Question Number: 35918

Law 15 - The Throw In 5/22/2025

RE: Adult

Michael of Ipswich, Brisbane Australia asks...

Good afternoon,

This email is requesting RULE CLARIFICATION on a highly debated argument as of recent and I thought, why not message the source directly.

I currently play in the O30’s competition and have not played for approximately 6 years prior. In recent games, I have been penalised on multiple occasions for spinning the ball during a throw-in, despite using both hands, delivering from behind and over the head with both feet on or behind the line.

Google searches from secondary websites clearly state, that the ball CAN spin as long as all other aspects of the throw-in meets the guidelines. I have read IFAB 24/25 Laws of the Game document front to back and nowhere does is mention that spinning of the ball is an illegal

Can you please clear this highly contentious topic.


Kindest regards,

Michael

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Older referees will remember a time when it was interpreted that not using both hands in the throwing motion was deemed illegal and an incorrectly taken throw in.
Law 15 back in the day then stated that the thrower uses both hands and spin was a tell tale sign of not using both hands. That was considered implicit knowledge as most in the game saw it as a incorrectly taken throw in. It was not using both hands equally.
In recent times the wording in Law 15 was changed to throws with both hands so in many ways spin is not technically seen as illegal. That change was to try to make it simpler.
Old implicit knowledge is still in the mindset of older referees and as it is O30s it could be likely to be an older referee in the middle. Having said that an unusual throw action can look questionable to even younger referees and therefore getting called out as an incorrectly taken throw in.
For what it’s worth it is not going to matter what we opine as a referee on the day will make a call and a referee is not likely to get into a technical debate about what constitutes a correctly taken throw in during a game. If it is getting called in a game then the only viable solution in a game setting is to adjust accordingly by making it a more mainstream throwing action with no spin.

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Michael,

As you have correctly pointed out there is no specific prohibition or wording in the laws related to a spinning ball at a throw in. However, as my colleague ref McHugh mentions, spin on the ball was often seen in the past as a sign of an improperly-taken throw and some referees may still have that mindset.

Ultimately, since the law is not specific on the use of spin, a referee as the ultimate judge of facts related to play, can still choose to penalise for this if they want. And as my colleague also says, it's unlikely to prove very productive to try to argue the toss (pun intended) during the game with the official in charge.

So whether it's technically illegal or not, the fact remains that if you're getting called for it too frequently then it's probably better to take the path of least resistance and try your best to minimise the amount of spin you impart to the ball when taking a throw-in.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Michael.

It's an old throw in myth. It's never been true. The spin aspect, I can spin it with one hand or two hands. Doesn't really make any difference. The ball is to be delivered from behind and over the head. There's nothing to say that equal force must be used by both hands. It's just an excuse to apply a technical misapplication that's not necessary.

Also, there are players that play with one hand. Is it wise t o prevent them from Participating in the throw -in?? What we're trying to prevent is lobbying it like a hand grenade, much in the way a keeper does

Here's three other tidbits. of juicy misinformation that's often thrown out there for throw -ins! First, you can stand on the line with your feet inside the field of play. Is perfectly legal!

Second, there's nothing to say that the ball must travel a far distance. It can drop at your feet, provided you don't spike it.

Thirdly. if the ball. makes contact with the boundary line in the air. It doesn't have to come completely into. the field to be in play so the shouts if "Never in as it goes down the line mean nothing if it actually hovered and broke the plane on the inside of that line.

You can't prevent referees from doing what it is that they do.
You can agree to disagree and just kind of adapt for the duration of the match.
Cheers