Throw-in

For Boundary Throw-in, see Laws of Australian Football.

A player performing a throw-in during a game.

A throw-in is a method of restarting play in a game of Association football.

Procedure

The throw-in is taken from the point where the ball crossed the touch-line. The throw-in is taken by the opponents of the player who last touched the ball when it crossed the touch-line, either on the ground or in the air. Opposing players may stand at any distance from the thrower but no closer than 2m (2yds), so long as they are still on the pitch. A player may take a throw in at a distance further back from the touch-line, and, typically, a referee will tolerate small discrepancies between the position where the ball crossed the touch-line and the position of the throw in.

At the moment of delivering the ball, the thrower must face the field of play, have both feet on the ground on or outside the touch line, and use both hands to deliver the ball from behind and over their head.

The ball becomes in play as soon as it enters the field of play.

A goal may not be scored directly from a throw-in, although if a goalkeeper attempts to stop a throw-in from entering the net and in doing so parries the ball into the net, the resulting goal may be credited to the thrower. A player may not be penalised for being in an offside position direct from a throw-in.

Handspring throw-in

A player performing a handspring throw-in

The handspring throw-in, flip throw-in, or somersault throw-in is a type of throw-in, rarely used in competitive games, where the player completes a front handspring (somersault) while holding the ball. Instead of landing on the hands during the handspring, the player's weight is momentarily supported entirely by the ball. The handspring throw-in can provide greater ball speed and thus may be used for long throw-ins, somewhat similar to a corner kick. This type of throw-in follows all of the rules that require the player to have both feet on the ground when he/she is releasing the ball, the ball is thrown from behind the head, and the ball is thrown with equal force by both hands. Strong abdominal muscles are required for this throw-in.

Though it was Steve Watson of Newcastle United that was famed for this technique and was able to throw the ball over 30 m, it was an all-American collegiate from LaCrosse, Wisconsin's, Viterbo University V-Hawks, Christian Hricinak, who first developed and introduced the technique in 1985-86. It was so controversial at the time, referees scratched their heads in sheer amazement and disbelief wondering if the throw-in was legal. Some allowed the throw-in and some didn't. Eventually, due to so much controversy and disruption on the field, Christian's coach, Mark Botterill, reluctantly restricted the technique.

One of the noted players who can perform this is Brazilian Leah Lynn Gabriela Fortune, who has been noted to be able to throw over 30 yards (27 m) with the technique.

Infringements

If an opposing player fails to respect the required distance before the ball is in play or otherwise unfairly distracts or impedes the thrower he or she may receive a caution (yellow card).

If the thrower fails to deliver the ball as per the required procedure, or delivers it from a point other than where the ball left the field of play, the throw-in is awarded to the opposing team.

It is an offence for the thrower to touch the ball a second time until it has been touched by another player; this is punishable by an indirect free kick to the defending team from where the offence occurred, unless the second touch was also a more serious handling offence, in which case it is punishable by a direct free kick or penalty kick, as appropriate.

Strategy

Stoke City's Rory Delap delivering a long throw.

The optimal release angle for attaining maximum distance is about 30 degrees, according to researchers at Brunel University. This angle balances the objectives of maximizing height, which allows the ball more time to travel horizontally, while minimizing air resistance, which slows the ball thus reducing its horizontal distance.

Delivering the ball into the penalty area from a long distance with a throw-in can be a great attacking skill, similar to a corner kick or an indirect free kick. This is a difficult distance to reach with a throw-in, and the ability to do so is a valuable skill. In particular, Rory Delap, a midfielder for Stoke City is known for his long-throw abilities having resulted in many goals for Stoke. In fact, the danger factor of Delap's long throw-ins for Stoke have resulted in opponents preferring to put the ball out for a corner rather than for a throw-in, also especially because there is no off-side rule in a throw-in play.

Historical origins of the throw-in

The modern throw-in comes from the nineteenth century English public school football games. In these codes of football a variety of methods of returning the ball into play from touch were used. The modern throw-in draws upon various aspects of a number early English school games. For example, returning the ball by throwing it out was part of the Rugby and Cheltenham football rules. Like the modern throw-in the direction was not specified. The Sheffield rules instigated the throw in of the ball at right angles by the opposite side to the one that played it into touch. The two handed throw in—called line-out—is part of rugby union football. That the first side reaching the ball must throw it out (at right angles, in this case) was part of the Football Association rules and the Rossall rules.

External links

• FIFA Laws of the Game (see Law 15)
• Q&A on Throw Ins(from AskTheRef.com)