Refresher on footwork for throw-ins?

[pasoccerdave]

I need a refresher course on footwork for throw ins. From my memory, I think both feet need to be on the ground for the throw, usually dragging one at the time of the follow through?

I saw a game this weekend where a long thrower had distinctly "happy feet" that stutter-stepped as he threw. Never were both feet on the ground at the same time. I suggested to my seatmates the throw was illegal. Once I raised the issue, we couldn't remember the rule for certain. Can someone here help me (us) out?

Many thanks.

[HoldenMan]

both feet need to be on the ground as the throw is being taken (ie when the ball is released). He can do whatever he likes with his feet until then. Dragging the foot isn't required, but is permissible; both feet can be stationary.

Also, both feet must be on or behind the line. This means the toes of both feet, or the frontmost foot, may be on the field with his heel on the line. Heck, if the player stands still taking the throw with just an inch of his foot on the line and the rest on the field it's a fair throw - hoever if that heel gets lifted then his foot is no longer on the line, hence foul throw.


A lot of referees aren't going to be too pedantic though - the only thing I don't exercise some leniency with is the feet on or behind the line.

[njref]

both feet need to be on the ground as the throw is being taken (ie when the ball is released). He can do whatever he likes with his feet until then. Dragging the foot isn't required, but is permissible; both feet can be stationary.

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A lot of referees aren't going to be too pedantic though - the only thing I don't exercise some leniency with is the feet on or behind the line.

Do you sometimes treat lifting the back foot off the ground as "trifling," and if so, how much leeway do you give?

For u-10 to u-14 travel games, I normally call a foul throw if I can clearly see air, because otherwise it I don't know where to draw the line. That typically means 2-3 foul throws a game for footwork. Am I being too much of a stickler or too easy?

[Ref Flunkie]

I call it if I can see a definite seperation between foot and ground, and if it appears to be caused by the thower, not just if it happens to bounce off the ground. I call more foul throws for not going far enough behind the head then I do for lifting the foot.

[IASocFan]

I've called one foul throw in this fall season. A bad leg lift. Anything close to over the head works for me. The idea is to get the game restarted. In a tournament, I waved off an AR flag for over the head, but it looked good enough for me. Some guy, I'd never met and was probably associated with the other team, told me he was an assessor and that I shouldn't have waved him off.

[ref47]

for the younger kids - make them learn how to properly take a throwin. but, even then, get the game moving. donn't be excessively technical. after u14 through adults - unless there was a definite advantage being gained by the "illegal" throwin, it was probably trifling.

and, by the by, holdenman, the law does not say the complete foot needs to be on the ground (or on the line). remember, the line is actually a vertical plane, so if the foot is on the ground (toes) and the heal is above the line, it should be legal. and unless you are the ar sighting down the line, how would you ever be certain one way or the other.

[Ref Flunkie]

for the younger kids - make them learn how to properly take a throwin. but, even then, get the game moving. donn't be excessively technical. after u14 through adults - unless there was a definite advantage being gained by the "illegal" throwin, it was probably trifling.


Yup this is where I am. 14 and under I make them do it somewhat correctly. If they make it past the perpendicular of the top of their head, I'm happy, but believe me, even at 14 years old I've seen some "interesting" throw ins that just had to be called.

[pasoccerdave]

The original case I cited was from a HS game. The throw is a long one, going into the goal mouth, thus becoming a dangerous goal scoring opportunity at every occasion. Because it was happening against my team, I noticed it. If it were one of my own guys, I might make a habit of talking to the person next to me at each throw, if you know what I mean. :D

[HoldenMan]

and, by the by, holdenman, the law does not say the complete foot needs to be on the ground (or on the line). remember, the line is actually a vertical plane, so if the foot is on the ground (toes) and the heal is above the line, it should be legal. and unless you are the ar sighting down the line, how would you ever be certain one way or the other.

But in that case the foot would be OVER the line, not ON the line. At least, that's how my assoc. interprets it.

Realistically this is very rarely an issue anyway.

[Crowdie]

Part of both feet must be on or behind the touchline when the ball is released. From your description the toes of one foot are touching the ground infront of the touchline with the middle and heel of the foot above the line. That means that no part of one foot is touching the touchline or the ground behind it so the throw in is illegal.

"However, remember that if the player raises his heels off the ground as he throws the ball, and the front parts of his feet are inside the field of play, it is a foul throw as he does not have part of both feet on or behind the line."

From "The Soccer Referee's Manual" by David Ager - FA Licensed Referee Instructor