Comments on: Whining About Law 15

By: marc

marc — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 05:06:43 +0000

I stumbled on this post while checking up on some more information regarding Rule 15.

I agree that the emphasis should be on restarting the game, and small infractions regarding throw-ins are trifling.

However, I find that habitual spinners are able to get such long distance on their throws because they are not actually throwing from above and *behind* the head. They only throw from above the head and are therefore able to place their dominant hand more behind the ball.

Try to get such a sideways spin with a proper throw-in from above and behind the head. It just is not possible.

By: Alex

Alex — Fri, 02 May 2008 16:16:38 +0000

It has to be a serious “oh my” for me to hit my whistle on a throw. Again my intention is to get the ball back in play and let the game begin to flow again.

I actually care more about the placement of the throw more. I tend to see players trying to grab and extra 10+ yards down the field on throws by simply starting their run at the spot.

By: Kevin Walter

Kevin Walter — Thu, 01 May 2008 19:21:37 +0000

Complaining about “bad” throw-ins is a common occurrence here in Illinois as well (and I’m sure it happens everywhere). Especially on throw-ins that are taken right in front of the benches, many coaches feel that if a throw-in is not of the perfect form that they teach their players, it must have been improperly taken and should be awarded to their own team. Like you said, the Laws say nothing about equal pressure from both hands, so a “spin” is perfectly legal, as long as it is delivered from behind the head.

Part of my pre-game on anything above U14 involves instructing my ARs to watch for improperly taken throw-ins, since I will be watching for misconduct by the players receiving the throw. (If my ARs are inexperienced–or over-experienced, I will casually remind them that spinning the ball is legal, and that they should mainly be watching for feet being raised.)

Also, if I do see an actual improperly taken throw-in, I look to see if the opponents will receive the ball cleanly and immediately. If so, deem the throw-in infraction trifling and allow play to continue. If not, call it back. Most players will appreciate you allowing the game to flow, rather than stopping the play on what many consider to be a technicality.