The ball goes into touch off a green player right at mid-field - it is a throw-in for blue at the half-way (center) line.
Blue player #4 takes a few steps back and runs facing the field toward the green goal. As she approaches the half-way line, she twists her torso and throws the ball toward her own goal, such that her torso and her feet are at almost a 90 degree angle. The ball was thrown-in with both hands and did start from behind her head and was released over her head.
a) play, no problems
b) The direction of the throw was not the same direction as her feet, so it is a improper throw-in and the result is a throw-in for green.
c) Improper throw-in, but blue retakes the throw
d) Indirect free kick for green at the location where the ball touches a player or the ground, as this is an example of trickery.
e) same as d) with the additional action that the blue player #4 is cautioned.
Answer:
The throw in is legal. The only requirements for the throw-in are
(i) faces the field of play
(ii) has part of each foot either on the touch line or on the ground outside the touch line
(iii) holds the ball with both hands
(iv) delivers the ball from behind and over his (her) head
(v) delivers the ball from the point where it left the field of play
Since she threw the ball back toward her keeper, she is clearly facing the field of play. Her feet, in fact, are also facing the field of play, although at a different direction.
Now, a twist on the twist…
The ball is released as mentioned above but the referee notices that the ball has significant spin. Any call?
No – the ball must be delivered using both hands and over the head, but there is no requirement that the force exerted by each hand is the same. Therefore, it is perfectly legal for the ball to have spin. |