Soccer Throw-In: Laws of the Game
What is a soccer throw-in? In soccer, a throw-in is a set piece and one of the most common ways to restart play after the ball goes out of bounds.
Soccer throw-in rules are defined by Law 15 in the Laws of The Game established by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), which are the official rules of soccer. In this blog post, I will explain everything you need to know about one of the most basic, but important soccer rules of them all, the soccer throw-in.
Image by Source
What is a Soccer Throw-in?
A soccer throw-in is a type of set piece used to restart play when the ball has gone out of bounds along the sidelines of the soccer field. The sidelines are the long sides of the field, and if the ball goes out of bounds through the goal lines, the lines behind the soccer goal, teams can be awarded either corner kicks or goal kicks, depending on which team kicked the ball out.
The throw-in is the most common way to restart play, and there is an average of 40-60 throw-ins per game, with teams losing possession about 50% of the time. A throw-in is awarded to the team that did not last touch the ball out of bounds, and it is up to the assistant referee to communicate with the main referee to determine who last touched the ball out of bounds.
When Is A Throw-In Awarded?
A soccer throw-in is awarded whenever the ball crosses over the sidelines, also known as touchlines, whether on the ground or in the air. For the soccer ball to be considered out of bounds, the whole ball must cross the line; if even part of the ball is on the line, the ball is still in play.
If the entire ball goes out of play through the sidelines, the opposing team will get a throw-in to restart play. When a throw-in is awarded, anyone from the team can take the throw-in, and it must take place where the ball left the field of play.
Soccer Throw-in Rules
Once the throw-in is awarded, there is a specific way to take legal throw-ins, and if teams fail to throw the ball legally, the other team gets a chance to take the throw-in. During a throw-in, the taker does not have to throw the ball forward, and they can throw it in any direction, but there are some important rules to follow, such as:
- Have proper foot position – Both feet must stay on the ground while throwing the ball
- Throw the ball with both hands from behind the head
- Do not step into the field as the ball is being thrown
- Do not touch the ball until someone else has touched it first
Players can perform a running throw to get more power, but they do not have to. If they do a running throw-in, they must follow the same rule for a legal throw-in. If the thrower commits a foul throw, the opposing team gets an opportunity to restart play from the same position.
Goalkeeper Rules Regarding Throw-Ins
When it comes to goalkeepers, there are certain rules players must follow to avoid breaking them and getting punished.
- If the throw-in goes towards the thrower’s goal, their goalkeeper is not allowed to pick up the ball with their hands, and the other team will get an indirect free kick
- If the throw-in goes towards the opponent’s goal, the opposing goalkeeper is allowed to try to catch the ball. If the ball enters the goal line after the goalkeeper has touched it in an attempt to stop it, the throw-in counts as a goal.
Summary
In conclusion, understanding the soccer throw-in rules and knowing how to throw a soccer ball are among the most fundamental skills for new players, youth and adults, coaches, and fans of the game. In this blog, I covered everything you need to know about one of the most important parts of the game, the soccer throw-in.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the different ways of restarting play in soccer?
The different ways to restart play in soccer include:
- Throw in
- Corner Kick
- Penalty Kick
- Goal Kick
- Free kicks
- Indirect free kick
- Direct free kick
In soccer, can you score directly from a throw-in?
Yes, in soccer, you can score directly from a throw-in, but only if the goalkeeper touches the ball first, such as during an attempt to save it. If no one touches the ball and it goes in from the throw, the goal does not count.
How can I learn more about the game?
To learn more about soccer, the most important thing is to join a team and play the game as much as possible. If possible, analyze high-level games as much as you can and your own games as well by recording them with a soccer camera. Also read soccer books, listen to podcasts and interviews, watch soccer documentaries, and watch some movies, TV shows, and anime.
