Throw-in

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

It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Ball in and out of play. (Discuss)

A player performing a throw-in during a game.

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A throw-in is a method of restarting play in a game of association football (soccer).

1 Award
2 Procedure
3 Infringements
4 Strategy
5 External links

[edit] Award

A throw-in is awarded to the opponents of the team that last touched the ball, when the ball leaves the field of play by wholly crossing a side touch line (either on the ground or in the air).

[edit] Procedure

The throw-in is taken from the point where it crossed the touch line. Opposing players must remain at least 2m from the thrower until the ball is in play.

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 his 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. A player may not be penalised for being in an offside position direct from a throw-in.

The handspring throw in is a type of throw-in, rarely used in competitive games, where the player completes a front handspring while still holding onto the ball. This is used for long throw ins and for throw ins used a lot alike to a corner kick. This type of throw in follows all of the rules that the player must have both feet on the ground when he/she is releasing the ball, the ball is being thrown from behind the head, and the ball is being thrown with equal force by both hands. Strong abdominal muscles are required for this throw in.

[edit] 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 they 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.

[edit] Strategy

The optimal release angle for attaining maximum distance is about 30 degrees, according to researchers at Brunel University [1].

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 a direct free kick. Far throw-ins are relatively rare, however. Some players combine the throw-in with an acrobatics move for extra release speed: the flip throw-in [2].