throw-in

throw-in
Name	Throw-in
Sport	Association football
Governing body	Fédération Internationale de Football Association
First official	19th century
Typical use	Restart of play from touchline

throw-in

A throw-in is a method of restarting play in association football, rugby league, and other field sports, defined by rules that require a player to deliver the ball from the touchline with both hands while keeping both feet grounded. Originating in 19th-century codifications that involved figures such as representatives from The Football Association and contemporaries at Sheffield Football Club, the throw-in evolved alongside other restarts like the corner kick and goal kick, and has been influenced by rule committees of organizations such as the International Football Association Board and decisions taken at meetings involving delegates from England national football team authorities and clubs like Manchester United F.C. and AFC Ajax.

History

The modern throw-in traces to the early rules proposals debated at venues where members of The Football Association and figures connected to Cambridge University clubs met, with subsequent revisions debated in assemblies attended by representatives linked to Scottish Football Association and the Irish Football Association. Influential rule changes were often publicized in newspapers like The Times and discussed by administrators from clubs including Real Madrid CF, FC Barcelona, Liverpool F.C., and Juventus F.C.. International tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup and continental competitions administered by UEFA and CONMEBOL prompted clarifications by the International Football Association Board, while laws influenced refereeing practice in matches officiated by referees from organizations like the English Football League and Major League Soccer.

Laws and Rules

Laws governing the throw-in appear in the official Laws of the Game maintained by the International Football Association Board and applied in competitions overseen by Fédération Internationale de Football Association and confederations like CONCACAF and AFC. Key requirements—two hands, both feet on or behind the touchline, delivery from behind the head—are enforced by match officials such as those accredited by the Union of European Football Associations and assessed using disciplinary protocols similar to those used in tournaments like the UEFA Champions League. Infractions can result in turnover to opponents or disciplinary measures recorded by match delegates from bodies like The Football Association and national federations including the Royal Spanish Football Federation and German Football Association.

Technique and Execution

Practitioners develop throwing technique in academies run by clubs such as FC Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain F.C. with coaching input referencing trainers from institutions like La Masia and national youth programs associated with England national under-21 football team and Brazil national football team. Effective execution emphasizes biomechanics taught by sports scientists affiliated with universities such as Loughborough University and University of São Paulo, and utilizes drills popularized by coaches linked to Sir Alex Ferguson, Pep Guardiola, Jürgen Klopp, and José Mourinho. Teams often adapt throw routines learned in reserve matches and cup fixtures organized by associations like the English Football League Cup and DFB-Pokal.

Tactical and Strategic Use

Managers deploy throw-ins as tactical tools in matches involving clubs like Arsenal F.C., Chelsea F.C., AC Milan, and national teams such as Spain national football team and Germany national football team to create attacking opportunities, maintain possession, or waste time under tournament conditions in competitions like the UEFA Europa League and CONCACAF Gold Cup. Strategies include short throws to midfielders trained in possession systems advocated by coaches like Rinus Michels and Johan Cruyff, long throws functioning like set pieces emulated in matches featuring players with specialist roles akin to those at Stoke City F.C. under managers influenced by practitioners from Swansea City A.F.C. and Leeds United F.C.. Referees from bodies such as FIFA and UEFA monitor tactical infringements during throw-in sequences in international fixtures including the Copa América.

Variations and Related Restarts

Related restarts include the corner kick, goal kick, kick-in used historically in some regional codes, and the drop ball procedure applied after stoppages in tournaments like the FIFA World Cup and Olympic Games. Variants in other sports connect to maneuvers seen in rugby union lineouts and rugby league play-the-ball sequences, and to procedures in regional competitions overseen by federations such as CONMEBOL and AFC that sometimes trial experimental restarts approved by the International Football Association Board.

Notable Records and Incidents

High-profile incidents involving throw-ins have occurred in matches officiated in competitions such as the UEFA Champions League, Premier League, La Liga, and at events like the FIFA World Cup Final. Controversial decisions around throw-ins have prompted debate in media outlets and statements from clubs including Manchester City F.C., Real Madrid CF, and national associations like the Scottish Football Association. Records for longest throws and set-piece routines have been highlighted in matches featuring players who trained at academies like Clairefontaine and youth systems linked to Boca Juniors and River Plate, and have been subject to statistical analysis by organizations such as Opta Sports and commentators from broadcasters like BBC Sport and Sky Sports.

Category:Association football rules