A throw-in is the method of restarting play when the whole of the ball crosses a touchline, and it is awarded to the opponents of the player who last touched the ball. The thrower must use both hands to deliver the ball from behind and over the head while keeping both feet on the ground. Governed by Law 15 of the IFAB Laws of the Game, it is the only time an outfield player is allowed to handle the ball during open play.
When a throw-in is awarded
A throw-in is given when the entire ball passes over one of the touchlines, the long lines running down each side of the pitch, whether on the ground or in the air. The team that did not touch the ball last receives the throw. So if a defender’s clearance is charged down and rolls out off an attacker, the defending team throws it in.
Unlike the goal line, where a ball going out leads to a corner or goal kick, the touchline always produces a throw-in. It is the most common restart in a match, happening dozens of times per game.
How to take a throw-in correctly
The technique is strictly defined. At the moment of releasing the ball, the thrower must meet every one of the following conditions:
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Face the field | The thrower must be facing the pitch |
| Feet | Part of each foot on the ground, on or behind the touchline |
| Hands | Both hands used to hold and deliver the ball |
| Delivery | Ball thrown from behind and over the head in one motion |
| Position | Taken from where the ball crossed the line |
If any of these is broken, for example lifting a foot, using one hand, or slinging the ball from beside the head, the referee calls a “foul throw” and hands the throw-in to the opposing team from the same spot.
Key restrictions
Two exceptions make throw-ins distinctive. First, you cannot score directly from a throw-in. If the ball is thrown straight into the opponents’ net, the restart is a goal kick; if it goes into the thrower’s own net, the opponents get a corner. Second, there is no offside directly from a throw-in, which lets teammates receive the ball in advanced positions without being penalized.
As with other restarts, the thrower cannot touch the ball a second time before another player does. A second touch brings an indirect free kick to the opposing team, and a deliberate handball on that second touch can lead to a direct free kick or a penalty kick. Opponents must also stand at least 2 meters (about 2 yards) from the point of the throw; standing too close or trying to distract the thrower can bring a caution.
Ball in play
The ball is in play as soon as it enters the field of play from the throw. If the ball does not enter the field, or the throw is taken illegally, it is retaken by the same team unless the technique was a foul, in which case possession switches. A ball that is released and touches the ground outside the field before entering is retaken.
Foul throws and common mistakes
Foul throws happen more often than casual viewers realize, particularly among younger or less experienced players. The most frequent errors are lifting one or both feet off the ground during the release, delivering the ball from the side of the head instead of straight over it, and failing to use both hands with equal force so the ball is effectively slung. Each of these gives the throw to the opposing team.
Players attempting a long throw are especially prone to foul throws, because generating extra distance tempts them to drag a foot or twist their body. Referees watch for a smooth, two-handed action over the head with both feet grounded on or behind the line at the moment of release.
Why throw-ins matter
Though often treated as a minor restart, throw-ins can be a genuine attacking weapon. A powerful long throw into the penalty area functions much like a corner or a cross, and some players specialize in it, giving their team an extra set-piece threat. Even short throws are tactically important, as they let a team keep possession, switch the point of attack, or draw opponents out of position.
Speed matters too. A quick throw-in taken before opponents can reorganize is a simple way to launch a counterattack or exploit space, which is why alert players grab the ball and restart immediately rather than waiting. Conversely, a team protecting a lead may take throw-ins slowly and deliberately to run down the clock.
Because throw-ins happen so frequently, the quality of a team’s restarts affects how well they retain the ball across a match. Knowing which roles tend to take them, and how defenders position themselves to intercept, reveals a layer of tactics hidden inside the game’s simplest-looking restart.
Frequently asked questions
How do you take a legal throw-in?
The thrower must face the field, have part of both feet on the ground on or behind the touchline, use both hands, and deliver the ball from behind and over the head. Breaking any of these rules is a foul throw, and the throw passes to the opposing team.
Can you score directly from a throw-in?
No. A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in. If the ball is thrown straight into the opponents’ goal, the restart is a goal kick. If it goes into the thrower’s own goal, the opponents receive a corner kick.
Is there offside from a throw-in?
No. A player cannot be penalized for offside if they receive the ball directly from a throw-in. This is a specific exception in the Laws of the Game, similar to corner kicks and goal kicks.
What is a foul throw?
A foul throw is an illegally taken throw-in, for example lifting a foot off the ground, throwing with one hand, or not releasing the ball from behind the head. The referee awards the throw-in to the opposing team from the same spot.
Can the thrower play the ball twice?
No. The thrower cannot touch the ball again until it has touched another player. If they do, an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team; a deliberate handball second touch can bring a direct free kick or penalty.
Where must a throw-in be taken?
A throw-in is taken from the point where the ball crossed the touchline. Taking it from the wrong position can lead the referee to order it retaken or, in some cases, award it to the opponents.
