On this page you will find the rules about The Throw In. To find other rules of soccer the pull down list located at the top left corner of this page will allow for easy navigating to other soccer rules. If you wish to just download the PDF that contains all the rules, Click here. The rules of the game are subject to change so check with FIFA to ensure these rules are up to date.

A throw-in is a method of restarting play.

A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in.

A throw-in is awarded:
• when the whole of the ball passes over the touch line, either on
the ground or in the air
• from the point where it crossed the touch line
• to the opponents of the player who last touched the ball

Procedure
At the moment of delivering the ball, the thrower:
• faces the fi eld of play
• has part of each foot either on the touch line or on the ground
outside the touch line
• uses both hands
• delivers the ball from behind and over his head

The thrower may not touch the ball again until it has touched another
player.

All opponents must stand no less than 2 meters from the point at
which the throw-in is taken.

The ball is in play immediately after it enters the field of play.

Infringements/Sanctions
Throw-in taken by a player other than the goalkeeper
If, after the ball is in play, the thrower touches the ball a second time
(except with his hands) before it has touched another player:
• an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to
   be taken from the place where the infringement occurred

If, after the ball is in play, the thrower deliberately handles the ball
before it has touched another player:
• a direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be
   taken from the place where the infringement occurred
• a penalty kick is awarded if the infringement occurred inside the
   thrower’s penalty area

Throw-in taken by the goalkeeper
If, after the ball is in play, the goalkeeper touches the ball a second
time (except with his hands), before it has touched another player:
• an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to
   be taken from the place where the infringement occurred

If, after the ball is in play, the goalkeeper deliberately handles the ball
before it has touched another player:
• a direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the infringement
   occurred outside the goalkeeper’s penalty area, the kick to
   be taken from the place where the infringement occurred
• an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the
   infringement occurred inside the goalkeeper’s penalty area, the
   kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred

If an opponent unfairly distracts or impedes the thrower:
• he is cautioned for unsporting behaviour and shown the yellow
   card