Throw-ins: feet, hands and the restart
A quick guide to the throw-in: how it is taken, where opponents stand and why it cannot score directly.
STRIKERS editorial illustration
Report / event date 2026-09-16
Watch the release
The thrower faces the pitch, uses both hands and brings the ball from behind the head. Part of each foot must touch the ground on or behind the touchline. Opponents must stay at least two metres from the restart point.
When play begins
The ball becomes live when it enters the pitch. The thrower must wait for another player to touch it before playing it again. A throw straight into the opposing goal produces a goal kick; straight into the thrower’s own goal, a corner.
A viewing idea
Before watching the ball, look at the nearest receiver. A change of direction can make a simple short throw useful. This is an editorial observation, not a guarantee of a particular outcome.
This short guide covers the basic restart. Consult IFAB Law 15 for all offences and the delay countdown procedure.
Source: IFAB · Law 15 ↗
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