Throw-ins: how to read foot placement, hand movement and position
What to watch at a throw-in: the throwing technique, opponents’ distance and how delays are penalised.
Sources checked 2026-09-22
Throw-ins are frequent restarts, yet spectators often overlook them. The decision whether to maintain possession or quickly send it forward begins at that moment. If you know the rules first, it is easier to understand why the thrower is being asked to move position.
When does the ball go out?
If the whole of the ball crosses the touchline, the opponents of the player who last touched it are awarded the throw-in. It is the same whether it goes out on the ground or crosses in the air. From a single angled camera, it can be difficult to distinguish between part of the ball still being on the line and the whole ball having crossed.
At the moment of throwing, the thrower must face the field of play and have part of each foot on the touchline or on the ground outside the touchline. The ball must be thrown with both hands from behind and over the head. The throw-in must be taken from the point where the ball went out, so you cannot move to any convenient spot without restriction.
How far opponents must stand back
Opponents must be at least 2 metres from the point on the touchline where the throw-in is to be taken. The ball is in play as soon as it enters the field of play. The thrower must not touch the ball again before it has touched another player. To throw the ball and then collect it yourself, another player must touch it first—for example, through a pass to a teammate.
A goal is not awarded if the ball goes directly into the goal from a throw-in without anyone touching it. If it enters the opponent's goal, a goal kick is awarded; if it enters the thrower's own goal, a corner kick is awarded to the opponent. The ball entering the goal is therefore not enough on its own; the type of restart also matters.
The 2026/27 IFAB Laws introduce a visible five-second countdown when a team unfairly delays taking a throw-in. If the throw-in has not been taken when the countdown ends, it is awarded to the opposing team. Do not assume that every throw-in automatically starts a five-second count as soon as the ball is in hand. Check the version of the laws and the procedures used by the relevant competition.
In the next match you watch, do not just watch the thrower alone, but also watch the two teammates who are going to receive the ball. When one offers a short option and another runs further away, you can see that the thrower has more options. By considering the rules and the tactical movement separately, even an ordinary restart becomes interesting.
When assessing a possible foul throw, check the feet’s contact with the ground at the moment the ball is released. If you only look at the image of one foot lifting after the throw, you may get the sequence of events wrong. When you study it yourself, divide it into three parts: before the throw, at release, and after release. Only by looking at the player's whole body movement can you say what you definitely saw.
Difficulty finding a receiver is also something to analyse as part of the team’s play. If three teammates all come together near the thrower, look at how they can create space. Note when one turns back to provide a return pass and another runs forward. Then, comparing with another throw-in later, the question of whether they are repeating the same pattern or changing according to the situation will make the match more interesting.