Throw-in

A throw-in must be taken with both hands from behind and over the head, with both feet on or behind the touchline. An incorrect throw-in gives possession to the opposing team. New for 2026/27: a team that unfairly delays a throw-in loses it to their opponents after a five-second countdown.^11, ^13, ^14, ^15, ¹⁷

Key points

✓Both hands must be used, delivering from behind and over the head^11, ¹⁴
✓Both feet must be on or behind the touchline at the moment of release^11, ¹³
✓Cannot score directly from a throw-in^8, ^9, ¹⁰
✓Thrower cannot touch the ball again before another player does^16, ¹⁸
✓Foul throw gives possession to the opposing team¹⁵
✓Unfairly delaying a throw-in triggers a five-second visual countdown, and the throw is then awarded to the opponents^1, ^2, ^3, ^4, ^5, ¹⁷
✓Losing the throw is the punishment, a caution follows only if the player then excessively delays the restart as well^1, ^6, ¹⁷

Read the full rule

Scenarios

Scenario 1

One foot lifted during the throw

Foul

A player takes a throw-in but lifts their back foot off the ground at the moment of release.

Correct call: Foul throw. Both feet must be in contact with the ground at the point of release.

Common mistake: Allowing the throw because both feet were on the ground at the start of the motion. The feet must remain grounded at the moment the ball is released.

Law^11, ^13, ¹⁵

Scenario 2

Winning team dawdles over a throw-in late on

Foul

Leading 1-0 in the 88th minute, a player collects the ball for a throw-in and takes his time over it.

Correct call: The referee whistles and signals a five-second countdown, counting down visibly with a raised hand. If the throw is not taken within those five seconds, it is awarded to the opposing team.

Common mistake: Going straight to a yellow card. Since 2026/27 the first sanction is losing the throw, and a caution follows only if the player then excessively delays the restart on top of that.

Law^1, ^2, ^3, ^4, ^5, ^6, ¹⁷

Scenario 3

Ball thrown directly into the goal

No goal

A player takes a long throw-in that goes directly into the opponent's goal without any other player touching it.

Correct call: Goal kick. A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in.

Common mistake: Awarding a goal because the ball clearly crossed the line. The method of delivery makes it illegal.

Law^8, ⁹

The full rule

The throw-in is awarded when the ball fully crosses the touchline, either on the ground or in the air. The thrower must face the field, use both hands equally, deliver the ball from behind and over the head, and have part of both feet on the touchline or on the ground outside. Lifting a foot at the moment of release is a foul throw. A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in. If the ball enters the thrower's own goal directly, a corner is awarded. The thrower cannot touch the ball again until another player has, and doing so gives an indirect free kick, or a direct free kick if it was a handball offence. The significant change for 2026/27 is the countdown. If a player is unfairly delaying the taking of a throw-in for their team, the referee whistles and signals the start of a five-second countdown, counting the seconds down visually with a raised hand. If the throw-in has not been taken by the end of those five seconds, it is awarded to the opposing team. Note the order of sanctions, which is easy to get backwards: losing the throw is the primary punishment, not a caution. The offending player is cautioned only if they go on to excessively delay the restart after the throw-in has already been given to the opponents.^1, ^2, ^3, ^4, ^5, ^6, ^7, ^8, ^9, ^10, ^11, ^12, ^13, ^14, ^15, ^16, ^17, ^18, ¹⁹