Throw-in
The method of restarting football when the ball fully crosses a side line, taken by throwing it back into play.
Overview
A throw-in is awarded to the team that did not last touch the ball before it crossed a side line. The thrower must use both hands, deliver the ball from behind and over the head, and keep part of both feet on or behind the touchline.
A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in, and the thrower may not touch the ball again until another player has played it. An improper technique gives the throw to the opposing team.
Key points
- Both hands must deliver the ball from behind and over the head.
- Part of both feet must stay on the ground on or behind the line.
- A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in.
- A foul throw hands possession to the opposition.
Where it’s used
Sports that use throw-in:
Related rules
Offside
A rule that prevents an attacker from gaining an advantage by being positioned too close to the opponents' goal ahead of the ball and the last defenders.
Handball offence
A foul in football committed when an outfield player deliberately handles or controls the ball with the hand or arm.
Direct and indirect free kicks
The two types of free kick awarded in football to restart play after a foul or other stoppage.
How it connects
The meaning-bearing relationships that place Throw-in in the wider knowledge graph — each one with the reason it exists.
Frequently learned together
Taught side by side in the same stage of a learning path.
- OffsideBoth are taught in the “Get to know the game” stage of the Football learning path.
- Handball offenceBoth are taught in the “Get to know the game” stage of the Football learning path.
- Direct and indirect free kicksBoth are taught in the “Get to know the game” stage of the Football learning path.
- Penalty kick awardBoth are taught in the “Get to know the game” stage of the Football learning path.
- Yellow and red cardsBoth are taught in the “Get to know the game” stage of the Football learning path.
Explore across the knowledge base
Follow the threads that connect Throw-in to the rest of SocialSportHub.
Strategies
Officiating
- RefereeThe primary on-field official who enforces the rules, controls play, penalises fouls, awards restarts, and blows the whistle to start and stop a match.
- Line JudgeA boundary-line official who calls whether the ball or player is in or out and flags foot faults, working under the head referee across many sports.
- Penalty SignalA standardized hand or flag signal an official uses to announce a foul, penalty, or restart so players, teammates, and spectators can read the call.
- Out-of-Bounds CallAn official's ruling that the ball or a player in possession has left the legal playing area, stopping play and handing a restart or possession to the opponent.
- AdvantageIn many sports, officials let play continue after a foul when stopping would help the offender, so the fouled team keeps the advantage it has gained.
Tactics
- Set-piece playRehearsed routines from a dead-ball situation such as a corner, free kick or throw-in used to create chances.
- Offside trapA defensive football tactic where the back line steps up together to leave an attacker offside.
- Wing playAttacking down the flanks and crossing the ball into the box to stretch the defence and create chances.
- High pressA football tactic where a team hunts the ball high up the pitch to win it back close to the opponent’s goal.
- Counter-attackWinning the ball and moving forward at speed to attack before the opponent can reorganise their defence.
Learning paths
Knowledge Atlas
Skills
- ThrowingThe skill of propelling the ball accurately and with control using the arm.
- ServingThe skill of putting the ball or shuttle into play to start a point or rally.
- Ball controlThe skill of receiving and settling the ball quickly so it is ready to use.
- HeadingThe skill of directing the ball with the head to pass, clear or attempt to score.
- PassingThe skill of moving the ball to a teammate accurately to keep possession and create chances.
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Everywhere else on the platform that covers Throw-in — assembled from what actually references it, so nothing here is a dead end.
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Open data and the whole-platform view of this subject.
How this page is maintained
- Content type
- Rule
- Provenance
- Tier A — evergreen educational
- Verified external sources
- 0
- Content updated
- 2026-07-09
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