IFAB Laws of the Game · Law 15
Law 15: The Throw-in
Throw-in procedure, illegal throws, and the restrictions on scoring directly or being offside from a throw-in.
Law 15 practice questions
6 questions on
The Throw-in, each with the correct answer and an explanation of the
reasoning. These are drawn from the free question bank.
Question 1
Law 15
intro
Which describes a correctly taken throw-in?
A
Facing the field, part of each foot on or behind the touch line, delivering with both hands from behind and over the head
Correct answer
B
Facing the field, both feet fully outside the touch line, using both hands
C
Facing any direction, both feet on the ground, using both hands from over the head
D
Facing the field, one foot on the touch line, delivering with both hands from chest height
Why
Law 15.2: the thrower faces the field, has part of each foot on the touch line or on the ground outside it, uses both hands, and delivers the ball from behind and over the head from the point where it left the field.
Question 2
Law 15
standard
A throw-in is delivered directly into the thrower's own goal without anyone touching it. What is the decision?
A
A corner kick to the opposing team
Correct answer
B
A goal to the opposing team
C
The throw-in is retaken
D
A goal kick to the thrower's team
Why
Law 15: a goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in. If the ball enters the thrower's own goal, a corner kick is awarded; if it enters the opponents' goal, a goal kick is awarded.
Question 3
Law 15
intro
An attacker in an offside position receives the ball directly from a team-mate's throw-in. What is the decision?
A
Play continues — there is no offside offence directly from a throw-in
Correct answer
B
Offside — an indirect free kick to the defending team
C
Offside only if the attacker is inside the penalty area
D
The throw-in is retaken
Why
Law 11.3: there is no offside offence if a player receives the ball directly from a throw-in, goal kick or corner kick.
Question 4
Law 15
standard
The thrower takes a legal throw-in and then plays the ball again before it has touched any other player. What is the decision?
A
An indirect free kick to the opposing team
Correct answer
B
A throw-in to the opposing team
C
A direct free kick to the opposing team
D
The throw-in is retaken
Why
Law 15: if the thrower touches the ball again before it has touched another player, an indirect free kick is awarded (a direct free kick or penalty kick if the second touch was a handball offence). An improperly taken throw, by contrast, is awarded to the opposing team.
Question 5
Law 15
intro
How far must opponents stand from the point where a throw-in is being taken?
A
At least 2 m (2 yds)
Correct answer
B
At least 9.15 m (10 yds)
C
At least 1 m (1 yd)
D
At least 5.5 m (6 yds)
Why
Law 15 requires opponents to remain at least 2 m from the point on the touchline where the throw-in is taken, a much shorter distance than the 9.15 m required at free kicks and corners.
Question 6
Law 15
standard
A throw-in is not taken correctly — for example, the thrower's feet are fully over the touchline. What is the outcome?
A
The throw-in is awarded to the opposing team
Correct answer
B
The throw-in is simply retaken by the same team
C
Play continues if the error is minor
D
A dropped ball is used instead
Why
Law 15: unlike some other restarts, an incorrectly taken throw-in is not retaken by the same team — it is awarded to the opposing team to throw in instead.