Throw-in
A restart in which the ball is thrown back into play from the sideline after it has gone out of bounds.
Definition
In football (soccer) a throw-in is awarded when the whole of the ball crosses the touchline, given to the team that did not last touch it. The thrower must face the field, keep both feet on or behind the line, and deliver the ball with both hands from behind and over the head; breaking these conditions is a 'foul throw' and gives the throw to the opponents.
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. Basketball uses 'throw-in' for its own inbounds restart from the sideline or baseline, which follows different mechanics but serves the same purpose of returning the ball to live play.
Meaning by sport
This term is used differently across sports:
- Football
- A two-handed, over-the-head throw from the touchline after the ball goes out of play.
- Basketball
- An inbound pass from the sideline or baseline used to restart play.
Where you’ll hear “throw-in”
Sports that use this term:
Explore across the knowledge base
Follow the threads that connect Throw-in to the rest of SocialSportHub.
Officiating
- 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.
- 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.
- Foul callA foul call is an official's ruling that a player broke a rule of contact or conduct, triggering a penalty such as a free kick, free throw or penalty.
Rules
- Throw-inThe method of restarting football when the ball fully crosses a side line, taken by throwing it back into play.
- Direct and indirect free kicksThe two types of free kick awarded in football to restart play after a foul or other stoppage.
- Out of boundsThe rule that a ball or player leaving the marked playing area is out of play and possession is decided at the boundary.
- Backcourt violationA basketball rule breach for returning the ball into a team's own defensive half after it has crossed into the attacking half.
- Penalty strokes in golfStrokes added to a player’s score in defined situations, such as hitting out of bounds or losing a ball.
Go deeper with Throw-in
Everywhere else on the platform that covers Throw-in — assembled from what actually references it, so nothing here is a dead end.
Take it away
Open data and the whole-platform view of this subject.
How this page is maintained
- Content type
- Term
- Provenance
- Tier A — evergreen educational
- Verified external sources
- 0
- Content updated
- 2026-09-01
Evergreen, first-party explanation — it makes no claim that needs an external source. How we handle sources and reviews.