10) The Throw off
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4. For the throw-off at the start of each half (incl. any period of overtime), all players must be in their own half of the court.
However, for the throw-off after a goal has been scored, the opponents of the thrower are allowed to be in both halves of the court.
In both cases, however, the opponents must be at least 3 metres away from the player taking the throw-off (15:4, 15:9, 8:7c).
5.
a) The throw-off is taken in any direction from the throw-off area. It is preceded by a whistle signal, following which it must be taken within three seconds (13:1a, 15:7 3rd paragraph).
b) The whistle signal by the referees can be given when the ball is inside the throw-off area and the thrower has at least one foot inside the throw-off area. (15:6).
c) The thrower is not allowed to cross the throw-off area line with any part of the body until the throw-off is considered taken (13:1a, 15:7 3rd paragraph).
d) The thrower is allowed to move inside the throw-off area, but he is not allowed to bounce the ball after the whistle signal (13:1a, 15:7 3rd paragraph).
e) The execution can be done running. It is not allowed to jump during the execution of the throw-off (13:1a, 15:7 3rd paragraph).
f. The throw-off is considered taken when either
- the ball has first left the hand of the thrower and then has completely crossed the throw-off area line; or
- the ball was passed and touched or controlled by a teammate, although it occurred inside the throw-off area.
g) The teammates of the thrower are not allowed to cross the centre line prior to the whistle signal, except if they are inside the throw-off area (15:6).
h) The players of the defending team must be outside the throw-off area and are not allowed to touch the ball or the opponents inside the throw-off area until the throw is considered taken (15:4, 8:7c). They are allowed to be directly outside the throw-off area.