When it comes to the game of football, there are a lot of nuances and rules that can be confusing, even for the most dedicated fan. One of the most common questions that come up is whether or not a throw in can count as an assist. The answer is a bit more complicated than a simple yes or no, and it really depends on the specific situation.
What is a Throw In?
A throw in is a restart of play that occurs when the ball goes out of bounds. It is typically taken by the team that did not cause the ball to go out of bounds. The player taking the throw in must throw the ball with both hands from behind the head over the line that marks the out of bounds area. The throw in is taken at the point that the ball crossed the line.
How Does an Assist Work?
An assist is a statistic that is awarded to a player who helps set up a goal. It is awarded when a pass or a cross leads directly to a goal being scored. In some cases, a player can be awarded an assist even if they don’t directly pass the ball to the scorer, but they set up the goal in some way.
Does a Throw In Count as an Assist?
The short answer is no, a throw in does not count as an assist. The reason for this is that a throw in does not directly lead to a goal being scored. The ball is simply put back into play, and it is up to the players to make something happen with it.
There are, however, cases where a throw in can indirectly lead to a goal being scored. If a player takes a throw in and the ball winds up directly leading to a goal being scored, then the player can be credited with an assist. This is a very rare occurrence and it is usually only seen in the highest levels of play.
Conclusion
To summarize, a throw in does not count as an assist. A throw in is simply a restart of play and does not directly lead to a goal being scored. There are, however, cases where a throw in can indirectly lead to a goal being scored, and in those cases the player can be credited with an assist.