[just another ref]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Fair point. But both teams deserve to know during the timeout, not after the timeout, where the ball will be handed or bounced in. That's why mechanics dictate that we stand on that spot with the ball.

Once the ball is handed or bounced, the offensive team can go anywhere along the endline that it wants to go.

What spot? The throw-in spot? There is no throw-in spot. The throw-in is from anywhere along the end line. The throw in starts when the ball is handed to the thrower or caught by the thrower if it is bounced. The thrower should be allowed to start the throw-in where he chooses. It is up to the official to get him the ball.