Reread OP!

Then most likely I would have nothing here. I agree that it is one of those had to be there situations. If you were to call anything though it would be a technical

This initially made it sound to me like both players were OOB. I know now that they were not.

Sorry, I didn't make it clear enough, edited OP.

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10-3-2: A player shall not: Purposely and/or deceitfully delay returning after legally being out of bounds.

10.3.2 SITUATION A: A1 has the ball out of bounds for a throw-in. A1 completes the throw-in to A2 and then purposefully delays his/her return by taking four or five steps along the end line prior to coming inbounds behind a screen set by A3 and A4. A1 gets a return pass from A2 and takes an unchallenged try for goal. RULING: A1 is charged with a technical foul for purposefully delaying his/her return to the court following the throw-in. A1’s movement out of bounds along the end line was to take advantage of the screen and return to the court in a more advantageous position.

Original post states, "one or two steps", while the casebook play states, "four or five steps". Is this a significant difference?

Here is the rule reference for you also..... 10-3-2 A player shall not: Purposely and/or deceitfully delay returning after legally being out of bounds.

The case book also says "purposefully delays." There's no delay here.

I could allow one step by A1, because A1 could still be considered to be inside the three foot wide space, two steps would be questionable, in my mind, but three, or more steps, like the four, or five steps, mentioned in the casebook play, would be gaining an advantage, and would thus be illegal, in my opinion. It's that second step that would have me thinking, "Hmm?".

The rule doesn't say a player has to step directly inbounds. It says the thrower can't "purposely and/or deceitfully delay." Where is the purpose, the deceit or the delay in what you describe?

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By the rulebook, you may be correct, but the casebook is considered to be a supplement to the rule book to help us interpret the rules, and should not be ignored. Four, or five steps are illegal, according to the casebook. I would have no problem with a single step being legal. It's the second step, or third step, that would have me scratching my head, and thinking, "Hmm". I'm not sure how I would call it, maybe I had to have been there.

Side note. I do agree with Snaqwells, this should be a violation, like the player that purposely leaves the court to go around a screen. Seems like similar situations, players being in places they're not supposed to be to get an advantage involving a screen. Penalty should be the same in both cases.