Intentional foul on throw-in

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

"A foul is an infraction of the rules which is charged and is penalized."

4-19-1 ...A personal foul is a player foul which involves illegal contact with
an opponent while the ball is live, which hinders an opponent from performing
normal defensive and offensive movements.

So in order for the foul to be charged and penalized, there must be illegal contact and that contact needs to hinder the opponent.

So how do we know if the contact hindered the opponent? I would argue that since the players of the non-thrower team are not allowed by rule to cross the boundary plane there is no possible way that the thrower can be expected to play through any contact while performing the throw-in. The contact itself changes the normal circumstances of the throw-in. Therefore, any touch by a defensive player in this case meets the definition of a foul.

At least that's my thinking.

I also believe that this was the intent, but I think it is a stretch to try to legitimize the wording. The defender, in theory, could slightly contact the throwers left arm as he makes a pass with his right arm. How is this a hindrance? It would be no trouble for the thrower to play through the contact. Furthermore, this slight contact might take place just as the thrower's teammate breaks free after which he slams home the winning dunk. Are we allowed to no call this contact?

If not, I suggest an editorial revision.

9-4-10 penalty: If an opponent.....reaches through the......boundary-line plane and contacts the thrower...........