THERE is one Law change this season which has taken me some time to understand what it means.

This concerns the throw-in, so let me tell you what the Law said before this season.

All opponents must stand at least two metres (two yards) from the point at which the throw-in is taken.

And now let me give you the Law as it now stands.

All opponents must stand at least two metres (two yards) from the point on the touchline where the throw-in is to be taken.

So what’s the difference?

It seems to revolve around the fact not all players step up to the touchline to take the throw.

The law says, ‘At the time of throwing the player must have part of each foot on the touchline or on the ground outside the touchline.’

However, sometimes players throw it standing well back, usually to take it quickly. As the law stood, opposing players could also go and stand off the field of play, providing they remained less than two metres from the thrower.

So now they can only stand where the throw-in is to be taken and the law says the ball must be thrown in from the point it leaves the field of play. However, it doesn’t say that the thrower has to stand there.

In fact, the law accepts the throw can be taken from further back, providing it crosses the touchline at the point it went out, by saying that if the ball touches the ground before it reaches the field of play, the throw has to be retaken.

Wouldn’t it be better to say opposing players must remain at least two metres from the point at which the ball left the field of play?

After all, that is where it has to come in. Alternatively it could say the thrower must stand up to the line.

A change last year, prevented players from sitting or kneeling to throw the ball in.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see another change next year.