New five-second throw-in countdown – what should teams expect?

The countdown is used when the referee judges that a player or team is unfairly delaying the throw-in. It is not an automatic five seconds every time the ball leaves the pitch. The referee signals and visually counts the five seconds. If the throw is still not taken, possession is awarded to the opponents. A brief pre-match explanation is helpful while teams are learning the change. The referee can also communicate clearly when they believe delay has begun. A child retrieving the ball or genuinely looking for a normal option is not automatically delaying. The referee manages the context. Coaches should prepare players by creating quick support early and making sure more than one player is willing to take the throw. The aim is to remove deliberate delay, not make young players panic through every restart. Clear communication is sensible. The referee can tell the player to restart, then signal and begin the visible count if the delay continues. The precise management depends on the circumstances, but the countdown itself is the clear warning. Coaches should not expect repeated informal warnings once it has started.