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This actually happened today:  turnover at midfield,  A  picks it up and B is standing directly in front of him 2 yards away.  A throws the ball over B's head and it is intercepted by another B player 15 yards downfield.  I immediately throw and blow it dead.  Give the B player a minor penalty for not giving 5 yards on the restart.  I explain to B coach at the next break the reasoning for my call.  He buys it and we go on.  I assume I called it correctly.  Now I ask :
-same situation, but the A player now turns and throws the ball back to his goalie in the crease.  The goalie stunningly misses the pass and the ball goes in the goal with the B player within 5 yards of the thrower-in !  Goal or no goal ? 
-can we assume the following :  if any B player is within 5 yards of thrower-in A and this A player throws the ball ,upon hearing the whistle , the pass is 
  basically a free pass with no consequences to A ?
-IF the above is true then why  couldn't A , seeing that B is within 5 yards, simply throw the ball anywhere and get at worst a 30 second penalty against
  the B player/team.?
As you can see I have alot of time on my hands !

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DuBan's Answer:

Kratz's Answer:

McCarrick's Answer:

I believe you actually officiate this play incorrectly.  Rule 4-22 Art. 1. a.

There are two caveats we must understand when looking at this play to determine if in fact player B committed a delay of game foul
<ol>
 	<li>did player B allow the player A a "direct path" to the goal?</li>
 	<li> did player B defend player A ?</li>
</ol>
Items to consider strongly in your decision making process:

1: Was player B actively playing player A or was he simply standing there?  If  B is actively playing A I believe you have a delay of game, if not then you do not.

2. Did player B create a disadvantage for player A? If you believe he did create a disadvantage then you can have a delay of game foul assume player B is within 5 yards upon the restart and actively playing player A.

For both scenarios we have to look at whether Team B was <span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>actively engaged</strong></span> in playing Team A.

As officials we are not tasked with telling a player where to throw a ball, what would you do if a player passed the ball into the goal if no player was playing him? However if you deemed that  Team B was in fact playing Team A illegally and you have a flag down for a delay of game foul then you would not be allowed to have a goal based on Rule 4-9 Art 2. h

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Riti's Answer:

I agree with Rick.  Key words in the rule are "may be liable to be penalized" (being less than five yards does not mandate a penalty), "may not play the player" (standing still is not playing), "may not obstruct" (officials should not assume obstruction if there is no active engagement from player B).

4-5, 4-22 — Restart: In the effort to maintain the quicker pace of play, the committee has adopted a change in restarts. The new ruling will allow an immediate whistle (unless an offensive teammate is within 5 yards of the player in possession.) The defending player on any restart shall establish a distance of 5 yards. If the defender is within that 5-yard distance, that player may be liable to be penalized for “delay of game.” The defender not beyond the 5-yard distance may not play the player in possession or obstruct the player in possession‘s direct path toward the goal. Once the 5 yards’ distance has been satisfied, the defender then may play the ball and/or the player in possession of the ball.

Tyma's Answer:

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