Is it true that a throw-in must be taken within 5 yards of where the ball went out?

A throw-in does not have a specific requirement to be taken within 5 yards of the spot where the ball went out of play. In fact, the Laws of the Game state that the throw-in is to be taken at the point where the ball crossed the touchline, and the thrower is free to take the throw-in from that exact location. The key requirement is that the throw-in must be executed correctly according to the rules, which includes facing the field, using both hands, and delivering the ball from behind and over the head.

While there might be informal expectations or local variations at lower levels of play, the official rules do not stipulate a minimum distance of 5 yards for where the throw-in should be taken relative to the spot the ball crossed the sideline.