Throw-ins: The ugly ducklings of restarts

by Oliver Weiss on 04/06/10

Every weekend soccer players take throw-ins, sometimes as many as 20-30 per game. Many players often throw the ball to the other team and thus turning a clear advantage into a disadvantage and a loss of ball possession for their team. Others are called for a foul throw and possession changes again. A case can be made for a ‘National Throw-In Crisis'. Soccer adWeiss takes a closer look. 

 

Usually any player on a team can take a throw-in. Proximity to the ball mostly determines who gets to take it. Unlike other restarts like penalty kicks, free kicks, goal kicks, and corner kicks where the coach or team designate a player with special skill for that restart, the throw-in seems to not require much skill at all. Soccer adWeiss disagrees and thinks that throw-ins are restarts, too, and deserve more respect and attention! Here is why:

• Players often throw the ball to the other team = Loss of Possession
• Players are called for foul throw-ins = Loss of Possession
• Players throw balls to teammates awkwardly = Loss of Possession
• Players show opponents too easily where they will throw the ball = potential Loss of Possession.
• Players (especially younger ones) take up to 20-25 seconds to take a throw-in, thus resulting in a Loss of Playing Time. (20 throw-ins x 20 seconds = 400 sec. = approx 6.5 minutes of playing time lost.
• The Throw-In is the one restart that occurs more than any other restart in the game. Thus, lots of opportunities to KEEP POSSESSION.

Here is our Soccer adWEISS for improving our national throw-in crisis:

 

1. How to Execute a Throw-in:

As a coach, spend about 5-10 minutes a week on throw-ins, especially when kids are between ages of 5-12. Teach them proper throw-in form:

a. Keep both feet on or behind the line. Feet must be on ground during the throw.

b. Both hands grab ball, place ball behind head and throw ball in one motion.

c. Player must release ball above head. You cannot hold onto ball past the head.

Sounds simple, right? It is not. Everyone on the team should practice throw-ins.

 

 2. How to Show for the Ball:

Practice how to get open for a throw-in which will also help kids how to get open for a normal foot pass as well. Explain the concept of opposites: Check away and then come close to receive ball near the thrower. Check to the thrower and then sprint away to receive ball down the sideline or away form the thrower. Standing and waiting for a soccer ball is not ideal unless you are completely unmarked.

 

 3. Receiving the Throw:

Show players where the best place is for receiving a throw-in: Anywhere between the knee and foot. Why? Because it can be trapped easily (and more importantly) quickly in that area. Show players how to trap the ball when it is thrown to that area (use inside of foot to cushion ball). Tell players not to throw ball on the ground in front of team mate so that it bounces up on the player’s thigh of chest. The opponent will have an easier time getting to it and steal the ball.

 

4. Teach Deception / Trickery on throw-ins:

If you want to throw the ball backwards towards your defenders or goalie pretend to throw it forward first and then quickly change direction and toss ball backwards and vice versa. Players love to be tricky or disguise their attention. This will make them less predictable on the field and guarantees more possession after a throw-in. Make sure team mates are ready for this trickery by calling their names prior to throwing ball to them.. Also, teach them how to take a quick throw-in when the other team is still arguing that they should be the ones throwing it in. Last, but not least: Pick up the ball for a throw-in when it seems uncertain who is awarded the throw. Referees sometimes don’t know who’s throw it is. They will award the throw to the team that picks up the ball first.

 

5. Practice Tips:

Blow your whistle every 60-90 seconds during a practice scrimmage and award random restarts to team that has the ball. Except, to restart the game use a throw-in wherever the play was stopped. So, players will have to practice throw-ins in the middle of field while scrimmaging and not just when the ball crosses the sideline. That way everyone has a chance to learn how to throw the ball properly and can pick up the nuances of this underappreciated restart. Stress quick throws to surprise opponent, proper receiving area, etc. Players will learn to judge pace of ball, distance to team mate, and how to find best positioned team mate. Receiving players will learn to control ball better and how to get open more.