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    FOOTBALL THROW IN's - The Typical English Way

    FOOTBALL THROW IN's - The Typical English Way

    FOOTBALL THROW IN's  - The Typical English Way has been donated by qualified Football Coach Matthew Kirckwood, from elite academy soccer coaching. We thank Matthew and recommend his coaching and website.

    Article - My growing frustration as to why the English can never get away from the same type of throw-in


    I watch a huge amount of Football, and if your reading this as a coach, scout, match analyser, or just someone who loves the finer details of the game, i'm sure it drives you mad as much as it does me when you see teams reluctant to stray away from the usual throw-in style. Long, down the line, hoping for a flick on, or to win another throw-in further down the field. Boring.

    This absolutely drives me crazy. It's not because I have anything particularly against the method. It works at times, and can be used very effectively as Stoke and other teams have used to their advantage. However, I do believe it's a very British method, and can be linked to our lack of technical development.

    I went to watch a recent non-league game, and for the full 90 minutes, not one player decided to drop off and receive the ball from a throw in. Or go close for a knock back, to get the ball down and play. The reason for this... A lack of ability, confidence, and a feeling of being outside their comfort zone. If you watch some of the best technical teams in the world, Spain, Holland, Germany, even some of the African sides, Ghana, they very rarely get a throw-in, and lump it down the line for a flick on to get another throw-in to move down the pitch. They receive the ball, they get it down and play and that's because they are all technically confident, and comfortable in that situation.

    The reason this frustrates me so much, is that if our young players see this typically British mentality to something as simple as throw-ins, then how are they going to be able to become technically comfortable? How are they going to be confident? We are setting ourselves up for a future of uncomfortable player's, who would prefer to get it as far away from their own goal as possible! That's not what we want!

    If we break down a throw-in, we can categorise it into three main areas:

    1) Movement - Away from players, at different speeds
    2) Awareness - Who's around you, where to put the ball
    3) Control - Where does the ball need to be put in order to keep it away from defenders

    If we can deliver sessions to our players that incorporate all these elements, that they will feel much more comfortable and confident to try this. Also, in training, we must get the players to practice this. It's no use in training allowing to throw long, and then in games expect them to play short.

    I hope most readers will agree with me in that, we need to develop players, who are not frightened to receive the ball under pressure. To receive the ball in tight situations. To receive the ball and control with various body parts.

    It's frustrating when you watch mini-soccer and coaches are telling kids to throw long down the line. Let's change this.

    Thanks for reading, I hope this was useful

    Matt

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