Mastering Throw-In Tactics: Defensive Strategies That Work At All Levels

Differences Between Throw-In Tactics & Set Piece Tactics

Throw-ins are a crucial set piece, often overlooked despite their frequent occurrence during matches.

For example, the average number of throw-ins in the Premier League last season was about 35 per game.

Throw-in tactics are somewhat different from other set pieces affected by these three factors:

1. The purposes vary for different teams executing and receiving the throw-ins according to:

2. The different locations on the field from which the throw-in is taken which leads to:

3. The importance of using different techniques and the speed of executing the throw-in exploiting many factors, such as throwing with the hands, which allows for easier control than kicking with the feet and the absence of offsides, for example.

To recognise that, imagine that a team whose essential purpose in attacking throw-ins is to retain possession and maintain control of the ball wants to create space to escape the pressure applied by the opponent, using the sideline as a factor to help them in the throwers defensive third (location).

The location matters because it is harder for the opponent to press you when you are in the middle of the field, where the area is wide and open, and you can play either far left or right.

In contrast, as you approach the corners of the field, you become more confined, particularly next to your penalty area, where the horizontal and vertical lines (touch and goal lines) can easily suffocate you. 

Thus, it is crucial to execute this throw-in technique quickly before your opponent can fully implement their plan to confine you.

Additionally, the technique of the throw itself may help you in several ways.

For example:

1- If the ball bounces on the ground, it can travel faster to reach a teammate over a longer distance.

2—The manner in which it reaches your teammates foot rather than their head or chest is also significant in making them react more quickly.

3- The direction may be necessary because some research suggests that the chances of receiving a first touch are higher when the throw is directed backwards rather than lateral or forward, as the opponent will naturally prioritise securing their defensive positioning first.

4- The throwers feinting to throw forward and then suddenly pivoting to throw backwards can provide a slight and surprising time advantage.

Thus, the purposes differ based on the location, leading to variations in the technique used, ultimately resulting in a specific tactic being employed.

For example, in your attacking third, your purpose and technique may differ; you might play the throw-in long and direct or look to create impactful spaces.

After all of that, we now know that tactics are created according to these three factors, forming many off-the-ball movements.

So, now we need to know the attacking tactics affected by these three factors, but we should start first with the different primary defending purposes and systems.

In this tactical analysis, we will start with the primary defending purposes and systems in general.

After that, we will discuss when a specific team aims for a particular defensive purpose using a specific strategy against different attacking purposes, locations, and techniques, showing study cases and analysing a match showing coaches reactions against each other in a pure tactical analysis.

Different Purposes

To understand the defending purposes, we need to understand the logical attacking purposes and counter them.

Many articles focus on teams different attacking purposes, which can naturally include a direct goal threat, more progression with the ball, retaining possession, or just not conceding chances.

Not conceding chances is an attacking common purpose because defending teams exploit a siege situation by trying to press and then threaten your goal.

We should remember that nearly 25% of Premier League throw-ins last season were in the throwing team’s defensive third, which is where they can be confined.

On the contrary, defending teams have many purposes, such as protecting their goal from any threat, stopping the opponents progression or pressing before then taking possession and trying to threaten the opponents goal. 

Different Systems & Strategies For Throw-Ins

We will demonstrate the different defending systems in throw-ins like any set-piece.

These strategies may differ from one location and opponent to another, but we will mention the general main systems and discuss specific cases later.

Man-Marking

As in any man-marking defending system, the defenders are man-oriented.

As you can see below, Crystal Palace, with a 5-4-1 formation, defended against Liverpools throw-in.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is the thrower, Luis Díaz (yellow) is the targeted player, and Dominik Szoboszlai (white) is next to him.

This system prioritises man-marking over protecting specific areas, so some rotations, switches, and screens can create suitable spaces in dangerous areas.

Indeed, Luis Díaz turns around Dominik Szoboszlai to get some separation from his marker while Szoboszlai tries to block it.

He moves him towards Díazs marker and tries to slow him down, giving D