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Throw-in Tips by Peter Chiste
Throw-in Tips: 1. Defending against a throw-in. Defender should mark-up potential receivers by standing 1-arm length BEHIND and slightly "inside" the receiver. This is contrary to much of the "parental coaching" from the sidelines when we often hear "get in front". Proper defensive position behind the receiver blocks the receiver from moving effectively toward the goal area. If the throw comes in front of the receiver at his feet, the defender can be patient and defend once the receiver makes his move with the ball. In some cases (player judgment), the defender can step in front as the ball is thrown and "intercept" the throw. If the throw comes in over the receivers head, the defender is in position to head it away or to turn and control the ball away from the receiver as the defender will have at least a one-step advantage. 2. Executing a throw-in. Thrower should throw to maximize the advantage the receiver has against the defender. This could take several forms. If the defender positions wrongly in front of the receiver, the thrower throws over the heads of the defender and the receiver so the receiver can turn and take the ball toward the goal. If the defender positions wrongly behind and to the outside of the receiver, the thrower throws to the open space to the inside of the receiver, allowing the receiver to turn and take the ball toward the goal. If the defender is properly positioned behind and to the inside of the receiver, the thrower has a choice. He can throw to the open space to the outside of the receiver, allowing the receiver to turn and take the ball up the touchline, then to cross. Or he can throw at the receiver's feet, allowing the receiver to execute a drop-back pass to the thrower who has re-entered the field, or to another backfield team-mate. Remember, soccer is a "possession" game ... maximize possession and maximize attack possibilities. Proper defending against, or executing, throw-ins are very easy ways to contribute to possession opportunities. 3. Throw-in mechanics: First, ball should be held with both hands slightly behind sides of ball, fingers spread, and thumbs nearly touching. Second, parts of both feet must be touching ground when ball is released. Third, ball should start behind head, elbows bent back, and motion should be forward, directly over head, with hands releasing ball when hands are 6 to 12 inches in front of head ... at moment of release the ball should be "snapped" forward, not "pushed". A long throw is best executed with a short run (two or three steps) with one foot pointed in direction of target area and rear foor dragging along the turf. A short throw is best executed with feet spread shoulder width, firmly planted on the turf, and without a foot drag. Finally, throwers should act quickly ... sprint to the touchline and retrieve the ball, then execute a throw quickly so as to catch the defender(s) "off-guard" before they can properly "mark-up" potential receivers. Similarly, defenders must "mark-up" quickly. Those players that hustle first on the field usually will gain an advantage, be they throwers, receivers, or defenders. Pete Chiste 724-969-1070 pmchiste@hotmail.com |