Over the last few seasons, the long throw has experienced a renaissance in professional football. This comeback is already forcing teams to re-evaluate how they play in and on the field. Not only is throw-in coach Thomas Gronnemark the star of a Netflix documentary, but he’s been key in seeing it happen. And with elite clubs such as Liverpool and Brentford, giving them a full throw-in upgrade along the way.
Under Gronnemark’s supervision, Liverpool revolutionized their throw-in approach, going from 18th to 1st in Premier League table rankings. This incredible improvement is a testament to how important throw-ins can be when done well. It more broadly uncovers the incredible space for tactical innovation that exists in the game of football. Gronnemark’s approach has proven effective, as evidenced by Liverpool’s increase in possession during throw-ins under pressure, which surged from 45.4% to 68.4% during his first season with the club.
As teams increasingly recognize the value of long throws, notable figures in football are beginning to advocate for their broader implementation. Thomas Tuchel recently declared, “the long throw is back,” signaling a trend that many teams are now eager to embrace.
The Impact of Long Throws on Game Strategy
That return of the long throw is just one example of how teams have found new ways to take advantage of set-piece opportunities. Under Gronnemark’s guidance, Liverpool experienced a stunning increase in expected goals through throw-ins. In their first year under Spalding, the team netted 26+ goals, a drastic increase from the 10 goals combined scored in the two prior seasons. This sizable increase shows that throw-ins can be a fertile ground for real scoring chances.
Brentford in particular has been a leader in using long throws as a tactical weapon. Under the stewardship of Thomas Frank, the club have been able to milk this ploy further to great effect. Gronnemark has emphasized that the ability to execute a long throw can create more direct danger in front of goal. As he points out, passing to the far post or far post + 1 easily shatters defensive shapes.
“You can create a more direct danger, that is one thing. But the other big thing is that you can create more variance with the throw. There is the option to flick it on. It is much harder to mark,” – Thomas Gronnemark.
The long throw-in certainly has a sexier potential for goal-scoring. It wreaks havoc on opposing defenses. Players such as Mads Beck, now at FC Midtjylland, are showing just amazing throws, some more than 40 meters. The teams have very quickly noticed and revised their strategy to counter this amazing potential.
The Science Behind Effective Long Throws
Gronnamark is adamant that size and technique are key ingredients to creating dangerous long throws. He figures all nations should have at least one world-class long throw-in taker on staff. Teams looking to improve this area of their game should make this a focus area.
“You need a world-class long throw-in taker,” – Thomas Gronnemark.
Though he’s positive on long throws, he cautions teams from blindly implementing them without having the required quality in their players to make it effective. He maintains that clubs who lack elite-level throwers should invest elsewhere. Simply put, inept implementation can squander once-in-a-generation chances.
“If you can only throw to the edge of the six-yard box then of course you can be lucky and create a chance,” – Thomas Gronnemark.
In his Playing for Keeps experience, few teams even consciously tried to make the most of throw-ins. This usually leads to a turnover and wasted opportunity to generate space or a scoring opportunity. Gronnemark emphasizes that effective use of throw-ins should be treated with as much seriousness as any other action on the pitch.
“It is like any other football action on the pitch. You can keep possession and score a goal,” – Thomas Gronnemark.
The Growing Popularity and Training of Long Throws
The total long throws into the penalty box—long throws defined as those longer than 20 meters—have almost doubled this season. This stat is the result of an increasing trend on all teams to integrate long throws in their tactical toolkit. Clubs are finally realizing that this deceptively basic part of the game can have big returns when done well.
Gronnemark’s influence has molded athletes across several leagues. Players like Kevin Danso and Lucas Bergvall are now using the tactical-throw during tight matches against more difficult opponents such as Paris Saint-Germain. Their training focuses not just on distance, but accuracy and judgment when piercing throws from distance.
“A lot of the teams in the Premier League who are taking long throw-ins now, they’re just not good enough,” – Thomas Gronnemark.
This statement highlights a critical point: while many are captivated by the allure of long throws, not all teams possess the necessary skills or strategies to maximize their effectiveness. Gronnemark remains optimistic, believing that even one focused training session can significantly improve a team’s capabilities in this area.
Last week’s Premier League fixture between Crystal Palace and Aston Villa provided us with a reminder of the effectiveness of the long throw. Jefferson Lerma produced a long throw that directly led to one of his side’s goals. This example demonstrates just how decisive a perfectly dropped toss can turn a game.
Leave a Reply