Long Throw — Attacking Patterns

◆Why this drill works

Throw-ins are the most-frequent restart in football and the most-coached at elite level for one reason: the long throw into the box is essentially a free corner. Most grassroots squads never practice them. This drill builds the technique (legal long throw — both hands behind the head, both feet on the ground, behind the line) and the patterns (near-post flick or first-touch redirect, edge-of-area runner, far-post option). For U7-U11, the 'flick' becomes a 'first-touch redirect' since heading isn't allowed.

▦The drill in three phases

▶How to run it

1. Set up: full goal, throw-in spot ~22 yards from the goal line. Mark out the 6-yard box and edge of penalty area. Players: 1 thrower (T), 4 attackers, optional GK + 3 defenders for opposed phases.
2. PHASE 1 — Throw technique (4 min). Show the legal throw: both hands behind the head, both feet on the ground, ball behind the head before release, throw from over the top of the head, both feet planted at moment of release. Run 6-8 walk-through reps.
3. PHASE 2 — Pattern (5 min). Run the near-post pattern at half pace. T throws into near-post zone (firm, low-medium height). Player 1 makes a sharp run to the near post and redirects (flick if U12+, first-touch and shoot if U7-U11). Player 2 follows for second ball. Player 3 holds far-post; Player 4 stays at edge.
4. PHASE 3 — Live with defenders (4 min). Add 3 defenders + GK. Throwers must read defenders' positions before releasing — short throw to nearest player if box is well-marked, long throw if there's space.
5. PHASE 4 — Decision element (2 min). Coach calls 'LONG' or 'SHORT' just before the throw. Tests the team's ability to switch routine on the fly.

✓Equipment checklist

✦Coaching points