Long Throw Routine
A player with a long throw has a weapon that most grassroots teams don't utilise.
◆Why this drill works
A player with a long throw has a weapon that most grassroots teams don't utilise. The long throw into the penalty area — delivered accurately into the near-post, far-post, or penalty spot zone — produces headed shots at the same frequency as a corner. This drill identifies the squad's longest thrower and builds a routine around their range. Unlike a corner, a long throw restarts play from open play rather than requiring the ball to go out for a corner, so it often catches defences less organised and less mentally prepared for a genuine goal threat. Grassroots defenders are frequently drilled extensively on defending corners but rarely on defending long throws, which is precisely why a team with a genuine long-throw weapon and a named, rehearsed routine can create a disproportionate number of chances relative to how rarely they practise it.
◇Variations and progressions
- Disguised near-far switch — thrower starts the run-up as if targeting the near post, then delivers to the far post to wrong-foot defenders.
- Short-throw option — add a nearby receiver for a quick short throw when the long option is well marked, keeping defenders honest.
- Second-ball rehearsal — practise what happens if the first contact is cleared, positioning a player to collect the loose ball on the edge of the box.
- Competitive accuracy count — score the thrower's accuracy into each zone across a session and track improvement week to week.
▦The drill in three phases
▶How to run it
- Identify the two longest throwers in the squad. Test from the touchline — who reaches the penalty spot?
- Delivery drill: long thrower delivers into three target zones: near post, far post, penalty spot. Two receives per zone. No attackers yet.
- Add two attackers and a passive defender. Attackers attack the zone called by the coach.
- Name the routine. 'ROCKET' or similar. Practice calling it before taking the throw.
- Full game: count how many long throw opportunities arise in a 9v9. How many are used?
✦Coaching points
Praise when you see
- Long thrower getting full body rotation and follow-through — range comes from technique, not just arm strength
- Attackers starting their run after the throw, not before — timing is the same as a corner
- Front-post attacker committing to a genuine flick attempt, not a token gesture
Correct when you see
- Underestimating the throw-in as an attacking weapon — if you have a player who reaches the penalty spot, that throw is as dangerous as a free kick
- Attackers beginning movement before the throw — a step offside is technically possible if movement starts before the ball is released
- No plan for the second ball when the initial flick is cleared
★Kit for this drill — top picks compared
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