Throw-In: Give and Go
Most U10-U13 teams lose possession on roughly 60% of their throw-ins.
◆Why this drill works
Most U10-U13 teams lose possession on roughly 60% of their throw-ins. The thrower throws to the nearest player, who's marked, and the ball is immediately turned over. The fix is one of football's oldest patterns: the give-and-go. Thrower throws to a teammate's feet, IMMEDIATELY sprints onto the touchline past the receiver, gets a first-time return pass into space. Now the team has the ball moving forward, with a clear advantage because the thrower (who was uninvolved a second ago) is suddenly free. This drill is basic, repetitive, and one of the highest-ROI set piece drills you'll ever run. Grassroots teams that drill this go from losing 60% of throw-ins to winning 70%.
▦The drill in three phases
▶How to run it
- Mark a touchline (a line of cones). Thrower (T) at the touchline with ball. Receiver (R) 8 yards inside the pitch, body angled toward the touchline (showing for the throw). Optional defender (D) marking R.
- T performs a proper FA-style throw-in: both feet on or behind the line, ball over the head with both hands. Throw goes to R's feet — firm, not floated.
- CRITICAL — as soon as the ball leaves T's hands, T sprints down the touchline. Don't watch the throw. Don't admire it. Sprint immediately.
- R receives the throw, takes one touch (or zero if confident), and plays a first-time pass into the space ahead of T's run. The pass should arrive in front of T so they don't have to break stride.
- T receives the return pass in stride and drives forward. Switch roles — R becomes T, T becomes R, queue rotates. Run for 8 minutes.
- Progression at minute 8: add a passive defender between T and R. The throw and return must be sharp — no soft balls, no slow movement. Now the routine has match pressure.
✓Equipment checklist
✦Coaching points
Praise when you see
- Quality of delivery into a dangerous area
- Timed movement to attack the ball, not standing still
- Quick execution before the defence organises
Correct when you see
- No clear routine — call and rehearse before the set piece
- Poor delivery wasting the chance
- Static players — set pieces need timed, deliberate movement
★Kit for this drill — top picks compared
| Pick | Product | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top pick | Free Kick Mannequins | Realistic wall practice. | Check price → |
| Value | Training Footballs (6-pack) | Dead-ball reps. | Check price → |
| Upgrade | Pop-Up Goals (pair) | Target practice. | Check price → |
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