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BASIC PRACTICES AT THE THROW-IN

For younger players consideration should be given to instruction on the method required for throw-in techniques, e.g. the position of the hands gripping firmly on the side of the ball, the position of the feet for the type of throw-in required, and how the body, as a whole, should be used to propel the ball any distance.

The best starting point is to practice in pairs as in practice (1)


a. (A) throws to (B) who plays the ball back to (A) with the inside of the right foot – before the ball touches the ground.
b. Similarly with (B) this time using the left foot – again playing the ball from the throw-in before it touches the ground.

c. (B) now retires around 10 metres to (B1), he then runs in to (B2) and while he is moving (A) throws-in and (B) once again returns it to (A) – preferably before the ball touches the ground.

N.B.

(A)’s throw should always be to (B)’s advantage, demanding an expertise in dropping the ball in the right spot, at the right height, and importantly at the right pace.

(A) should concentrate fully on this as aiming the ball in the "general direction" of (B) is not enough.

Throwing the ball at chest or head height to (B) will only require greater pressure for (B), as defenders will have a chance of intercepting, or at least getting in a challenge as (B) tries to control the ball.
To progress, 3 players can be used, with a defender (D) coming into the practice (2).

Practice 2

This time (B) is marked by (D) who marks on the defensive side of (B).

As (A) is about to throw the ball in, (B) then makes his decisive move. He could run to position (B2) to break away from (D), and (A) would then throw to him, and the play would continue with (D) now confronting (B) in possession and (A) who joins into the attack.

OR (B) could run away from (D) to (B1), - (D) should follow quickly, (B) checks runs back to his former position and (A) throws the ball, (B) returns it and so the game progresses.

Practice 3

In practice (3), another pair forward (E) and defender (F) are brought in, so now (A) has (B) and (E) to select from his throw-in. It is up to (B) and (E) to check, faint and sprint to lose their markers and up to (A) to throw–in accurately.

(B) and (E) can either play the ball back to (A) and set up an attack, or simply retain possession, and still set up a 3 versus 2 situation.

THIS SHOULD NOT BE TOO DIFFICULT, BUT AS A BASIS IT IS IMPORTANT.