Updating Tactics: How to Revive Long Throws in Football

• Teams are beginning to reconsider long throws as a tactical tool.
• Rory Delap proved the effectiveness of long throws in the past.
• Clubs like Tottenham and Liverpool are actively working on throws in the new season.

In modern football, tactics are constantly evolving, and one of the underutilized possibilities is the revival of long throws. This became evident when Rory Delap was mentioned, who from 2008 to 2012 utilized his long throws to achieve success at Stoke City. His style, known as "Delap Special," allowed the team to score 25 goals in four years solely through his throws.

However, despite his success, most teams have not been able to replicate this technique, even though legislation does not hinder creative throw-ins. Changing the approach to throw-ins could become a resource for many teams, especially if they start to train players to achieve similar strength and speed.

Moreover, long throws are often underutilized, as they are considered somewhat less elegant style of play. However, teams can adopt tactics from set pieces, creating different variations for throws, which may lead to new strategies in attack.

In the 2025-2026 season, there is expected to be a rise in interest in long throws, as clubs like Tottenham and Liverpool begin to incorporate them into their training. This indicates that this technique could return to the game, providing teams with new opportunities for attacking actions.

Specifically, the new Tottenham manager, Frank, emphasized the importance of throws, highlighting their role in creating attacking moments. Similarly, Liverpool is actively working on enhancing their long throws during pre-season training.

Tags: Sport/Football