Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Throw-In Basics: Technique, Receiving, and Attacking from the Sidelines

Partner Throw-Ins

Partner Throw-Ins

Players standing across the field from their partner, practicing throw-ins to each other. Circle around to every player to give tips on their technique and remind them of the rules.

Throw-in Rules:

• Throws must go straight over the head with both hands, starting behind the head
  
• No twisting of the arms - players can twist at the waist to aim throws
• Both feet must be touching the ground during and after the throw - no jumping or lifting the back leg
• Feet must be behind or on the sideline while throwing - no stepping fully on the field with either foot
• Throw-ins must enter the field of play - if the throw does not cross the sideline, redo the throw-in

Coaching Points:

• Start with feet planted - as players learn, they can start taking a walking or running start
  
• Take a big last step into the throw to get more power and distance
• Lean shoulders back before snapping forward to generate power
• Throw to a teammate's feet if possible to make it easier to control
• Receiver: Move your body and feet to where the throw-in will land
• Receiver: Cushion the ball by matching the speed of the ball with the receiving surface

Add Challenge:

• Receiver controls the ball and passes back to the thrower on the ground
• Receiver passes back to the thrower with a one-touch volley
• Make it a competition by having the players race to 20 throws from behind the line
• Have the thrower throw to the teammate's thighs, chest, or head (ages 12+) to practice different surfaces

Throw-In Escape

Throw-In Escape

Attacking team (red) starts play by taking a throw-in in their own half, scoring in two small goals placed at half-field. Defending team may score on the full-sized goal if possession is won. When a goal is scored or the ball goes out-of-bounds, reset players' positioning and restart with a throw-in. If attackers commit a foul throw, defenders get to throw and attack the full-sized goal.

Coaching Points:

• Thrower: Look for an open teammate - DO NOT just throw the ball forward/down the line
• Thrower: Pass away from pressure - look for 1v0s rather than 1v1s or 1v2s
• Thrower: Use proper throw-in technique - avoid foul throws
• Receiver: Move away from defenders into open space
• Receiver: Make sure you are close enough for your teammate to throw to you
• Far-Side Teammates: Stay in space and resist the urge to cramp the area near the throw
• Team: If we can't attack the near goal, can we switch to the far side?
• Team: Pass to the goalkeeper's feet to help switch the point of attack
• Team: If we lose possession, get compact and protect the goal