Unleashing the Power of Throw-Ins in Premier League 2025-26

Former Stoke City player Rory Delap is well-remembered for his long throws during Premier League matches from 2008 to 2012. His unique throw-ins, known as the 'Delap special,' were feared by opposing teams for their effectiveness in creating scoring opportunities.

Despite Delap's success with throw-ins, this aspect of football has largely remained untapped for strategic innovation. The rules governing throw-ins have not evolved significantly since the 19th century, presenting an opportunity for reimagining the potential of this set-piece.

Delap's long throws were a distinctive feature of his play, causing difficulties for defenses due to their speed and trajectory. Stoke City capitalized on 25 goals from Delap's throw-ins, showcasing the impact of this unconventional tactic. While Delap's throwing ability was exceptional, there is potential for other players to develop similar skills through specialized training.

The perception of long throws in football has often been associated with direct and defensive play, overlooking their strategic value. Embracing long throws as a legitimate set-piece tactic, akin to corners, could offer teams a new dimension in their attacking strategies and challenge traditional norms in the sport.

Innovations in set-piece strategies have transformed corners and free-kicks, yet throw-ins have seen limited tactical evolution. By exploring new approaches to throw-ins, teams could unlock creative possibilities and exploit the absence of offside rules during throw-ins to gain a tactical advantage over opponents.

The current approach to throw-ins, characterized by safe and predictable plays, limits teams' ability to capitalize on these opportunities. Encouraging more daring and inventive throw-in techniques, combined with strategic positioning and movement, could revolutionize the role of throw-ins in modern football and enhance teams' attacking capabilities.