Soccer drills to work on your players throw in tactics

• In diagram one, player A throws to player B who gives the ball back to player A with the inside of the right foot on the volley.
• Once your players have done the drill a few times with their right foot, player B does the same this time using the left foot as in diagram two – again playing the ball from the throw-in before it touches the ground.

Key soccer coaching tip: concentrate on the quality of the throw-in.

Player A should always make sure his throw makes it easy for player B to move to the ball and volley back – the throw should put the ball at the right height, in the right spot and at the right pace – make sure your throwers concentrate on this, aiming the ball in the general direction of player B is not good enough.

Players shouldn’t be put under pressure A ball thrown at chest or head height will put player B under pressure, as defenders will have a chance of intercepting as player B tries to control the ball.

Develop the drill

• You can progress the throw-in drill – as in diagram three - by adding a defender and another teammate.
• Player A must then disguise his throw, so the defender runs to the wrong player.

Support and move from the throw-in

• In the drill shown in diagram four add another defender. This time the thrower and his attackers must support each other once the initial throw has been made.
• Player B must receive the ball, pass to player C then support the pass so player C can pass back to him. Or player C can pass long to player A who has run into an attacking position down the wing.
• Alternatively, player B can either play the ball back to player A and set up an attack, or retain possession, and still set up a 3 v 2 situation.