Making the most of throw-ins

[leroyjean]

In common with many other teams we do seem to have difficulty in getting full advantage from the humble throw-in. My case against the long throw is rather weakened by the clumsiness of Charlton's CBs a couple of weeks ago, and I do seem to recall that we scored from one in an away game ?last season; but those examples aside, and looking back over several years, back to the time when Johnny Herd was the specialist, we really have had precious little return from the long throw. And when you think that a long throw takes up to a minute of preparation while Leonard arrives from afar and then indulges in the theatricals of ball wiping and waits (on the very odd occasion - Charlton anyone?) for the opposing subs to allow him free passage, you do wonder if there might be a more constructive way of using the throw-in.
Although these thoughts have been with me for a considerable time they have really come to the fore as a result of the Sheff U game: we were very nearly a goal down within 40 seconds, and that was because they took the throw without hesitation, and had a runner to target, and he then only had the challenges of accuracy and Ted Smith to overcome. (For those of you not in South Bank I can assure you it was a close thing!) And that wasn't the only quick throw we saw from the Blades.
On the other hand, my feeling about our own throw-ins over a period of years is that they largely seem to be pedestrian affairs: movement off the ball can be slow, or occasionally non-existent, and I do wonder how often a Southend throw is a seen as a real attacking threat by the opposition.
I'm sure corners and free kicks get their fair share of rehearsal time at Boots & Laces. Do any of you who see training from time to time see any routines aimed at improving the effectiveness of the throw-in?

 

[RobM]

Valid point - a team gets far more throws than any other "set piece".

 

[RHB]

The routine tends to be ....Lenny takes long throw - Aims for Thompson's head - Sometimes he gets it - Defender clears. A bit cynical, but I've seen that happen quite a bit. I also have never understood why our players don't make runs into space when we have throw ins around the centre of the pitch, everyone seems very static when the throw is taken. It's almost as if they don't want the ball.

 

[Ayrshire Blue]

Leonard's long throw is an absolute myth

 

[RobM]

Leonard's long throw is an absolute myth

Why? Is it short in reality?

 

[AndyT]

That's the long and the short of it, I think! :winking:

 

[Jam_Man]

Having a long throw is one thing, being able to do anything with is another.

Leonard does have one but we have no one who can capitalise on them. They are normally harder to get something from than a corner because they lack the pace.

Ive never thought of them as much of a weapon to be honest, might as well throw it to someone and let them cross it.

 

[rigsby]

Having a long throw is one thing, being able to do anything with is another.

Leonard does have one but we have no one who can capitalise on them. They are normally harder to get something from than a corner because they lack the pace.

Ive never thought of them as much of a weapon to be honest, might as well throw it to someone and let them cross it.

That's another weak area for us

 

[southendkid]

I don't really like Leonard's long throw, the reason Rory Delap's throws were so deadly for Stoke was that they went in at the pace of a corner kick, Leonard's on the other hand kind of just float so it's easy for the opposition to deal with unless they aren't switched on, given how well we are passing the ball at the moment we'd probably be better off with short throws.

 

[1966 and all that]

At the very least, on occasion, it should be set up long and then, on a pre-arranged signal, thrown short for a runner from the box. There's then the option for a potentially unmarked runner to put in a decent cross or, if closely marked, to tap it back for Leonard to (try to) put in a decent cross.

 

[Supa Shrimpa]

We're a bit too predictable, and it enables the defenders to get back and get their shape. I like to see a bit of variety...a quickly taken throw, feet and back followed by a cross, or the Lenny Launch.

 

[WESTY_SUFC]

I don't really like Leonard's long throw, the reason Rory Delap's throws were so deadly for Stoke was that they went in at the pace of a corner kick, Leonard's on the other hand kind of just float so it's easy for the opposition to deal with unless they aren't switched on, given how well we are passing the ball at the moment we'd probably be better off with short throws.

Spot on with all of that. Not to mention Stoke had about 6 players all 6'3+ so plenty to aim for, we don't. Also agree with post above about no variation and being predictable. Players should be on the move not standing still waiting for the ball to come to them.

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

He has been practising to make them flatter with more pace rather than that slow loop he used to do. The weird thing is that Thompson is the wrong man to flick them on as he usually gets beaten to it by the defender. I think we should go for the taller Ranger, or the higher jumping Ferdinand to flick them on. And then they might actually cause the opposition problems. They're not much of a threat at the moment.

 

[OldBlueLady]

They definitely don't loop as much, and they do seem to aim for Thompson all the time, which is easy for opponents to work out. I'd like to see them dropped a bit shorter for someone to flick on.

 

[Firestorm]

Lenny is throwi g them flatter this seaon ans the have been more effective, altough a bit of variety with regards to target area would be nice.
i would lime to see him taking more throws in the first 2 /3rd of the pitch too.
A long flat throw up the line would certainly get us up the pitch and ta ke a bit of pressure off

 

[rigsby]

The main problem is we have to many players behind the flicker and they start in the position they should finish, I call it the bus queue. A good example of good tactics was Tony Adams arriving at pace from a Steve Bould flick.

Its not all about the quality of throw it can even come off a defender but its what happens after that counts. Cox's goal v Wimbledon was not flicked on by us but Cox would never have scored if he was marked tight because he almost hat to swivel from a static position. At Walsall, Ranger got a really good flick on the ball but with tight defending they got a boot across Cox.

So what I'm trying to say is its all about attacking the flick from further out as this crates space in the crowded six yard box. A good example would be Accrington's first goal when the beat us 2-1 last time we played. Perhaps someone could post a link.

P.S we did score v Gillingham this season from a Lenny throw.

 

[Nick Prawnby]

Been ranting about this for two seasons - we get an attacking throw in position and one of the best strikers of the ball at the club leaves the pitch!
Lenny should be hanging around the edge of the box....

 

[Shrimperforlife]

Bring back johnny herd is what I say!!!!!

 

[North Shoebury Blue]

Been ranting about this for two seasons - we get an attacking throw in position and one of the best strikers of the ball at the club leaves the pitch!
Lenny should be hanging around the edge of the box....

A few of us in East Stand have been saying that since last season...you're totally correct but will things change...very much doubt it !!

 

[RHB]

So what I'm trying to say is its all about attacking the flick from further out as this crates space in the crowded six yard box. A good example would be Accrington's first goal when the beat us 2-1 last time we played. Perhaps someone could post a link.

P.S we did score v Gillingham this season from a Lenny throw.

Yep, I can see what you're suggesting there Rigsby, it would definitely give us some much needed height in the box. My only worry would be the time it took to set up.