Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Throw-In Basics: Technique, Receiving, and Attacking from the Sidelines
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
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
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
1v1 Transition (Throw-Ins)
Players play 1v1 inside the playing area, with players outside the area waiting in line with soccer balls in hand. Once a goal is scored (blue shown scoring), or if the ball goes out-of-bounds, the defending player (red) exits the field. Their teammate enters the field, and the next teammate in line immediately throws a new ball in. The player who just scored transitions to defending - players rotate from thrower to attacker/receiver to defender. If a foul throw is committed, the opponents throw a ball into play and can counter-attack.
- Keep the ball close and under control while dribbling
- Transition onto the field right away and attack with speed
- Transition from attacking to defending quickly to protect the goal or win the ball
- Throw to your teammate's feet, or into space they're running into, when possible
- Throw to the ball where your teammate can protect it (throw away from pressure)
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
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
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
5v5 Scrimmage (Throw-Ins)
Play a scrimmage with regular soccer rules. Place extra soccer balls near the sidelines of the field to keep the game flowing and to encourage quick throw-in attacks.
Rules:
- There is no offsides on throw-ins
- Optional: Make the field narrower to produce more throw-in opportunities
- Optional: No corners or goal kicks - balls over the end line result in a throw-in from the sideline
Play animation
Play step-by-step
Repeat (toggle)
Full Screen
Pause
Stop
Throw-In Contest
Players take turns throwing the ball as far as they can. The player with the longest throw wins. Only legal throw-ins count.
Throw-in Rules:
Coaching Points: