Tottenham: Worst percentage of shots from throw-ins in the Premier League
Unlocking the Power of Throw-ins: A Tactical Revolution for Tottenham Hotspur
Hello once again Spurs folk around the world. Let's challenge your thinking again after asking if Tottenham should take a profit on Pedro Porro in January in the last Tottenham Hotspur Blog News (THBN) post.
The graphic above shows when we got it right with a quick throw-in versus Olympiacos and scored in November 2019 in a UEFA Champions League (UCL) group stage game at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium that we won 4-0.
In recent matches though, Tottenham Hotspur’s inability to retain possession from throw-ins has cost the team critical momentum and even points.
For example, in the recent match against Brighton, an unplanned throw-in play directly led to a goal that brought Brighton back into a game they were otherwise being dominated in.
The same happened against Ferencvaros.
I gave graphical evidence of the problem versus Newcastle United, where again it cost us a goal.
Still don't think this is an ongoing problem at Spurs or just don't believe me?
Well, there is a table in Rithic Kumar's (B.Tech Computer Engineering, Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design and Manufacturing, Kancheepuram) 2021 poster titled “Are throw-ins important in soccer?” is another key work that specifically explores whether throw-ins contribute to team performance.
Kumar analyzed throw-in possessions during the 2020-2021 English Premier League (EPL) season, finding that Tottenham had the worst percentage of shots from throw-ins in the Premier League (5.73%).
The top 7 were:
- Manchester City 14.18%
- Chelsea 11.75%
- Liverpool 10.97%
- Manchester United 10.26%
- West Ham United 10.12%
- Aston Villa 9.62%
- Arsenal 9.53%
It's clear Spurs need to rethink our throw-in strategy, an often overlooked set piece that plays a significant role in football.
Why Throw-ins Matter
Throw-ins are the most frequent set piece in football, with Premier League matches averaging 44 throw-ins per game.
Yet, they remain one of the least discussed tactical elements.
Recent studies, including one by Anthony Barry (now England Assistant Manager as from 1st January 2025), show that retaining possession from throw-ins correlates with team success.
According to research by Barry and co-authors, 83% of throw-ins result in first contact success, but only 54% lead to possession retention for more than seven seconds.
Tottenham’s struggle with maintaining possession after a throw-in is not just a random occurrence; it’s a tactical issue that can be addressed through structured training
Should Spurs Aim to Retain Possession or Create Openings?
The answer is both. Research suggests that higher-ranked teams favour backward throw-ins to maintain possession, while lower-ranked teams often go forward, resulting in more turnovers.
Teams like Liverpool, under the coaching of throw-in specialist Thomas Grønnemark, significantly improved their possession retention from throw-ins, rising from retaining possession 45.4% of the time to 68.4% within a season.
Goals from throw-ins have risen from 0.5% to 2.5% in 10 years, that is a very significant increase and Spurs have been on the receiving end several times this season, but I don't recall us scoring a goal as a result of a throw-in.
Spurs should focus on short, backward or lateral throws to maintain possession, as forward throws carry a higher risk of losing the ball, especially under pressure from the opponent's press.
We appear to be just leaving it to the players at the moment and they can't solve the problem of how to keep the ball.
The Importance of Tactical Coaching
Coaching focused on throw-ins can make a substantial difference.
Thomas Grønnemark’s work with clubs like Liverpool and FC Midtjylland has proven that teaching players how to handle throw-ins under pressure significantly increases possession retention.
Spurs should consider adopting a similar approach, dedicating training sessions to rehearsing throw-in scenarios.
Key Statistics Spurs Must Keep in Mind
- Direction of Throws: Backward throw-ins are the safest, with a success rate of nearly 100%, while forward throws result in higher turnovers.
- Success Correlation: Teams that retain possession from throw-ins tend to finish higher in the Premier League.
- Long Throws: While they can be useful in certain situations, long throw-ins often fail to retain possession. Spurs should focus on shorter, controlled throw-ins aimed at maintaining ball possession.
Tactical Recommendations for Spurs
Prioritize Backward and Lateral Throws: Encourage players to throw backward or laterally to a teammate in space rather than aiming for forward throws under pressure. This ensures possession retention.
Train Players on Quick and Clever Throws: Spurs should introduce specific drills for quick throw-ins to catch opponents off guard, and clever throw-ins aimed at creating space for teammates rather than just launching the ball downfield or short throw-ins to return the ball to the thrower with no idea of the next set of passes to get out of a tight situation.
Hire a Specialist or Assign a Coach for Throw-ins: Like Grønnemark’s work at Liverpool, assigning a coach to focus on optimizing throw-ins provided the Merseyside club with a tactical edge.
Throw-In Training Example: The Triangle Routine
Objective:
Create a quick passing triangle near the throw-in taker, offering multiple short-range options to retain possession and move the ball upfield efficiently.1. Setup:
- The throw-in taker should be positioned just inside the halfway line.
- One player (Player A) positions themselves around 5–7 yards forward, toward the touchline, drawing in a defender.
- A second player (Player B) should position slightly backward and central, around 5 yards from the throw-in taker, serving as the primary outlet.
- A third player (Player C) moves toward the midfield circle, staying available to receive the ball centrally if needed.
2. Execution:
- Step 1: The throw-in taker throws the ball directly to Player B, who quickly passes it back to the throw-in taker (this ensures no immediate defensive pressure on the taker).
- Step 2: As the ball is returned, Player A makes a diagonal run toward the throw-in taker’s initial position. The throw-in taker then passes to Player A.
- Step 3: Player C moves into the space vacated by Player A’s run, becoming a central passing option if Player A is under pressure.
- Step 4: Once the ball reaches Player A, they have the option to:
- Pass to Player C to switch play centrally, or
- Carry the ball up the line if space has opened up due to the movement.
Notes:
Step 1 is frequently seen but a potential problem here is being too close, thus giving the original player receiving the ball back, no time. Spurs fall into this trap.
Key Points:
- This routine relies on short, quick passes and player movement, minimizing the risk of a turnover by keeping the ball close and in play.
- It avoids the risk of long backward throws, which often invite higher opposition pressure or put 11 men behind the ball.
- The triangle structure allows for easy rotation and flexibility, providing the thrower multiple safe passing options to retain possession.
Why It Works:
Problems:
- Poor throw-in, not to feet makes the return pass more difficult, resulting in the thrower having to take too much time to control the ball before he can play it to a teammate. You see poor throw-ins, not to feet frequently from Spurs
THBN Wrap Up: Small Tweaks, Big Impact
Tottenham Hotspur's recent throw-in issues are not unique, but they are avoidable.
By implementing a more structured approach, focusing on possession retention and perhaps bringing in a throw-in coach, Spurs can avoid losing possession at crucial moments, potentially preventing the kind of momentum shifts that occurred against Brighton or loss to Newcastle United.
As the data shows, throw-ins may be undervalued, but they are far from insignificant in shaping the outcome of games.
THBN Answers Your Questions
1. Why are throw-ins often overlooked as a key part of strategy?
Throw-ins don’t receive as much attention as corners or free kicks despite being far more frequent. This is largely because they’re seen as transitional moments rather than goal-scoring opportunities. However, research by Barry, Stone and others shows that possession retention from throw-ins has a direct correlation with team success. Teams that retain possession for at least 7 seconds after a throw-in tend to perform better over the course of a season. By underestimating throw-in routines, Spurs miss an opportunity to control the flow of the game.
2. Should Tottenham focus on short or long throw-ins?
Based on statistical analysis, shorter throw-ins are far more successful in retaining possession. Long throw-ins, while occasionally useful for gaining ground, tend to result in lower possession retention rates. In the Premier League, only 8.8% of throw-ins led to a shot following first contact, making long throws less efficient unless executed under specific tactical circumstances. Tottenham should therefore prioritize shorter throw-ins aimed at maintaining possession and building play.
3. How can Spurs use throw-ins as an attacking weapon?
While possession retention is crucial, throw-ins can be used more aggressively to create chances. Some teams, like FC Midtjylland, have successfully used long throw-ins as an attacking strategy, scoring 10 goals in one season from them. Tottenham could employ a mix of clever throw-ins to open up space and quick throw-ins to catch opponents off guard.
COYS
Post a Comment