The Resurgence of Long Throws: Brentford Leads the Charge

A Tactical Renaissance

The long throw is making a notable comeback in professional football. Once a game-changer for Rory Delap at Stoke City in 2008, the tactic created considerable challenges for opposing defenses. Now, Brentford has emerged as the new experts in leveraging this strategy effectively.

In a recent match against Chelsea, Brentford’s Fabio Carvalho netted the equalizer in the dying moments, benefiting from a long throw by Kevin Schade, which resulted in a dramatic 2-2 draw. Throughout the match, the Bees demonstrated the potency of long throws, with multiple attempts coming from both Michael Kayode and Schade, putting Chelsea’s defense under pressure.

Chelsea’s goalkeeper, Robert Sanchez, notably tipped a long throw from Schade over the bar, and Brentford has now claimed seven goals from long throws since the previous season—far surpassing all other teams in the Premier League.

Although the implementation of long throws might not be aesthetically pleasing, their effectiveness cannot be denied. Brentford manager Keith Andrews commented, “There seems to be some snobbery in football when it comes to tactics like these. If bigger clubs use it, it appears more acceptable.”

Responding to inquiries about preventing goals from long throws, Chelsea’s manager Enzo Maresca stated, “The priority should be to avoid conceding the throw-in in the first place. Players like Kayode, Jensen, Schade, and Pinnock excel in executing long throws.”

Ashley Williams, a pundit on BBC Match of the Day and former captain of the Wales national team, added that defending against long throws can be surprisingly difficult. “Preparation typically focuses on corners and free-kicks, leaving teams unprepared for the chaos a long throw can induce off a different angle. It’s an aspect to consider training for more extensively,” he noted.

Former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given mentioned, “This approach is refreshing. Sometimes a return to basic principles, like launching the ball into the mix, can create havoc.”

Why Is Brentford So Proficient?

Before taking on the role of head coach, Andrews served as Brentford’s set-piece coach. Having played as a defensive midfielder, he has firsthand experience with the disruptive power of long throws, an experience he candidly described as “unpleasant.”

This history perhaps influenced his coaching philosophy at Brentford, where the long throw became a staple last season. Brentford scored five times from this tactic and generated 48 opportunities equating to 7.2 expected goals. Andrews acknowledged that the acquisition of Italian right-back Kayode from Fiorentina was partly motivated by his ability in this area.

“It’s been a part of our strategy for several years, not something new,” Andrews said. “The trend has been noticeable even in recent Champions League matches, indicating its return to regular use in the game.”

He continued, “In my previous role, we managed to create significant disruption with this tactic. Our objective will always be to explore avenues for achieving victories, and having multiple players capable of executing long throws is advantageous. It’s a tactic all coaches should consider to maximize goals while minimizing those conceded.”

Long Throws: A Modern Defensive Nightmare

Earlier this month, England’s coach Thomas Tuchel claimed that the long throw is once again trending in the sport. For many, this may evoke memories of iconic throwers like Dave Challinor and Steve Watson, whose throws once instigated panic in Premier League defenses.

Brentford isn’t the only club utilizing this tactic. Liverpool, the reigning Premier League champions, have recognized its potential as well. They onboarded Thomas Gronnemark as a throw-in specialist in 2018, and in the opening match of the current season, 11 out of 20 teams attempted at least one long throw.

Before the latest round of matches, the Premier League saw an average of three long throws into penalty areas per game, double the figures recorded in previous seasons. Gronnemark has consistently highlighted the misconception surrounding the significance of throw-ins. “Throw-ins are frequently underestimated—treated as a routine action when they can actually hold substantial strategic value,” he explained.

Under Gronnemark’s guidance, Liverpool improved their possession from throw-ins from 45.4% to a remarkable 68.4%, vaulting from 18th to the top position in the league in this aspect.

As clubs increasingly recognize the advantages of long throws, data shows an increase in long throw attempts reaching the opposition box—from 0.9 per game in the 2020-21 season to 1.5 in the current campaign. Additionally, goals resulting from long throws grew proportionally from 0.03% to 0.38% during the same period.