Back in 2008, Rory Delap possessed a tactical weapon that helped Stoke City cause mayhem in the penalty box. 17 years later, that same tactical weapon is back in business and being used by many Premier League sides.
Some like it, others don’t. But one thing is certain, long throw-ins are back. But why has this happened now?
First of all, what is a long throw? Officially, it’s a throw-in at that travels at least 20 metres in distance and lands in the opponent’s 18-yard box.
On the opening weekend of the Premier League season, 11 out of the 20 teams launched a long throw into the opposition’s penalty area. Last season, just four teams did so.
On the opening weekend of 2025/26, there was an average of 3.03 long throws per match. That’s the highest ever and by some way. It was almost double the rate in any other season over the last 10 years, the previous high was just 1.67 per match in 2018/19.
The reason why teams are buying in to what some consider an ugly approach is because it’s proven so successful.
Last season, 14 goals were scored from long throws, the most on record since 2015/16. In 2022/23 and 2023/25 combined, only 13 were scored. And, already this season, x goals have been scored from long throws.
In 2024/25, long throw chances generated and xG of 15.9, meaning even more goals could have been scored. This isn’t just luck, it’s a data-driven trend that more teams are discovering.
The team that have mastered it already are Brentford. They have created 48 chances from long throws since the start of last season, scoring seven goals. In that same time period, no other Premier League side has managed more than two goals.
The Bees have benefitted immensely from the appointment of Thomas Gronnemark who is an expert in throw-ins. He worked with Liverpool for five years and now supports Brentford in this niche area of the game.
Speaking to Breaking The Lines, Gronnemark said: “Throw-ins are underestimated… coaches all over the world are lacking knowledge in throw-ins and there’s a really need for improvement in football.”
Since his appointment, Brentford have topped the xG from throw-ins chart in each of the last three seasons. Despite their success, Brentford boss Keith Andrews believes there is “a little bit of snobbery” around their goal-scoring methods.
Long throws are so difficult to defend though, which is why many other sides are hopping on the trend. On Match of the Day, Ashley Williams admitted that long throws are “weirdly difficult to defend”.
He said: “Because it’s a different angle, it creates chaos.”
It seems that we are beginning to see a shift in perception. Clubs are actively scouting for throw-in takers, coaches that specialise in the area are being appointed and throw-ins are now being reframed as a set-piece, not just routine restarts.
Long throws have gone from overlooked and frowned upon to an essential part of the game. This season could mark a turning point where throw-ins gain their own tactical approach.
For a weapon that was not long ago considered ‘old-school’, long throws are now set to give some sides the cutting edge in the Premier Legaue this season.
Written by Isabelle Newnham
INMR FOOTBALL 
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