United Hearts — Week 32 — Austin Hearts FC

Session 185 min

Throw-In Tactics – Creating Attacks from Restarts

Attacking Throw-Ins

Objective: Players use the throw-in as a positive attacking tool through pre-rehearsed movements that maintain possession and create forward momentum.

Outcomes

✓Players can execute a two-option throw-in routine (short-short-long or hold-and-turn) to retain possession
✓Players can time a run to receive a throw-in in behind the first defender
✓Players can perform a throw-in technique that is legally correct and accurate at range
✓Players can recover a second ball from a contested throw-in and immediately counter-attack

Equipment

10 cones
4 bibs (2 colours)
4 balls
2 full-size goals
2 goalkeepers

Run of show

1. Activation & 11+ Warm-Up
15m
Set up: Players in pairs along the touchline, 10 yds apart.
How to run it: FIFA 11+ protocol: jogging, hip circles, lateral shuffles, single-leg balance, lateral hops, two 25-yd sprints. Add a throw-in technique warm-up: each pair practises overhead throws (two feet behind the line, ball released from behind the head, legal follow-through). 10 reps each. Progress to a throw-in with movement: one player makes a curved run to receive the throw in stride.
- ›Both feet must be on or behind the touchline at the moment of release
- ›Ball released from behind the head – not from the side or under-arm
- ›Receiver's curved run creates separation from the defender and gives the thrower a clean target
Receive on the half-turn and play forwardNeutral / serverBallAttackerDefenderPassDribble (with ball)
2. Technical/Functional Practice – Throw-In Routine Rehearsal
15m
Set up: Touchline at three positions: defensive third, middle third, attacking third. Two routines per zone. Three groups of 5 rotate through zones.
How to run it: Defensive third: Routine A – short throw to feet, lay-off back to thrower who turns and plays forward. Middle third: Routine B – dummy movement away from the thrower, then sharp cut back to receive in space. Attacking third: Routine C – long throw into the box to a target player who flicks it on, plus two runners attacking near and far post. Run each routine 4 times per zone.
- ›Defensive third: safety first – no risky turns; play the safe ball forward or back
- ›Middle third: the dummy movement must be convincing – sell the run away before cutting back
- ›Attacking third long throw: target player must win the header for the flick-on to work
- ›All throw-ins: thrower must be on the line and ready before defenders set
Receive on the half-turn and play forwardNeutral / serverBallAttackerDefenderPassDribble (with ball)
3. Skill/Phase Game – Throw-In Game
15m
Set up: 50×30 yd pitch with touchlines. 6v6 with two mini goals at each end. All restarts are throw-ins (no kicks). Defenders must be 1 yd from the thrower.
How to run it: Normal play but all restarts use throw-ins. Teams earn a bonus point for maintaining possession for 4 passes after a throw-in. Coach freezes play once to show a throw-in routine that is being under-utilised. Play two 7-minute rounds.
- ›Treat the throw-in as an opportunity, not a formality
- ›Movement before the throw-in is as important as the throw itself
- ›Don't throw into congestion – use a pre-planned route to a free player
Keep possession & switch the point of attackAttackerBallDefenderPassRun (off ball)
4. Conditioned Tactical Game – Throw-In Bonus in Match
20m
Set up: Full 60×44 yd pitch. 9v9 with goalkeepers.
How to run it: Normal 9v9. Any goal scored within four passes of a throw-in counts double. Coach signals the routine to use from the touchline when a throw-in occurs (call 'A', 'B', or 'C'). After 10 minutes play freely without coaching. Coach observes and notes 2 throw-in moments for debrief.
- ›Thrower should look up before stepping to the line – identify the routine based on what they see
- ›Support the thrower: at least two options must present themselves before the throw
- ›Throw quickly if the defence is disorganised – first moments after a restart are vulnerable
- ›Defensive transition from a throw-in: if possession is lost, press immediately near the touchline
5. Scrimmage – Free Play
15m
Set up: Full pitch, 9v9, goalkeepers.
How to run it: Open scrimmage. Coach specifically watches for the quality of throw-in movements and post-throw possession sequences.
- ›Are players making structured movements before throw-ins?
- ›Is the thrower taking their time and reading the game?
Keep possession & switch the point of attackAttackerBallDefenderPassRun (off ball)
6. Cool-Down & Debrief
5m
Set up: Circle, static stretching.
How to run it: Stretching while reviewing: 'What are the three things a receiver must do before a throw-in?' (make a movement, create separation, give a clear target). Name the best throw-in of the session and what made it successful.
- ›Reinforce: throw-ins are free possessions – never waste them
- ›Close with homework

Session 285 min

Throw-Ins in Phase of Play – Pressure & Transition

Attacking Throw-Ins

Objective: Players apply throw-in routines under realistic pressure with immediate transition focus after the throw.

Outcomes

✓Players can choose the correct throw-in routine based on the defender's position in real time
✓Players can exploit a disorganised defensive restart to create a quick attacking sequence
✓Players can regain possession after a contested throw-in and transition immediately to attack
✓Players can maintain compactness defensively when the opposition takes a throw-in in the final third

Equipment

10 cones
4 bibs (2 colours)
4 balls
2 full-size goals
2 goalkeepers

Run of show

1. Activation & 11+ Warm-Up
15m
Set up: Two groups of 7 in a 40×25 yd grid. 6v1 rondo in a 10×10 yd zone.
How to run it: FIFA 11+ warm-up sequence, then 6v1 rondo for 8 minutes. Possession players score a point for every 6 consecutive passes; the defender scores a point for a turnover (and another defender joins). Finish with two 30-yd striding acceleration runs.
- ›Rondo: quick feet, open body, play early
- ›Defenders: press at an angle to reduce the passing options to two, not four
- ›Tempo: no hesitation on the pass – the quicker the tempo, the less time the defender has to adapt
Keep-away rondo — quick passing around the defenderAttackerBallDefenderPass
2. Technical/Functional Practice – Contested Throw-In Sequences
15m
Set up: Half pitch divided into three zones. 3v3 in each zone with throw-ins as the only restart. One team designated as 'throwers', one as 'defenders'.
How to run it: Teams play 3v3 in each zone. Every 90 seconds, coach blows the whistle and awards a throw-in to one team in a specific zone. That team must execute a routine. After the throw, play continues live until a goal or clearance. Teams rotate zones every 4 minutes. Defenders must immediately press the thrower – no passive defending.
- ›Thrower: if the first movement doesn't open up, look for the second option immediately
- ›Receivers: movement timing is crucial – don't move too early or you'll pull the defender with you
- ›After the throw is received, the thrower must get back onto the pitch quickly to be an option
Press as a unit — pressure the ball, cut passing lanesDefenderBallAttackerRun (off ball)
3. Skill/Phase Game – Transition from Throw-Ins
15m
Set up: Full pitch. 6v6 plus goalkeepers. Every goal must include a throw-in in the sequence (at least one throw-in in the build-up within the last 5 passes).
How to run it: Play 6v6. Goals only count if the scoring team had a throw-in in their possession sequence within the last 5 passes. Coach counts passes and confirms validity. After a goal, restart from a throw-in by the defending team.
- ›Encourage teams to use the touchline tactically – play it out for a throw-in to use the restart
- ›After a throw-in, attack with urgency: the defence may not be set
- ›Defensive team: compact shape from a throw-in in your half, wide press from a throw-in in theirs
Receive the pass, attack the goal, finishKeeperNeutral / serverBallAttackerConePassRun (off ball)Shot
4. Conditioned Tactical Game – Full 9v9 with Throw-In Focus
20m
Set up: Full 60×44 yd pitch. 9v9 with goalkeepers.
How to run it: Normal 9v9. Coach counts throw-ins during the game. At each throw-in, he signals whether to use the pre-practised routine or play freely. During the final 8 minutes, play is completely free with no coaching input. Coach notes the most impactful throw-in of the game for the debrief.
- ›Quick throw-ins catch the defence transitioning – always look to throw quickly if the opportunity is there
- ›Maintain defensive awareness when the ball goes out – even throw-ins need defensive cover behind
- ›Celebrate successful throw-in sequences that lead to attacks – reinforce the habit
5. Scrimmage – Free Play
15m
Set up: Full pitch, 9v9, goalkeepers.
How to run it: Open scrimmage. Coach observes throw-in habits without intervention. Are players using routines spontaneously?
- ›Look for players using session language ('routine B', 'hold and turn')
- ›Note the quality of throw-in movement from players who are not the primary receiver
Small-sided game with goalkeepersKeeperAttackerBallDefenderPassDribble (with ball)Shot
6. Cool-Down & Debrief
5m
Set up: Circle on the centre spot, static stretching.
How to run it: Light stretching. Coach summarises weeks 31–32 (set pieces + throw-ins): 'Every restart is an opportunity. Organised teams win more restarts than disorganised ones.' Name one player who consistently used restarts well over both sessions.
- ›Preview next week: defending set pieces
- ›End with energy and a team hand-in