A tendency is emerging among Premier League teams. As a means of hounding their opponents from the start, a number of teams are hoofing the ball out for an opposing throw-in from kick-off – and The Athletic’s Michael Cox has proposed a regulation amendment to prohibit the controversial strategy.
This, however, is not a recent phenomena. According to The Athletic, former England manager Graham Taylor employed it in 1991 when the Three Lions played Poland. Taylor believed that, while unsuccessful, it was the ideal way to begin any encounter.
But, why is that? Kick-off is often a tough position to build from, and kicking it further afield, although losing possession, allows teams to move up the pitch more efficiently. Simply said, teams hope to retake possession after an opponent’s throw-in deep in their own half.
However, one may argue that the kick-off method, which is utilized by many teams across Europe, is not intended to push the opposition but rather to make them exposed to a backward ball. Exploiting the goalkeeper’s shaky touch could result in a wonderful opportunity to take an early lead.
A rule change could prevent the controversial rule used by Arsenal in their 1-0 defeat to Liverpool.
Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta used the tactic in a 1-0 loss to Liverpool, but Newcastle United and Crystal Palace have been the Premier League’s most common offenders since the season began, according to Michael Cox of The Athletic.
As a result, Peter Schmeichel was not satisfied with Arsenal’s decision to use the technique. Fabrizio Romano stated, “Arsenal are being stupid. ‘We are Arsenal, and we want to give our opponent the ball!’ Declan Rice, one of the top players in the country, just shoots for a Liverpool throw-in after kickoff! “It’s extremely negative!”
For those who are unaware, Paris Saint-Germain began their 5-0 defeat of Inter Milan in the Champions League final in the same manner – but, as previously stated, Cox – who specializes in tactical analysis for The Athletic – has proposed a potential solution that would deter teams from doing so.
Watch this compilation of PSG doing it throughout their Club World Cup campaign:
He claimed that a simple remedy to the ever-expanding approach is to allow clubs to bring any throw-ins deep in their own half in line with the 18-yard box.” One simple remedy would be to allow teams to take any throw-ins deep in their own half forward, level with the edge of their own penalty box.
“This wouldn’t entirely solve the issue — and it’s worth pointing out that Wharton seems to be putting the ball out of play 25 yards from the corner flag, rather than right next to it — but at least teams forced to hurl the ball forward with their first action of the game would be conceding possession further away from their own goal.”
“Is there an overreaction? Maybe, but football laws have always developed to guarantee that technical, possession-based play can compete with teams focused on physicality and territory,” Cox continued, implying that the technique may necessitate some form of reform.
“This is one of the reasons why it has become such a popular spectator sport. However, if purposely kicking the ball off the pitch becomes a frequent attacking tactic, the game will have moved perilously close to rugby union, necessitating reform.
Although there is nothing wrong with hoofing the ball out of play (according to the rules and regulations), it is more concerning that teams in England’s top flight believe that boxing teams in from the start is more valuable than retaining possession before attempting to fashion an opening with a lovely build-up move.
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