Goal Kicks & Throw-Ins

A goal kick is taken from anywhere inside the six-yard box by the defending team. Since the 2019 IFAB rule change, opponents no longer need to leave the penalty area before a goal kick is taken — the ball simply must exit the penalty area before any outfield player touches it. If a teammate receives the ball inside the penalty area before it crosses the line, the kick is retaken. Goalkeepers frequently take goal kicks short to a centre-back or full-back to initiate build-up play, especially at clubs that favour positional or possession-based football.

A throw-in must be taken with both feet on or behind the touchline, and the ball must be delivered with both hands over the head from behind and over the thrower's head — in one continuous motion. A throw-in that is not executed properly results in possession being turned over to the opponent. Remi Garde and later Jürgen Klinsmann famously employed throw-in coaches at their clubs, recognising that proper throw-in technique — especially long throws — could create genuine attacking opportunities. Rory Delap's long throws for Stoke City were a significant tactical weapon in the Premier League between 2008 and 2012.

Both restarts have evolved tactically. Modern teams use short goal kicks as the beginning of a structured build-up pattern, drawing pressure before switching the ball quickly to an open side. Throw-ins in dangerous wide areas can function almost like set pieces — players make organised runs into the box while the thrower launches the ball long. Teams with agile wide players often win throw-ins in advanced positions deliberately, pressing opponents into the touchline to manufacture a restart they can exploit.

Foot faults on throw-ins — where one or both feet leave the ground or cross the touchline — are among the most common technical errors in amateur football. At the elite level, short goal kicks that are intercepted by a high press (as Barcelona's opponents have used against them at times) can be tactically devastating. Teams that do not practice their restarts give up significant territory and possession — studies using Opta data suggest teams win roughly 50% of throw-ins in their own half, but only 35% when those throws are poorly planned.