A tactical revolution is taking place in the Premier League, with the humble long throw making a stunning return to fashion.
New data from Opta reveals that the number of long throws has almost doubled this season, reaching a new high of 3.03 per game, the highest rate in the last five years.
The move is a clear reaction to the "Pepification of modern football" and the dominance of high-pressing tactics.
The resurgence of the long throw, which was once a staple of teams like Stoke City under Tony Pulis, has been a major talking point among pundits and coaches.
The statistic is a clear sign that a number of teams are looking for new ways to gain an edge over their opponents and that the long throw is now a legitimate route to goal.
The return of the long throw and why it works
In the 2024/25 season, 14 goals were scored following a long throw-in into the penalty area, which is more than any other season on record.
That has convinced more teams to invest time in weaponising their attacking throw-ins, and the results have been stark.
This season, there have already been three goals from long throws, a rate of one every 10 matches.
According to throw-in expert Thomas Gronnemark, who has worked with Brentford and Liverpool, the long throw is "like any other football action on the pitch.
"You can keep possession and score a goal."
The long throw is an effective way to bypass the press and create chaos in the opposition's box, which is a major reason why it is back in fashion.
The coaches behind the trend and its wider impact
The return of the long throw has been championed by a number of top coaches, including England manager Thomas Tuchel, who has publicly stated that "the long throw is back."
The manager's comments show that the tactic is now being used at the highest level and that it is seen as a legitimate way to score goals.
The tactic has also been championed by Brentford manager Keith Andrews, who is widely considered to be the "master" of the long throw.
The Bees have topped the charts for expected goals from throw-ins in each of the last three seasons, a clear indication of their prowess.
The return of the long throw is a major tactical shift in the Premier League, and it will be interesting to see how other teams react to this new trend.
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