In football, where set-pieces are meticulously planned, the long throw-in remains a uniquely disruptive weapon. It turns a routine restart into a direct goal-scoring threat, striking fear into defenders and exciting fans.
Forget simple tosses back into play. We’re talking about throws that arc deep into the penalty area, creating chaos and goals. Here are the top 5 players with the longest and most effective throw-ins of all time.
5. Ian Hutchinson: The Chelsea Pioneer
Long before it was a common tactic, Chelsea’s Ian Hutchinson was a trailblazer in the 1960s and 70s. The striker used his prodigious throwing ability to devastating effect. His most famous moment came in the 1970 FA Cup Final replay, where a massive, looping long throw directly led to Chelsea’s winning goal against Leeds United, cementing his legacy as one of the original long-throw specialists.
4. Andy Legg: The Record-Holder of His Era
A cult hero in the 1990s, Andy Legg was known for his incredible throwing power. The Welsh defender, who played for clubs like Birmingham City and Cardiff City, once held the official world record for the longest throw-in. His mighty heave of 44.6 metres was a testament to his technique and strength, making him a constant threat from the touchline.
3. Megan Campbell: The Queen of the Long Throw
Megan Campbell has made the long throw her signature in the women’s game. The Irish defender, known for her time at Manchester City and the Republic of Ireland national team, possesses a remarkable ability to launch the ball into the box with both power and precision. Her throws are so potent that they have been directly credited with creating crucial goals at the highest level, including in major international tournaments.
2. Rory Delap: The Premier League’s Nightmare
Forget mere distance; Rory Delap’s legacy is defined by pure, unadulterated impact. During Stoke City’s famous Premier League era under Tony Pulis, Delap’s long throws became a league-wide phenomenon. His unique, javelin-style technique produced flat, driven missiles that caused panic in opposition defences. Statistics show his throws directly led to over 20 goals in just two seasons, making him the most tactically significant throw-in specialist in modern football history.
1. Michael Lewis: The World Record Holder
The official Guinness World Record for the longest throw-in belongs to American Michael Lewis. While not a household name in professional leagues, Lewis perfected an incredible “flip throw” technique, using a gymnastic-style approach to generate unmatched power. In 2019, he launched a throw-in an astonishing 59.8 metres (over 65 yards), a record that stands as the absolute benchmark for raw throwing distance.
From Pitch to Practice: The Rise of Throw-In Coaching
The success of specialists like Delap and Campbell didn’t go unnoticed. It sparked a revolution in how clubs view this skill. The hiring of experts like Thomas Gronnemark by Liverpool highlighted a new truth: a long throw isn’t just a genetic gift—it’s a coachable science.
This is where the journey from admirer to practitioner begins.
At Long Throw Coach, founded by specialist Frank Anderson, we live and breathe this science. With over 20 years of coaching experience, Frank has dedicated his career to deconstructing the art of the long throw. He is the innovator behind the heavy ball training method, a proven system designed to build the specific strength and technique needed to add serious distance and pinpoint accuracy to your game.
Whether you’re a grassroots player wanting to add a new weapon to your arsenal or a coach looking to give your team a tactical edge, the principles remain the same. The players on this list prove the power of the long throw. At Long Throw Coach, we provide the roadmap to master it.
Inspired to develop a game-changing throw of your own? Explore our tailored coaching programs and start your journey to becoming a set-piece specialist today!
