Rory Delap Reflects on Coaching and the Evolution of Long Throw-Ins in Football

Rory Delap, known for his remarkable long throws during his tenure at Stoke City, recalls an impactful moment from his grassroots coaching experience with his son, Liam. At a primary school match, Rory stepped in as a coach when Liam’s team was trailing. With just thirty seconds remaining, Liam executed two long throws, leading to a goal. This spirited moment, however, resulted in frustration from the opposing parents, leaving Liam in tears despite the victory. Rory humorously noted that this incident marked the end of his coaching career at that level.

At 22, Liam Delap has begun to carve out a successful career, progressing from Manchester City’s academy to the first team, then moving to Ipswich Town and eventually securing a £30 million transfer to Chelsea. Rory expressed immense pride in his son’s achievements, emphasizing the challenges faced along the way. He highlighted Liam’s determination to succeed, noting the difficulties of leaving home at 16 to pursue his dream. Rory advised him to work hard, treat people with respect, and remain focused, acknowledging both the opportunities and setbacks that come with the journey.

This season has seen a notable resurgence in the use of long throw-ins, with clubs like Arsenal, Brentford, and Sunderland effectively employing this tactic to break down defenses. Rory Delap attributes this trend to the tactical influence of Pep Guardiola, whose approach has shaped playstyles across football over the past decade. He observed that while many teams aim to play technically, there is a growing recognition of the importance of set pieces as defensive skills wane among certain players trained primarily in technical play.

Although Rory is currently recovering from a hamstring injury and not on long throw-in duties for Chelsea, he is eager to contribute effectively when they face Wolverhampton Wanderers in their upcoming Premier League match.