Premier League Throw-Ins: Quick Throws, Long Throws, and Why It Matters

In football, throw-ins rarely grab the headlines — but it’s an underrated part of the game that can dictate tempo, frustrate opponents, and spark attacking opportunities. Using Hudl Statsbomb data we’ve analysed throw-in time data across all Premier League teams during the 2024-25 season, breaking it down into five key metrics:

• Overall Average Throw-In Time

• Own Half Throw-In Time

• Opposition Half Throw-In Time

• Home Match Throw-In Time

• Away Match Throw-In Time

  NB: Throw-In time based on the time between the throw-in being taken and the previous event.

  
  

The numbers reveal fascinating differences in approach — some teams clearly prefer to restart play quickly, while others take their time, possibly to control rhythm or slow the game down.

1. Average Throw-In Time

Fastest: Newcastle United (13.0 seconds)

Slowest: Brentford (20.0 seconds)

Newcastle’s quick throw-ins reflect Eddie Howe’s high-tempo, pressing style. They waste little time in restarts, often using throw-ins as mini set-pieces to catch teams off guard.Brentford, on the other hand, are deliberate — their long throws and structured restarts under Thomas Frank mean they use the moment to set up aerial battles and attacking patterns.

2. Own Half Throw-In Time

Fastest: Manchester City (13.94 seconds)

Slowest: Nottingham Forest (20.08 seconds)

Manchester City don’t linger in their defensive third — they use quick restarts to maintain rhythm and attempt to pull the opposition out of shape. Forest’s slow pace could well have been tactical, giving them time to reset their defensive structure and avoid risky turnovers deep in their own territory.

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3. Opposition Half Throw-In Time

Fastest: Chelsea (11.97 seconds)

Slowest: Brentford (20.83 seconds)

Chelsea’s rapid throws in the attacking half suggest a desire to get their technically strong attacking players on the ball before the opposition can recover into shape. By contrast, Brentford’s patience here reflects their focus on precision — throw-ins become opportunities to load the box and execute planned routines rather than rush play. Brentford topped the throw-in xG chart last season by some way. You can find more information on this in another one of articles; Who Is Martin Mark? Newcastle United’s New Set-Piece Coach

4. Home Match Throw-In Time

Fastest: Manchester City & Liverpool (12.35 seconds)

Slowest: Nottingham Forest (19.34 seconds)

Liverpool and Man City both play high-energy, possession-focused football, so quick throw-ins at home make perfect sense — the home crowd fuels tempo and intensity and allow their opponents minimal time to rest. Forest’s slower restarts might be about game management, particularly against stronger sides where slowing play can help break momentum or when protecting a lead, as was often the case last season. 

5. Away Match Throw-In Time

Fastest: Newcastle United (13.01 seconds)

Slowest: Brentford (20.32 seconds)

Newcastle’s quick away throws again align with their aggressive style. Brentford’s away approach seems unchanged — they still prefer to slow things down, perhaps to control the tempo and reduce chaotic transitions in hostile environments.

Patterns and Possible Explanations

• High-Tempo Teams (Newcastle, Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea) consistently rank among the quickest across metrics. This matches their broader tactical identities — quick restarts help maintain pressure on opponents.

• Deliberate, Structured Teams (Brentford, Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa) often appear at the slower end. These sides may tend to use long throw-in routines in the final third.

• Tactical Flexibility is notable in mid-ranked teams like Arsenal and Brighton, whose throw-in speeds vary depending on the zone of the pitch.

In the Premier League, throw-ins are an important factor in a team’s overall style of play and every throw-in is a chance to gain an edge. Smart throw-in strategies can maintain possession, escape a press, build pressure in games and create goal scoring opportunities. The best teams don’t just throw it in—they throw with purpose.