So time for another edition of random dumb soccer questions:
Why is everyone so bad at throw-ins? It's like everyone just accepts there's a 50-50 shot that a throw is a turnover.
Also has anyone ever considered setting up free kick walls that aren't shoulder to shoulder but like half a ball-width apart? The ball still wouldn't get through but you'd have a wider wall and the goalie could possibly see better!
I have always thought teams are not aggressive enough at trying to win the ball on throw ins. You have an extra guy!
As far as free kick walls- I think that would make it even harder for the goalie to see. The idea of the wall is to try and eliminate half the goal and let the goalie focus on the other half. Free kick specialists have gotten pretty good at getting the ball up and over so now the goalie still needs to try and play it more straight up and they will make saves on the wall side sometimes but also occasionally they will let in something because they are leaning to the wall side.
It is really tough to get the ball up and over so it is not a gimmie by any means.
The really interesting thing to watch is how teams are doing corners, there has been quite a bit of innovation and you regularly see pretty intricate plays. Teams now have basically a “special teams” coach to handle these situations and draw up plays and strategies.