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Throw-ins
Delap, a former schoolboy javelin champion, is renowned for having one of the longest and most feared throw-ins in football; his throws, noted by Martin O'Neill as equivalent to "a corner or a free kick", often range 30–40 metres (98–130 ft) (averaging 38 m (125 ft)), and can reach the speed of 60 km/h (37 mph). They have served as an assist in more than one case before 2008. Numerous experts, including his former manager Tony Pulis, have commented on the technique Delap employs, the length and flatness undoing many a defence. "It causes so many problems (amongst the opposition defence). I think it's because they're so flat. They're not lofted into the air, he throws it pretty flat and it's very difficult for defenders to pick up the flight."
Fellow professionals similarly renowned for long throw-ins, such as Mario Melchiot, formerly of Wigan Athletic, and Lee Dixon, formerly of Arsenal, have also spoken of their admiration for Delap. Melchiot described Delap's ability as "one hell of a throw-in" and a "great weapon", having already set Delap out for unique praise in stating that he did not think there was "anyone in the league that can throw like him".
To increase the momentum of the throw, Delap takes four steps from the advertising boards around the pitch, followed by one long stride. In doing this he plants his front foot solidly on the ground propelling all momentum forward, thus increasing the speed with which the ball is released. Delap says he does not work on building his upper body strength and physique, although he uses his shoulders and lower back muscles to give power to his throw. For the ball to reach his target faster, Delap throws it on a flat trajectory releasing in such a way to cause large amounts of backspin. This helps to counter gravity so the ball will travel on a more level elevation even though it is released at such a low angle. He tends to target two players within 6ft of each other. His throw-ins are reputed as more accurate than most corners being that more muscles are used to control the direction in which the ball travels.
Factors, according to Dixon's analysis, which further enhance the dangerous nature of Delap's throw-ins are the fact that "you cannot be offside from a throw-in, so the attackers can crowd the six-yard box" and "because a free-kick starts with the ball on the ground it means it has to have a natural arc in order to get up and over the first defender", whereas "from a throw-in the ball starts from six foot and it is the angle and trajectory of Delap's darts that make them so potent".
In the 2008–09 Premier League season Delap's throw-ins led directly to both goals scored in at least two matches. Both Stoke goals in the 3–2 loss to Everton on 14 September 2008 came about as a result of Delap's throw. Afterwards Everton manager David Moyes referred to Delap as the "Human Sling".[88] Later, Delap used his ability to help score Stoke's goals in the 2–1 victory over Arsenal at the Britannia Stadium on 1 November 2008. The first of these travelled 45 metres from the sideline into the penalty area.
The then Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari described the technique as "fantastic" and suggested the goalkeeper ought not to attempt claiming the ball in this situation. "I think he puts the ball better with his hands than his foot, it's fantastic. I have never seen anything like this in my life; 10 metres outside midfield, this boy puts the ball inside the area. Maybe it's not beautiful football but it's effective."
While many believe Delap should use his throwing ability to his team's advantage, Arsène Wenger is against the idea. He stated in an interview on the Arsenal website. "For example at Stoke, for Rory Delap it is like kicking the ball. It is a little bit of an unfair advantage. He is using a strength that is usually not a strength in football. So [the rule I would change would be] maybe to play throw-ins by foot. Why not? I think it would make the game quicker. Football is the most popular team game in the world and one day some crazy guy said 'we don't use the hands'. How could you have imagined on that day a game that is completely natural to play with your hands would become the most popular sport?"
Some teams have used techniques to try and put Delap off his long throws. Notable examples include, against Hull City on 29 November 2008; goalkeeper Boaz Myhill kicking the ball out for a corner instead into touch when under pressure. Unused Tigers substitute Dean Windass received a yellow card for unsporting behaviour after warming up too close to Delap when preparing to take a throw-in. On 27 March 2010, West Ham United erected an extra set of hoardings considerably close to the touchline to hamper Delap's run-up, but he was still capable of reaching the penalty box in spite of the limited space. These hoardings backfired when a misplaced throw from Hammers defender Julien Faubert led to Ricardo Fuller to score the only goal of the game in the Potters' favour. Burnley also tried a similar tactic however the match finished 1–1 with Stoke's goal coming from a Delap throw.
Delap served as the inspiration for Danny Brooks – a P.E. teacher from West Yorkshire who broke the world record for the longest football throw-in. He performed a flip throw to gain extra momentum and lifted the record to 49.78 metres (163 ft).[96] The record was once again broken on 18 June 2010, and is now held by Thomas Gronnemark of Denmark, who threw the ball 51.33 metres (168 ft).
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