Rory John Delap (born 6 July 1976) is a former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. Born in England, he made 11 appearances for the Republic of Ireland national team.
Delap, a former schoolboy javelin champion, is renowned for having had 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 ranged 30–40 metres (98–131 ft) (averaging 38 m (125 ft)), and could reach the speed of 60 km/h (37 mph). They served as an assist in more than one case before 2008. Numerous experts, including his former manager Tony Pulis, commented on the technique Delap employed, 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 football professionals similarly renowned for long throw-ins, such as Mario Melchiot, formerly of Wigan Athletic, and Lee Dixon, formerly of Arsenal, also spoke 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 took four steps from the advertising boards around the pitch, followed by one long stride. In doing this he planted his front foot solidly on the ground propelling all momentum forward, thus increasing the speed with which the ball was released. Delap said he did not work on building his upper body strength and physique, although he used his shoulders and lower back muscles to give power to his throw. For the ball to reach his target faster, Delap threw it on a flat trajectory releasing in such a way as to cause large amounts of backspin. This helped to counter gravity so the ball travelled on a more level elevation even though it was released at such a low angle. He tended 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.
I have never seen anyone with a throw-in like Delap’s and I believe his missiles have created seven out of Stoke’s 13 league goals this season. I had a long throw and used to practice them, but I could only just about get it in the box. My team-mate Perry Groves could throw it a long way and we have seen the likes of Dave Challinor and Andy Legg do it – but nothing like Delap. Most long throws tend to be a bit loopy, whereas Delap’s are fired in like a free-kick – but even more dangerous.
Former England, Stoke City and Arsenal defender Lee Dixon, speaking in 2008.
Factors, according to Dixon’s analysis, which further enhanced the dangerous nature of Delap’s throw-ins were 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”. 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.”
Some teams developed techniques to try and put Delap’s long throws off. Notable examples include against Hull City on 29 November 2008, goalkeeper Boaz Myhill kicking the ball out beyond the byline for a corner kick instead of out into touch when under pressure; unused Hull 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 West Ham lost possession from a Julien Faubert throw-in, which led to Ricardo Fuller scoring the only goal of the game in Stoke’s 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 m (163.3 ft).[94] The record was once again broken on 18 June 2010, and is now held by Thomas Grønnemark of Denmark, who threw the ball 51.33 m (168.4 ft).
Happy Birthday Mr. Towel Man!
Credit: Wikipedia.
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