Former Tranmere Rovers defender Dave Challinor holds the world record for longest throw-in. The 33-year-old, now with Colwyn Bay, threw the ball 46.34 metres at Prenton Park in 1998 to smash former Swansea star Andy Legg's record on his way to propelling Tranmere to the League Cup final and FA Cup quarter-final in 1999-2000.

Step one: Get the grip right... and dry the ball 
“It’s quite a narrow grip, but the key to success is having a dry ball. A lot of players put it under their shirt or wipe it with their sleeves, but during a game you sweat a lot, so it’s not always easy. And it’s especially difficult when it’s raining or wet.

"For one season with Tranmere (1999-2000) we were allowed to use towels, but then the Football League got involved and I don’t think you can do it now, unless the opposition do it as well.”
 


Step two: Sort out your run-up
“I try to get a five to 10 yard run-up, but it can be done after a few yards if that’s not possible, which is the case at smaller grounds.

"It’s like taking a free-kick: you can do it after one step but you won’t get the same distance, power or speed. Ideally you need five to 10 yards.”

Step three: Fix your sights on the target
“You’ve got to be wary of keepers who come off their line as that can nullify a long throw. But if you surround the keeper with players, it can cause them big problems and you can really go for it. I aim for the far post and get the players attacking it.

"It doesn’t work if you just lump it into the middle because teams know what you’re going to do. You have to mix it up, but the ideal is to keep it away from the keeper, around six to eight feet from the line.”



Step four: Focus on the right technique
“People think it’s all about the power in your arms, but all of the force comes from the release. It’s more about speed than power, and that ‘whipping’ motion as you let the ball go.

"If someone were to measure the speed of that I think they’d be surprised – that’s where the distance comes from. It’s not so much about the grip or how far you arc your arms back, it’s the snap at the end that counts.”

Check out Weekend Wonders' interview with Dave Challinor and click here. For expert advice on how to defend a long throw-in click here.