24-year-old defender Stewart Givens is in his second season with the Michigan Bucks, yet game after game, he conti
nues to turn the heads of fans, opponents and teammates alike.
But it is not with his defensive prowess, leadership or even his ability to attack the net, all of which have helped the Bucks to a 7-1-1 record this season. Givens, a team co-captain, possesses one of the best throw-ins in the United Soccer League’s (USL) Premier Development League (PDL).
“For a lack of a better comparison, [David] Beckham does certain things for the team he plays on; it’s free kicks, it’s service, he’s got a great right foot and he can put the ball on a dime. In Stew’s case, it’s set plays from the throw-in standpoint. He’s lethal with getting the ball into dangerous positions,” Michigan coach Gary Parsons said.
“There’s probably…one or two guys [that we’ll see] the whole summer that have got that ability, so if he isn’t the best he’s right up there with the best.”
With a few steps and a flick, Givens can the get ball in from the sidelines to the middle of the box, routinely creating unique scoring opportunities for his team. The Bucks have already netted three goals off of his throw-ins this season, the latest coming against the Toronto Lynx on June 12th.
“I’ve played teams before where they’ll give us corners instead of throw ins, just because it’s harder to defend,” Givens said. “The throw in is kind of tougher to read for defenses. Even when I’m defending [against] someone with a long throw, it’s tougher to judge.”
Givens explained that his ability to launch the ball in, often forty yards or further, comes from both a natural flexibility and a strong core.
“I’ve always had a big throw in since like…the first or second grade; [I could throw the ball] just always farther than everyone. I didn’t really…figure out how I was able to do it until later on, probably in my later teens,” he said. “My shoulders are really flexible, and I think it helps to have a really strong core; that’s where I get all my speed and momentum for it.”
However, Givens says that he does not need to do any extra workouts or special training to be able to consistently throw the ball in long distances.
“It’s just more the repetition of doing it…and having the flexibility to really whip [the ball] in and use my momentum that way to kind of just slingshot it,” he noted.Though his throw-in is most noticeably used to generate scoring opportunities, Givens is able to provide Michigan with the same lift defensively. If the ball goes out deep in the Bucks’ own end, he can easily clear it to midfield with a throw.
“Even when you’re getting pinned in…he can relieve the pressure by getting the ball forty yards up the field,” Parsons said. “If somebody else has a throw-in, then [the other team is] locking you right in that corner of the field and they’re trying to win the ball back, and when they win it back, it’s in a dangerous part of the field.”
Still, for Givens, a part of the fun and thrill of the throw-in is from the reaction that he gets after launching the ball into play.
“As we start the season, the first couple of games, everyone is kind of shocked how far it actually goes,” he said. “My favorite thing is when I take a throw-in by the fans for the first time. Everyone is [astonished]…because usually people have never seen it that far.”
