‘Flip Throw To Face’ Kid’s Web Redemption

Interview by Eric Beard

In what may potentially be the beginning of a new series (still working on a name, suggestions welcome) based off of Tosh.0’s web redemptions, we’re hoping to chat with some of the guys and girls that gained internet fame through football besides Elizabeth Lambert because she’s frightening. Today, we start with Paul Ladd. Of course, you don’t know Paul, but you may know his infamous flip throw that knocked someone out (video after the jump). To be honest, Paul’s not particularly in need of redemption because his flip throw is absolutely awesome. But 1) the kid who got hit has gone mute (he hasn’t) and 2) we just wanted to put Paul on the spot anyway.

So Paul, what’s your story?

I have been playing soccer since I was six.  It was always a fun sport to me and I happened to be pretty good at it.  Unfortunately I live in the state of Vermont and we have a limited season to play due to our winters.  In my senior year, I made the all-state team in Vermont that played against our neighbouring state New Hampshire.  After that I went to College at Johnson State where I played my freshman year. I did not like the way the program was run, so I decided not to play anymore.  I still play pick-up soccer and Futsal from time to time. I’m hoping to start a men’s league in my community and get more people involved.

 What inspired you to try the throw-in out?

When I was at a baseball camp during the summer, I saw a person practicing the flip throw.  I thought it was a cool trick and it would impress friends so I started working on it.

How did you react when the ball hit your opponent?

I actually didn’t even know I hit him with the ball.  The sound from the contact was surprisingly loud and when I turned, I saw him on the ground.  I was quite worried because I thought my heels hit him as my feet came around. After I looked at the footage, it is pretty comical. Because he ended up okay, it makes it even funnier. 

Did people think it was a set-up?

Many of the opposition’s parents thought it was intentional.  I do have really good accuracy and could probably do something like that if I wanted, but I will honestly say it was a miss throw due to the cold, wet weather and strange ball they supplied for the game. 

Had you practiced it in training first?

I used to practice it by showing my friends and seeing how far I could throw it.  I never started practicing it for games until my freshman year of high school. During the first day of tryouts, I was talking to my coach and told him after practice I wanted to show him a cool trick I could do.  At that point I could throw it from half field and one hop it into the goal.  I could average around 40+/- yards each time.  My team-mates thought it was an awesome trick and from there it became quite a big deal in our community.    

Have you carried on using the throw-in?

I used it in college and all through high school.  A cool thing about it was that we actually won that game, which was a state championship, because of my throw in.  I threw it with a high arc and the keeper was unable to handle it and knocked it off his hand into the post then into the goal.  This was the only goal of the game and a strange, but fitting, way to win.  It wasn’t the first time I’ve scored on the mishaps of goalies, but it gives them a tough choice because it only counts if someone touches it off a throw. There are so many players around the keeper waiting to tap it in, so it is really a pick your poison moment.  Now I just use it to show people who want to see me do it.

In college we actually treated it like a corner kick and made plays around it.  It ended up being quite successful because anything past the halfway line I could throw easily into the box. 

What do you think of the long throw-in as a tactic?

I think it is a good tactic for some teams, but not a good one for others.  Who wouldn’t like having a corner kick every time you cross halfway? But at the same time it is time consuming. I was a striker so anytime we wanted to do it I would have to sprint back to where the ball went out and then throw it. It builds on fatigue and slows down the pace, but if you can convert on at least one throw a game in a sport with low scoring it can be considered effective.

Anyway, that concludes our chat with Paul. A word of thanks needs to go out to Adidas for helping set this up for us. Paul’s featured as a part of adidas’ new Champions League competition for VIP Tickets to the Champions League final. The competition lets people use a simple video editor, pre-loaded with 70 clips all sourced from YouTube users, to answer this question: What would you do for Ultimate Access tickets to the UEFA Champions League? You can see the video editor and try it out here: http://a.did.as/oZ0hm8 - it’s basically a case of chopping the clips about, adding some words and submitting a video. Here’s my video, featuring Paul, the man, the legend: http://goo.gl/FjHxY

I would…. “Throw-In like a Mad Man with my mascot suit and streak in old school without flinching.” Oh, yes I would.