Handball - attacking drills

Handball drills

1.) The first drill involves a simple throwing drill whereby individual must throw below a net/string (this can be lowered or increased in height to change the difficulty level of the training drill) and try to put the ball in the goal. 

Equipment required: 

• Poles x 2 
• string (2 meters minimum) 
• Goal 
• targets x 4
• balls 

(here is how it should look when set up)

The drill can be progressed by introducing targets in for example the corners to introduce a more accurate shot being required by the participants. This drill will help to improve general shooting as well as improving the transfer of weight from the front foot to the back foot.

        Adding to this the scenario is made closer to a game situation by making the player shoot around/under an obstacle, which in some ways replicates an opponent.   

2.) Another drill which we performed also focused on shooting, but also introduced dummies/fake shots and passes to one another. It involves 3 players, with the first one faking a shot and passing to the second to either his left or right and the second doing the same, with the third player taking the shot.

Equipment required:

• cones (for the players to know where to start there run up) 
• balls
• goal
• targets (optional) 

 (ADD VIDEO). 

This drill can then be progressed by introducing a keeper as well as possibly having the players weave in and out of one another to create multiple stimuli for the keeper to filter effectively increasing his reaction time. Psychological refractory period - (PRP) 'this refers to the period of time during which the response to a second stimulus is significantly slowed because a first stimulus is still being processed. (http://psychologydictionary.org/psychological-refractory-period-prp/)

        The drill will help to improve both short range passing and also shooting at close range (if you are the third player). The drill is made closer to a game situation by adding additional team mates and the fact that the drill should be performed at a high tempo so that there is less likelihood of opponents intercepting play. 

Handball - team performance profile

Handball - defensive drills

Handball - defensive drills

1.) For the defensive drill, the aim is to shuffle with play while maintaining shape. This will be performed in a simple 6 flat back formation, with each player taking up positions to cover the whole of the D area. The students cannot go further than the cones as this will cause them to lose their shape. There will be one attacker, who runs from either side of the court with the ball and the 6 defenders must adapt to where the ball has moved. 

Equipment required:

• Cones
• A hand ball 
• bibs 

The blue cross is the one attacker who is moving with the ball to cause the defenders to move to adjust to the position of the ball on the court. The red dots are the cones which will act as the boundary which the green (defending team) can not go further than, to make sure they maintain their shape. The green crosses are the defenders who must move with the ball (the keeper is not compulsory but could be useful to add in also).


2.) For the addition of this drill, the addition of extra attackers could be added, who can pass the ball between one another, while the defending team attempt to again maintain their shape. This of course will be mean that the defensive team will have to move much quicker and communicate much more effectively to succeed in this drill.

Equipment required:

• Cones
• A hand ball 
• bibs 

This is self-explanatory with the greens once again defending and moving with the ball, as well as the cones being the boundary and the blues being the attackers who can pass it among themselves.  

3.)For the final progression the aim of the session is for the defender who is closest to try to touch the attacker with the ball to succeed in this drill. This will mean that if the defender does not touch the attacker in time then they will have to quickly retreat to maintain their overall shape. 

Handball - warm up

Handball warm ups

1.) The first warm up drill was as follows:


Equipment required:

• Cones (at least 7) 
• Ball (x 1

The first participant (number 1) must pass to number 2 and then follow his pass, this continues all the way through to number 5. However once it reaches number 5 he must make a long pass back to number to the number 1 position and follow his pass again like the other participants.

This is useful for activating the correct Neuromuscular system to play handball most effectively. It also increases the temperature of the main muscle groups used in handball (latissimus dorsi, tricep braci, bicep braci and Pectorals) thus there is a smaller chance of injury. Like with any warm-up it also allows the body to become mentally prepared for sport (increased arousal levels) and physically through increased heart rate etc.


2.) The second drill is a simple cross over drill:

Handball - rules and regs

Rules and Regulations of a team sport

Team Sport one: Handball

	Description of Rule/Regulation	Example Situations
Scoring Systems	A goal is scored when it passes completely over the back goal line within the goal. Play resumes with the team in control of the ball from the goal keeper. When a team scores it can ONLY count as 1 point at any one time (no matter what the situation).	Example 1. – When a player shoots in open play and the ball crosses the line to score. Example 2. – When a player shoots from a 7 meter throw in closed play and the ball crosses the line to score. Example 3. – When a player shoots from a 9 meter throw in closed play and the ball crosses the goal line to score.
Starting play	In handball you start the game with what is called a throw-off and this is taken by the team that wins the coin toss and elects to start with the ball in its possession. The throw-off is taken in any direction from the centre of the court. It is preceded by a whistle, following which it must be taken within 3 seconds.  The player taking the throw-off must take a position with at least 1 foot on the centre line, and the other foot on or behind the line, and remains in this position until the ball has left his hand. The teammates of the thrower are not allowed to cross the centre line prior to the whistle.	Example 1. – When the game is started during the first half, play is restarted. Example 2. – When the game is started during the second half, Example 3. – When the game is started during one of the halves of extra time.
Officials	There are 2 referees, both a goal line referee and court referee. Their decisions cannot be challenged by anyone as they are of complete authority. However they are assisted by a timer and a scorer.	Example 1. – A referee may take action when a court referee makes a decision to give a foul. Example 2. – A referee may take action when a goal line referee when a goal line referee awards a goal because they have seen that the ball has crossed the line. Example 3. – A referee may take action when a court referee start.
Conduct	Do not use inappropriate language. Respect the rights, dignity and worthy of others. Promote the reputation of the sport (do not cause fights). Have an EHA qualification (where required). Make sure all required precautions Ensuring the wellbeing and safety of each participant are covered and above all other considerations, including the development of performance.
Unwritten rules of etiquette	If you hit someone when blocking, (with your hands or arms). Then traditionally you allow them a free pass after this. If
Players and support	There are 12 players on each team, 2 goalkeepers and 10 field players. There is one goalkeeper and a maximum of 6 field players on court at a time. Substitution can occur at any time so long as the player is brought off before the player is then subbed on. positions include; Right wing, Left wing, Pivot, Left back, Center back, Right back.
Challenges and fouls	If someone commits an indecent foul then the opposition (who committed the foul) will usually allow a ‘first pass free’ rule when play is restarted.
Playing surface and dimensions	The court is 40m x 20m (two basketball courts) and features 2m x 3m goals at each end. Each Goal is surrounded by a 6m goal area (2 6m radius arcs with (center = goal post) joined by a tangent in the middle. Another arc, 9m from the posts, lies outside the goal line. This is the free throw line and it is usually dashed. A 1m long penalty throw line lies 7m in front of the goals and a small dash 4m in front of the goals. There is also a halfway line with a centre dot for the restart.
Equipment	A handball (regulation size) A court (regulation size) Bibs (not always required)

Handball - videos

Handball - performance profile

Performance Profile 

Here is a performance profile table filled in by one of my fellow colleges: 

Handball - self analysis

Handball - tactics

Handball - skills continuum