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Handball
infoWhy this? Handball develops passing, catching, dribbling, varied shooting, and legal defending in a fast, continuous invasion game. Its three-step and three-second constraints promote rapid decisions, purposeful movement, coordinated transitions, and effective teamwork under pressure.
scheduleWhy now? Pupils can draw on the shared attacking and defensive principles from invasion games and the passing, landing, and spacing developed in netball. Handball increases complexity by adding controlled movement with the ball, varied shooting, and faster transitions between attack and defence.
neurologyYou need to know
- In handball, a player cannot dribble the ball, stop, and then dribble again; after catching the ball or stopping a dribble, they may take up to three steps before passing or shooting.
- In handball, a player holding the ball must pass, shoot, or start dribbling within three seconds.
- The goal area (the 6-metre zone) is restricted; an outfield jump shooter must take off outside the goal area and release the ball before landing, although landing inside after release is normally legal if it creates no disadvantage.
- Handball is a limited-contact invasion game in which controlled torso contact and blocking with bent arms are permitted, but holding, pushing, tripping, and striking an opponent are fouls.
- A goal is scored when the ball is thrown into the opponent’s goal and fully crosses the goal line between the posts and under the crossbar.
- A secure pass grip uses the fingers spread on the ball rather than the palm, which improves control and accuracy.
- For accurate passing, the passer’s elbows are slightly bent and the ball is kept close to the body before release.
- A balanced passing stance is feet about shoulder-width apart with knees slightly bent to allow quick weight transfer.
- Turning the non-passing shoulder towards the target helps align the body and improves passing accuracy.
- A successful pass uses a quick wrist snap and a follow-through pointing towards the target to guide direction and speed.
- A chest pass is a fast, direct pass delivered from chest height to a teammate’s chest/target area.
- A bounce pass is a pass that hits the floor once before reaching the receiver, often used to bypass a defender’s arms.
- An overhead pass is thrown from above the head to cover longer distances or to pass over defenders.
- A jump shot aims to release the ball at the highest point of the jump to maximise power and shooting angle while maintaining safe landing.
- A standing shot relies on balanced foot placement and coordinated arm and wrist action, with a clear follow-through for accuracy.
- A side shot is taken with the body turned sideways to create a wider shooting angle, using torso rotation to add power.
- A spin shot uses wrist rotation at release to create spin, which can help the ball curve or dip around/away from a defender or goalkeeper.
- An underarm shot is released from below waist height with a low trajectory, which can surprise a goalkeeper if placed accurately.
rocket_launchYou must be able to
- Apply the three-second and three-step rules in game play by making quick decisions to pass, shoot, or start dribbling without committing violations.
- Dribble in handball with controlled, repeated ball bounces using one hand, keeping the ball close while scanning for space and passing options.
- Execute a chest pass accurately by stepping towards the target, extending the arm, snapping the wrist, and following through to the receiver’s chest/space.
- Execute a bounce pass accurately by aiming the bounce point about two-thirds of the way to the receiver so the ball rises into their hands under defensive pressure.
- Execute an overhead pass with power and accuracy by keeping the ball above the head, stepping through, and releasing with a strong wrist snap to clear defenders.
- Perform a jump shot by taking off outside the goal area, releasing the ball at the highest point and before landing, aiming for the corners, and landing under control, including inside the goal area if this creates no disadvantage.
- Perform a range of shots (standing, side, spin, underarm) by selecting the correct technique for the angle/pressure and showing controlled release and follow-through.
- Defend legally by adopting a low, side-on stance, tracking an attacker, using controlled torso contact and bent arms to block, avoiding holding, pushing, tripping, and striking, and attempting interceptions while staying balanced and coordinated with teammates.