Defence: stance and marking
Ready when: Mini handball (b4) done.
What you are learning
Defending: a firm, wide stance; arms up as the ball is thrown to block it; one hand reaching for the ball while the other covers a bounce pass; and two or three defenders sliding together to close the gaps (shifting).
Words on this card Goal area, Bounce pass, Fake, Free throw, Stance, Marking, Shifting, Interception
- Goal area
- The D-shaped zone in front of each goal, 6 m out; only the keeper may be in it.
- Bounce pass
- A pass that bounces once on the way, or one thrown from above the head.
- Fake
- Pretending to go or throw one way, then going the other.
- Free throw
- An unopposed throw after a foul.
- Stance
- The defender's ready position: feet wide, knees bent, arms up.
- Marking
- Staying close to an attacker.
- Shifting
- Defenders moving sideways together to close gaps.
- Interception
- Catching a pass meant for an attacker.
Show it first for the one teaching
- Stand with the feet wide, knees bent, arms up in front.
- As the attacker lifts the ball to throw, raise the arms to block.
- With a team-mate, slide sideways together when the ball moves, closing the gap between you.
Your part while they practise
Be the attacker, passing slowly.
Step by step
- A firm, wide stance.
- Raise the arms as the ball is released to block.
- Reach in towards the ball with one hand while the other covers a bounce pass.
- Two or three defenders move together to close the gaps.
- Intercept a slow pass.
How much: 10 attacks each 12 min a session 2 days a week
Say one thing Pick one line from "What you will see" for today and say only that.
The game: Intercept
A small game where the defence scores a point for each interception.
Who plays: 2 or 3 attackers against 2 or 3 defenders.
How to play, turn by turn
- Turns
- The attackers pass round the outside of the goal area and try to shoot
- The defenders shift together and try to intercept or block
- After 5 attacks, swap
- Fair play
- With a grown-up attacker, they may only bounce-pass.
- Points
- The attackers score 1 goal for each goal; the defenders score 1 point for each interception or blocked shot.
- Fouls
- A free throw to the attackers
- A defender grabbing or pushing
- A defender stepping into the goal area
- Reaching in from behind
- Winning
- The team with more points after both sides have defended.
- 1 points for 1 star
- 3 points for 2 stars
- 5 points for 3 stars
Easier or harder
A slow attacker.
Full speed with a fake.
What you will see, and what to say
- the defender stands upright
Knees bent, arms ready
Low and wide. - the defender grabs
Hands to the ball, not the body
Play the ball only.
Self-check
The defender wins the ball or forces a bad pass in 4 of 10 one-on-ones.
Stop and get a coach when
Pain in the knee or ankle.
Fitness for this
Warm up first: how to warm up, at workonfitness.com. For strength and stretching, its exercise library shows each exercise step by step, with an easier version.
This card trains defence, footwork.
awiseathlete.com/sports/handball/handball-i2