St Peter the Apostle High School
NATIONAL 4
PE Studies
Factors Impacting Performance
Course Notes
Tactics
The Fast Break
Handball
Name:
__________________
Teacher:
__________________
Tactics & Formations
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Cycle of Analysis
1
GATHERING
INFORMATION
2
4
MONITOR /
EVALUATE
ANALYSE
3
DEVELOP
1. We GATHER INFORMATION our performance by assessing our
level of fitness and the demands of the performance.
2. We then ANALYSE the results to identify strengths and
weaknesses.
3. We then create a programme of work / training programme to
DEVELOP our performance.
4. Finally we MONITOR/EVALUATE, which means we find out if we
have successfully improved our performance.
Tactics & Formations
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Tactics
Tactics & Formations
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Tactics
A ‘Tactic’ is a plan of action that you helps you to overcome an
opponent’s weakness or allows you to play to your strengths. It is
sometimes referred to as a strategy.
Tactics can be applied to set pieces like side balls or to certain
situation in a game – like a ‘fast break’ counter attack. In order for
the tactic to be successful players within the team must fulfil their
role.
From an activity of your choice give an example of an attacking tactic you have
used.
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Description of Fast Break

Aim - to try to score a goal as fast as possible, once we gained
possession of the ball. If we get the ball up the court quickly, we
can catch the opposition off guard and score an easy/unopposed
goal with a high percentage shot.

Starts with the aggressive defence of our team e.g. collect a
rebound, steal or save from the goalkeeper.

Make a quick outlet pass to an outfield player (O.P) in wide position
away from the crowded shooting circle.

Player dribbles quickly to centre of the court towards opposition
Goal.

2 other players sprint down the outside lanes to get ahead of the
ball

Attacker with possession decides who is in best position and makes
quick one handed pass

Reciever performs a jump-shot 1 v 1 with opposition goalkeeper
and scores (hopefully)

Communication is essential when performing the fast break to
ensure your team work as a unit.
Diagram of the Fast Break
(Key: Player Movement
Pass Movement
O.P. 2
)
O.P. 2
O.P. 2
O.P. 2
GK
GK
O.P. 1
O.P. 1
O.P. 1
O.P. 3
O.P. 1
O.P. 3
Tactics & Formations
O.P. 3
5
Principles of Play
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Principles of Play
A Principle of Play is a way of applying a formation in an effective
way in order to gain an advantage over your opposition in a team
game.
Principles of Play can be used in both Attack and Defence.
Principle of Play
Width in Attack – using the wings to create
space
Attacking
Principles
Depth in Attack – lots of options to pass to
Mobility – players moving into space
Depth in Defence – more than one line of
Defensive
Principles
defence
Delay in Defence – slowing attacks to get
team organised
Attacking Principles are designed to create space in a defence
which leads to more scoring opportunities.
Defensive Principles are designed to limit space for the opposition
and prevent the opposition from scoring.
Tactics & Formations
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Can you think of how you can apply each of these principles in a
game situation?
Attacking Principles
Width in Attack
____________________________________
Depth in Attack ____________________________________
Mobility
____________________________________
Defensive Principles
Depth in Defense ____________________________________
Delay in Defence ____________________________________
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GATHERING
INFORMATION
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Gathering Information
Before we design a training programme it is essential that we gather
information on our current performance levels. We will use some, or
all, of the methods listed below:
 Video Analysis
 Observation Sheets
 Scatter Graphs
Why do we gather information on our performance?
 Allows us to find our team strengths and weaknesses
o I can then focus our training on our weakness
 It gives us information on our performance levels;
 Allows us to identify our current level of performance so we can
plan a training programme
 They allow us to make comparisons between our team and other
teams
 Gives us a permanent record which can be used for comparisons
both during and after our training programme
Tactics & Formations
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Video Analysis
A video recording of a performance is very useful tool
for gathering and compiling information because it
allows you to view a performance over and over
again.
You can also pause and rewind the performance
which makes sure the information you gather is
accurate.
You could use a video recording of your performance
to help you complete an observation schedule.
It is important that the performance that you record is
a true reflection of your team’s ability. This means
your opponents must be of a similar ability and the
recording is long enough – 20 mins minimum.
Observation Sheets
Observation sheets can be completed in a variety of
ways. They can be completed by:
 A friend/classmate (peer)
 A coach/teacher
 Yourself (using a video recording)
Observation Sheets are a list of things you would see
from an elite performance and allow you to compare
your ability to theirs. An example of an Observation
Sheet is on the next page
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Observation Sheet
Handball
Name Mr Allan
Tactic Selected
Date
01/01/2015
Fast Break
Why was this Tactic chosen? It allows us to counter attack
against a well organised team
What was your role within this Tactic? Winger
Team Analysis
Successful
Unsuccessful
Clean rebound – possession secured
√√√√√√√√√√
√√√√
√√√√
Effective Communication from O.P. 1– “Ball!!”
√√√√√√√√√√
Outlet pass wide – fast, incisive, quick decision
making
√√√√√√√√√√
Fast dribble down middle – penetrating run down
centre lane
√√√√√√√√√√
Two other players fill lanes – create width in
attack
√√√√√√√√
√√
Pass in to scoring player – executed well, decision
made early
√√√√
√√√√
√√
Succesful Jump Shot on target
Place a ‘Tick’ in the appropriate column
Main area for development ______________________________
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Observation Sheet
Handball
Name __________________
Tactic Selected
Date ______________
Fast Break
What was your role within this Tactic?
Team Analysis
Successful
Unsuccessful
Clean rebound – possession secured
Effective Communication from O.P. 1– “Ball!!”
Outlet pass wide – fast, incisive, quick decision
making
Fast dribble down middle – penetrating run down
centre lane
Two other players fill lanes – create width in
attack
Pass in to scoring player – executed well, decision
made early
Succesful Jump Shot on target
Place a ‘Tick’ in the appropriate column
Main area for development ______________________________
Tactics & Formations
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DEVELOPING
YOUR WEAKNESS
(TRAINING PROGRAMME)
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Development Programme
In order to develop a tactic you must practice it
as part of you normal training schedule.
The Method of Practice that we use is called
Gradual Build Up. This allows us to break the
tactic down and learn it at an appropriate pace
that develops our skill level and confidence. It is
particularly useful in developing tactics in team
games, complex skills with many movements
(fast breaks), or dangerous skills (somersaults)
We identified the Final Pass as being a
weakness in our tactic so the following series of
practices is designed to make our passing skills
and decision making skills better.
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Fast Break Gradual Build Up
Stage 1
Walking pace – perform sequences involved in
fast break at walking pace with no defenders
(unopposed). Develops understanding of
movements and responsibilities of players.
Stage 2
Jogging Pace – perform sequences involved in
fast break at jogging pace with no defenders
(unopposed). More game-like
Stage 3
Jogging Pace - perform sequences involved in
fast break at jogging pace with passive
defenders (no interceptions allowed). More
game-like as defenders increase pressure
Stage 4
Game Pace – perform sequences involved in
fast break at game pace with no defenders
(unopposed). More game-like, more physically
demanding
Stage 5
Game Pace - perform sequences involved in
fast break at game pace with passive defenders
(no interceptions allowed). More game-like as
defenders increase pressure
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Fast Break Gradual Build Up cont…
Stage 6
Game Pace - perform sequences involved in
fast break at game pace with active defenders
(interceptions allowed). More game-like as
defenders increase pressure and focus decision
making
Stage 7
Perform within a Game in open play –
pressure is applied by opposition, each player
must fulfil their roles effectively and make the
correct decisions
 This would be incorporated into you training
sessions which may also include fitness
development, skill development and general
games play.
 It is important to perfect each stage before
moving on as it will ensure that you and your
team-mates are ready to apply more
pressure and your confidence will grow.
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Gradual Build Up cont…
Choose a Skill
_________________________________
Describe how you would develop this skill using
the Gradual Build up Method
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Monitoring and
Evaluating your
Development
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Evaluating Training
On completion of your six-week training programme all the
methods you used to gather information should be repeated
to see how effective your training programme was
The effect of your programme on your whole
performance?
When evaluating the effectiveness of your training
programme, you should obviously consider if you improved
your Fast Break. However, you must also consider what
effect your training programme has had on your whole
performance in Handball.
Questions
Answer in Jotters
1. Describe, in detail, a tactic you have used in Handball
and explain your role within it.
2. How did you gather information on how you performed
the tactic? Explain why it is important to gather
information.
3. What would you consider to be the demands of a fast
break. (Consider Physical, Technical and Mental
demands)
4. What are Principles of Play and where are they
evident in the Fast Break? Explain and give examples.
5. What Method of Practice did you use to improve your
performance? Give detailed examples of your
development programme.
6. How did you monitor the benefits of your training?
7. What impact did any improvements make to your
whole performance?
8. Are there any other areas you think could be
improved. Give examples from the games.
Tactics & Formations
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