Handball Drills
Drills for Throwing and Catching
Stationary
1.
2.
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6.
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8.
Two students are standing 3 - 5 meters apart. Stress speed and accuracy on to partners chest
Throw low balls
Throw via ground (bounce pass)
Roll ball
As for I - 4 but increase distance. Up to ten meters
Each student has got one ball; one passes low, the other high simultaneously.
As for 6, but with various combinations.
Which pair can throw the biggest number of passes in a given time over a given distance? Or
who is the first to pass the ball a certain number of times.
9. With one or two balls, one player catches passes from two or more partners alternatively.
10. Throw against wall and catch. One ball per player
11. As above, but one ball between two players
12. Cross ball
With Changes of position
The throwing and catching is still done in a stationary position, but each player jogs to another
position after his throw.
1. Two groups of students of 2 - 3 players in a single file face each other; after each throw the player
moves to the back of his queue. All variations as in the previous section are possible.
2. Individual player faces a single line of players who move to the back of their file after each throw.
3. All the following drills in a square (se diagram below) can be done with either one or two balls to
increase the degree of difficulty. Adjust size of square to skill and strength level of students.
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Pass to the right, go to the back of the group
Pass to the left, as above
Pass to the right, run to the left/right
Pass to the left, run as above
Pass to the right/left, run diagonally
Pass diagonally, run to left/right
E.g. pass to the right and go to the back of the group
With Movement:
1. In pairs jogging down the court, passing to each other without violating three step rule.
2. Vary distance between players
3. On their way back, the players pass the ball over the two inner lines.
SHOOTING
Since scoring goals is the main objective of the game, the skills of shooting are very important. In this
section two basic types of shots are being introduced; the over arm shot with some variations and the
jump shot.
Drills
The following drills can be performed with a target in the goals or with a goalkeeper.
All drills require the players to shoot from a run-up. This is to encourage the players to do the same in
the game situation.
Violation of the three steps rule as well as goal area infringements are to be avoided at all costs
during practice.
It is advisable to use both goals for practice to increase activity levels.
It is not advisable to force young players to act as goalkeepers; there are usually enough volunteers.
The organization of the drills has to ensure that only one player shoots at anyone time.
Shooting and feeding positions can be altered to cover all the various options that may occur in a
game.
I.e. anywhere around the goal area between left and right wing
The Jump Shot
The jump shot is one of the most frequently used methods of scoring goals in modem Handball. It can
be used from almost any position on the field and if mastered well, gives the player a huge number of
variations.
After receiving the ball while running, the player takes three steps and jumps. A right-handed player
will ideally take off his left foot. The three steps are a nice three-step rhythm, left, right, and left. While
in the air, the player performs an over arm throw as described earlier.
In a game situation a player may only take two or one step before jumping. However it is
recommended to practice the three-step rhythm first before considering variations.
To introduce the jump shot it is possible to use a whollistic approach or guide your students through a
lead up.
Example of a lead up:
1. Students are lined up in pairs, facing each other and being about ten meters apart.
2. Without a ball, all students take three steps, jump as high as possible and land on both feet.
Ensure that right-handers and the opposite apply the correct sequence of left, right, left-by-left
handers.
3. Still without a ball students repeat step two but include the throwing motion of the appropriate
arm.
4. Students throw the ball to each other as in the initial throwing and catching drills, but are using a
jump throw.
5. The jump throw can now be used in any of the previously explained goal shooting drills.
The main criteria for a successful jump shot are power and accuracy.
In order to consolidate the newly acquired skill, most of the throwing and catching drill can be
performed using a jump throw instead of an ordinary over arm throw.
For the players to gain more strength, they can be asked to practice jump shots by shooting over
obstacles. E.g. crush mat, high jump bar etc.
Small Games
Rollmops
Both teams line up behind a throwing line on either side of the playing field. Each team has the same
number of small balls to start the game. A big ball is placed in the centre of the court.
After the starting signal of the teacher, both teams are attempting to hit the big ball by throwing their
small balls from behind the throwing line. The object of the game is to force the big ball over the
throwing line of the opposing team. The only way the big ball can be moved is with throws of the little
balls from behind the throwing line.
Small balls that stop in front of the throwing line can be retrieved, but without touching or protecting
the big ball.
The big ball can be a soccer ball or volleyball, and the small balls are tennis balls, softballs or
handballs.
Adapt the size of the balls and of the playing field to the level of the participants.
Skittle ball
This game is an excellent lead up game, because it teaches the notion of having an area of the
playing field that contains the target for scoring, but cannot be entered. In a circle, square, semi circle,
we place a skittle or witches hat or any other suitable target.
Teams consist of four to five players. The attacking team is trying to get a player into a position from
where he can shoot and hit the skittle to score a point. The defending team is trying to prevent this
without entering the circle. Roles are changed after a certain number of scoring attempts.