Handballexercises for technique defense

  • 2 Teams
  • Players place themselves on call on both sides at the 5 defensive positions: LH-LO-MO-RO-RH
    • Then run to attack position
    • Then a minimum of 3 throws (e.g. MO-RO-RH-RO)
    • Then shot at pawn
    • Return to defense
  • Players out, players in
    • Back to offense
    • Again at least 3 throws
    • Shot on target, etc.
  • Who is the first to knock over 3 pawns wins
  • LO a line with ball
  • RO a row
  • In every deep corner 1 defender
  • As soon as the builders start to run, the two defenders move to the middle as quickly as possible
  • The team builders who are competing with the defenders are going to pressure well next to the man
  • The defenders pay attention to a good defence, stepping out on the player with the ball and immediately back to the 6 when the ball is to the other player
  • After rounding on the goal, the attackers become defenders. Do not go and get the ball!
  • Defenders go into the deep corner again and two new attackers start


  • Row of LO with the ball
  • Two in the middle (every now and then new players in the middle)
  • LO puts pressure and passes the ball to the MO who is starting
  • LO runs backwards again with a good arc and keeps an eye on the game
  • The MO puts pressure and passes the ball to the incoming LO who shoots at the goal
  • The LO has to time the ball well. Do not start too quickly or too late.
  • Everyone is allowed to round off a few times on the LO

Extension
  • Trainer stands on the 6 on the middle on 3
  • 1 defender at 2
  • We do the same as before, but now the LO goes 1 on 1 with the defender
  • At the moment that the MO puts pressure, the trainer says YES and the defender has to move aside quickly to tap the trainer.
  • Then the LO starts to duel with the defender.
  • When you have shot at the goal, you immediately stand up to defend, so do not go and get your ball!
  • The previous defender joins behind the line LO and gets a ball from the goalie
  • The two MO's have to be exchanged every time

4 players: 1 goalkeeper, 1 defender, 2 attackers

  • 1 attacker tries to get to the goal line
  • if the defender blocks well, pass back to player 2 (who stays behind a bit)
  • Let the players change positions after every attack.

  • Then a variation with 2 defenders
  • Focus on free lines

This game can be played as an end game but also during training and as a warm-up, which makes it appealing, especially since you can differentiate and change it well.

  • Two teams are made in a square of about 10 by 10.
  • One team starts with the ball, the goal of this team is to pass the ball to a teammate 10 times.
  • The goal of the other team is to intercept and pass the ball 10 times.

This game comes in different situations.
Examples are:
  • Larger/smaller field
  • Different way of passing (MUST via bounce, MUST through the air).
drawing Ten-ball
  • Duo face each other, 1 defender 1 attacker.
  • Behind the defender stands a pawn, which the attacker tries to grab.
  • The defender makes contact with the attacker's shoulders or back with his hands.
  • Attention, do not close in with arms.

  • An attack is played between 3 attackers and 2 defenders.
  • The attack is played on a slightly wider field than the posts (about 6 meters)
  • The goal of the attackers is to complete the attack, this can be done via an action or via the circle.
  • The goal of the defenders is to prevent the attackers from finishing.

  • The attackers play the ball quickly from left to right and try to provoke the defenders.
  • If a defender steps, they can lay the ball off to the circle,
  • If a defender doesn't step, they can play over or make their own move past the defender
  • When a defender steps out, the second defender must step into the circle, the defence moves with the attack.
  • If an attacker makes a move past the defender, the defender must try to get the attacker out of the 'zone' (the hats).
drawing Unlock Circle Player
  • 3 Players start shuffling between the 6 meter and the 9 meter line,
  • When the signal is given, they start walking.
  • The player in the middle receives the ball from the goalkeeper and plays it to his/her left or right
    • At the end, you can choose to make a change.
  • The attackers finish near the goalkeeper
  • The aim of the outer build-up is to run wide and create a lot of space for themselves and the rest of the team
  • When the rounding is completed, the players wait at the other end until everyone has been through and then they do the same.
  • After a while, two defenders come up and try to intercept early on

drawing Swift counterattack
  • 2 players stand on 1 side of the field.
  • They play the ball to the goalkeeper and run wide in the direction of the other goal,
    • Still on their own half of the field, they receive the ball from the goalkeeper.
  • The 2 attackers must follow the normal rules of the game in terms of running but may not bounce the ball.
  • Between the 6 and approx. 20 metre line, they meet a defender
    • They must try to play the ball in pairs without bouncing it.
  • After a while, a second defender comes along, between 20 and 40 metres, and the attackers have to get round this too

drawing Fast break surplus
  • 3 build-up rows
  • 1 defender on the 6 on the left side and
  • 1 defender waiting inside the circle with the trainer

  • Left build-up row has the ball.
  • The left row builds up pressure towards the goal and passes the ball to the middle constructor.
  • The middle build-up puts light pressure towards the goal and passes the ball to the starting right build-up.
  • The right hand build-up makes an 0 pass inside and passes the ball to the starting middle build-up.
  • The middle build-up now applies good pressure and at this moment, the coach says yes and the defender who is standing in the circle has to move backwards quickly, tap the coach's hand and move back quickly.
  • When you return to the circle, the left-hander goes one-on-one and rounds the goal.
    • When it is your turn you have to move 1 position and join the back of the circle.
  • Defenders take turns.
  • When they have been one on one a few times:
    • Then alternate two new defenders.




This is a 'normal' game of handball, however there are 2 twists to the game.
The rules are introduced in turns, after a few minutes the second rule is introduced.

Rule 1:
  • If 1 of the 2 teams scores in a fast-break or quick attack, they get the opportunity to execute their attack again after they have already made a point.
  • This gives them the chance to score 2 points as a reward for their quick attack.

Rule 2:
  • When a player has scored, that person must remain at the spot of the shot for 5 seconds,
  • This gives the opposing team at least 5 seconds of overtime and a chance to score in a quick attack from a goal against.
  • If a goal is scored, the opposing team does not have to stand still but can continue with their second attack.

drawing Fast-break endgame 6v6
4 players in the field, 4 in substitute position, defense with who is left

goalkeepers with vests

Question: what are the positions called?

- Pay attention to the role of the goalkeeper - specialist who plays on the offside - who plays on the linesmen.

After attack: loose change or block change - take the shortest route!