Handball: 1v1 Defending the Pivot

Put pressure on the opposition's pivot player with this interception skills session - teach your defence to run out, cut out the pass and get back in position!

Blue players 1, 2 and 3 stand in a line with a supply of ball to try and feed to blue player 4.

The defending player (Red 1) must stay in front of the receiving player and mirror their movement across the court, preventing as many balls as possible from reaching blue player 4.

The receiving player must change pace and direction in order to lose their marker but they are not allowed to step in front of the defender.

The blue players are trying to pass the ball through to the pivot (white 1).

At the same time though the red players are working hard to block this pass.

The aim for the red players is to run forward and touch their back court player before running back quickly to defend any passes to the pivot.

After they have been touched blue players pass the ball to a player in the opposite line and they then run to the back of the other line.

Drill continues in this way.

The feeder in the center of the court plays the ball left and then right into the paths of the running attackers.

The first wide defender goes to meet the ball straight away with the second, central, defender coming to cover and support the other defender after the attacker has crossed the 9m line.

The drill ends when the ball is taken by the defender or after the attacker's shot on goal.

Players run forward and jump on leg and make half a turn and run on backwards.
Always face up to watch for 'opponents'.