Handball: close defence for attacker

A fun session to use with your whole team. Work on drawing in defenders while teaching your defence to co-operate with each other!

Be more proactive in defence - Don't wait for their attackers to come to you - get your players to push up the court to pressure your opposition before they shoot!

Players line up in pairs facing each other with about 5 metres between them.

The attacking player dribbles towards the defending player. As they approach the defender they should make the move to throw the ball.

It is the defender's job to push the ball away as the attacker goes to throw, using the hand that is closest to the ball.

As players run forward to defend they should think about their stance and approach:

They should take small, fast steps (never jump) to avoid over-committing. Approach diagonally, facing towards the ball, and angling their body to direct their opponent away from the goal area.

Keep their arms open, wide and high. Stand on the balls of their feet with knees slightly bent.

defend the ball when dribbling

- put your hand in between the ball and the opponent's hand when you hear the ball bounce the floor
- attack your opponent from the side he is dribbling the ball

When B4 passes to B3, R1 runs forward to B1 to defend.
When B4 passes to B5, R2 runs forward to B2 to defend.

variation :
- complete man-to-man defence on wing player
- run forward, position diagonally, face to the ball, in between attacker and goal : R1 has got right hand in front of B1 and R2 has got left hand in front of B2
- let wing player catch the ball whereafter a duel far from the goal