Feinting and Deception: Creating Advantages Through Skill

Feinting transforms handball from a pure power game into an art form. The ability to convince defenders you're going one way while actually going another creates space, draws fouls, and generates high-quality shooting opportunities. Elite players use deception in every phase of attack.

Basic Feint Types

Foundation movements for deception:

Direction feint: Step one way, explode the other direction.

Shot fake: Begin shooting motion, then pass or drive.

Pass fake: Look to pass, then attack or shoot.

Body feint: Drop shoulder or shift weight to unbalance defender.

Breakthrough Moves

One-on-one techniques:

Double feint: Two consecutive direction changes.

Stop and go: Sudden deceleration then explosive acceleration.

Spin move: Pivot through contact to create shooting angle.

Step-back: Create separation for a jump shot.

Selling the Fake

Eyes: Look where you want defenders to think you're going.

Body commitment: Partial movements must look real.

Speed variation: Slow to fast transitions catch defenders off-guard.

Timing: Execute when defender is least balanced or most committed.

Combining Skills

Feint to pass: Draw defenders then find open teammates.

Feint to shoot: Create space for a clean look at goal.

Feint to draw foul: Defenders reaching often commit fouls.

Team combinations: Coordinate feints with screens and cuts.

Key Coaching Points

  • Effective feints require conviction - sell the fake
  • Practice feints at match speed, not slowly
  • Combine feints with explosive finishing moves
  • Read defender's balance and timing before executing
  • Develop multiple feint options to remain unpredictable

Drills for Feinting Development

VIEW ALL FEINTING DRILLS

JOIN SPORTPLAN FOR FREE

  • search our library of 1200+ handball drills
  • create your own professional coaching plans
  • or access our tried and tested plans

Sportplan App

Give it a try - it's better in the app

Handball POPULAR SEARCH TERMS
YOUR SESSION IS STARTING SOON... Join the growing community of handball coaches plus 1200+ drills and pro tools to make coaching easy.
LET'S DO IT