HOME Handball Answers Handball COACHING Q&A

What are the types of passes in handball?

Quick answer

The main passes in handball are the shoulder (overarm) pass, the bounce pass, the jump pass, the wrist pass, the behind-the-back pass and the chest pass. The shoulder pass does most of the work; the others beat a defender or a block. You can hold the ball for 3 seconds and take 3 steps with it before passing.

Source: IHF Rules of the Game summary for the 3-second and 3-step limits.

How to coach handball passing

Start with the shoulder pass. Ball held high behind the head, step with the opposite foot and throw through with the elbow high. It's the pass players will use most.
Add the bounce pass. Bounce the ball about two-thirds of the way to the receiver to get it under a defender's arms.
Teach the jump pass. Backcourt players pass at the top of a jump to get the ball over the block, the same movement as a jump shot.
Use wrist and behind-the-back passes close up. Quick flicks from the wrist or round the back beat a defender standing in the passing lane.
Play with the limits. Run passing games with the 3-step and 3-second limits so players learn to pass on the move, not standing still.

Common questions

What are the 3 passes in handball?

Beginners usually learn three: the shoulder (overarm) pass, the bounce pass and the chest pass. Together they cover long, short and close-range passing before players move on to the jump, wrist and behind-the-back passes.

What is passing in handball?

Moving the ball to a teammate by throwing, bouncing or flicking it. You can only take three steps and hold the ball for three seconds, so good handball attacks are built on quick passing rather than dribbling.

How do you pass in handball?

Hold the ball in one hand, take it back above your shoulder, step forward with the opposite foot and throw through, pointing your hand at the target. Catch with two hands, then pass within three seconds.

Which pass in handball is used for long distance?

The shoulder pass. With a full arm swing and a step into the throw it travels furthest and fastest, which is why goalkeepers use it to start fast breaks.

How many players are in a handball team?

Seven on court per side: six court players and a goalkeeper. Mini handball for younger players uses four plus a goalkeeper on a smaller court.

Handball drills for this

PLAN A SESSION SEE THE DRILLS

Running a handball club? Teamo, from the makers of Sportplan, keeps availability, subs and team news in one club app. Find out more about Teamo.

Below: the original question and answers from coaches in the Sportplan community.

What are the types of passes?

What are the types of passes? How are they done? What makes them special?

Peter Player, Nigeria

1 answer

ANSWERS

Tom BeanCoach, England

Hi Peter,

There are multiple ways of passing in handball. The most powerful and often the most accurate, the overarm pass is used the most in game play.

OVERARM PASS

Throw the ball overarm, following straight through to the target.
Make sure player is in the correct body position to make the pass to increase accuracy and power.

The underarm pass is often used in tight areas to help get out of the congested areas. It`s regularly used when you do not have the time and space to make a powerful overarm pass.

UNDERARM PASS

Make the pass with an underarm technique following through to the target.
Often the technique is improvised as tight areas don`t allow for time to have perfect technique.

The bounce pass is a great way to get around players that are in the line of the pass. Can be a dangerous way to attack as often more difficult to defend yet must be very accurate and sometimes the space to make the bounce isn`t there.

The drill attached shows how the variety of ways to pass in handball and how the situation often dictates the type of pass.

I hope this helps.

10 ball (1)

DESCRIPTION

Two teams. Aim of the game is to get to 10 successful consecutive passes in a row. The other team tries to get the ball and start their own 10 passes. Every time a ball is touched or conquered by a defender the team start counting from 0 again.

10 ball (1)

DESCRIPTION

JOIN SPORTPLAN FOR FREE

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

Handball

LATEST COACHING TRENDS

Shoulder Care for Handball Throwers: A Coach's Guide

As indoor leagues get back into full swing this November, throwing volume climbs fast. A few minutes of shoulder care in every warm-up is the difference between a healthy season and a lost one.

November 2026

Sportplan Coaching

Halloween Handball: A Spooky Session Plan for Juniors

A ready-to-run Halloween handball session for juniors: spooky warm-ups, verified drills and a small-sided game finale.

October 2026

Sportplan Coaching

Wing Player Finishing: Scoring from Tight Angles

Wing players operate in the most demanding shooting position on a handball court, where acute angles and a close goalkeeper make finishing a specialist skill. This article breaks down the technique, decision-making, and training progressions that coaches need to develop elite wing finishing.

April 2026

Sportplan Coaching

VIEW ALL COACHING TRENDS