Handball: defending the pivot

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

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If you are playing a team that mainly has tall players?

If you are playing a team that mainly has tall players and they are goodshooting from out of the box area that is they shoot from the nine meterarea, what is the best way of defending them given that your team hasrelatively shorter players. Volcanoes Uganda- submmitted via email

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