Handball: defense

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

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What warming-up games are the best for seniors?

What warming-up games are the best for seniors?- submitted via email

Sportplan Team Coach, United Kingdom

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

Sportplan Team Coach, United Kingdom

i find probleme with mu defense

i find probleme with mu defense

Archived User Coach

where i can find formation 3-3 on defense?

where i can find formation 3-3 on defense?

moshe27 Coach, Israel

please I need some information about defense 5+1...

please I need some information about defense 5+1...

Archived User Coach

action in 3-2-1 defense

can you show me, in your opinion, the best actions to attack the 3-2-1 defense???

Zoran Abramovic Coach, Yugoslavia (Former)

when do i use 6%3A0,5%3A1,3%3A2%3A1,man to man defence systems

when do i use 6%3A0,5%3A1,3%3A2%3A1,man to man defence systems

Archived User Coach

What are Picks, lateral movement without the ball, and pivoting?

What are Picks, lateral movement without the ball, and pivoting. Also, what are good drills to teach them?

Archived User Coach

What should be the skills and the tasks of player 1?

What should be the skills and the tasks of player 1 in the 5-1 defense? If he fails in one case, what should he do?

Archived User Coach

Help, can someone suggest a 30 day training plan?

Please help me, I'm preparing a training plan for under 16 (it will only be for 30 days) but I need some ideas and advice.

deepak Coach, India

Is it good to have a back defence in handball?

Defense Is it good to have a back defense in handball? Asked using Sportplan on Mobile

Nicholas Ngatia Coach, Kenya

Types of 5:1 defense

hi..i need videos from 5:1 defense but from diffrent types...I need from YU,HUN,URS and FRA types of defense...or if you can help me with adevace for this types of defense...tnx ;)

kristijan Coach, Macedonia

Piston

when is the piston best played?

Mugerwa Yafesi Coach, Uganda

Atack against 3x3 defense

Hi all,Anyone has any drills to help me to set trainings for the attack against a 3x3 defense?

Alan Gross Coach, United Kingdom

Playing

How to play the 6:0 Defense

Orotin Remie Jimmy Coach, Uganda

Defense 6:0

How to play the 6:0 Defense

Orotin Remie Jimmy Coach, Uganda

Atack against 3x3 defense | Sp...

Hi all,Anyone has any drills to help me to set trainings for the attack against a 3x3 defense?

Alan Gross Coach, United Kingdom

Defense 6:0 | Sportplan

How to play the 6:0 Defense

Orotin Remie Jimmy Coach, Uganda

what defensive strategies are ...

What types of defensive units are there in handball?

alice Coach, England

i find probleme with mu defens...

i find probleme with mu defense

Archived User Coach

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