New
New
Year 10
AQA

Handball: defending and marking

I can actively defend and mark to allow my team to gain possession of the ball and to stop the other team scoring.

New
New
Year 10
AQA

Handball: defending and marking

I can actively defend and mark to allow my team to gain possession of the ball and to stop the other team scoring.

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Move: raising your arms as an opponent releases the ball, increases chances of blocking the ball and gaining possession.
  2. Move: firm body position with a wide stance is crucial for effectively screening an opponent to control their movement.
  3. Think: using your torso to block a player will not impede the obstruction rule but holding or pulling is prohibited.
  4. Feel: using your body to control your opposition’s movement takes confidence and assertiveness.
  5. Connect: coordinating with teammates to ensure they recognise the screen helps to exploit the space successfully.

Keywords

  • Screen - where a player positions themselves to block an opposition using their body to control their positioning

  • Block - a defensive action where a player uses their hands or arms to intercept and stop an opponent's shot on goal

  • Marking - is a defensive strategy where a player closely guards an opponent to limit their attacking possibilities

Common misconception

Screening is a defensive move only used to stop the team with the ball scoring.

Screening can be used by attackers to 'screen' or block defenders to allow an attacking teammate more space to move or score.


To help you plan your year 10 physical education lesson on: Handball: defending and marking, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

The first activity can be used in moderation to give an idea of defensive instinct.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Handballs (1 between 2), 30+ cones, 8 x sets of 4 bibs, 8 goals (or chalk to draw goals)

Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - physical activity

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
Which is not allowed in handball?
dribbling
blocking
Correct answer: holding
Q2.
Which is a position in handball?
slider
Correct answer: pivot
goal shooter
Q3.
During a throw-in, how far away must a defender be?
1m
2m
Correct answer: 3m
Q4.
If a player wasn’t marked well, what might happen?
Correct Answer: They'd get free

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
Which is not legal in handball?
screening
Correct answer: pulling
blocking
Q2.
When defending, what should you do with your arms?
Correct Answer: raise them up, raise them
Q3.
What is it called when an attacking teammate uses their body to prevent a defender from getting into your space?
Correct Answer: screening, screen
Q4.
How should you block a defender from moving into space?
Stick out your legs.
Hold them back.
Correct answer: Use your torso.