Handball: tactical play
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use tactical play to outwit opponents and maintain possession of the ball.
Key learning points
- Move: passing the ball quickly from one side of the court to another makes it hard for defenders to reposition quickly.
- Move: incorporating moves like crossing into an attacking play can confuse defenders, opening up opportunities to score.
- Think: responding to how the opposition has positioned themselves utilises decision making and tactical awareness.
- Feel: taking a pause to use the width of the court in attack requires focus and thinking to outwit the defenders.
- Connect: communicating effectively with teammates before a tactical move is played avoids confusion.
Keywords
Width (using the) - spreading play across the full horizontal space to stretch the defence and create opportunities to score
Channel - a lane up the court
Crossing - players interchanging position to confuse defenders and open up shooting options
Common misconception
When attacking, it is always best to just dribble or step and pass the ball straight up the court.
Sometimes to create more space, a flat pass across the width of the pitch or a crossover move can be used to spread, reposition or confuse defenders which can be more successful at enabling a teammate to get through the gap that is created and score.
Teacher tip
In the channelled game at the end, you may wish to incorporate positions into channels such as the wingers and centre back.
Equipment
Handball (1 between 3), 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
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Which part of your body is best for screening a player?
Q2.How wide is a full sized handball court?
Q3.Which players tend to use the width of the court the most?
Q4.How can you create more space for a teammate to run into?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What is a cross move?
Q2.Why is it beneficial to use the whole width of the handball court?
Q3.When playing a match what won’t you need to constantly respond to?
Q4.If a defender has left a gap what should you do?
To help you plan your 10 physical education lesson on: Handball: tactical play, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 physical education lesson on: Handball: tactical play, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom.
Explore more key stage 4 physical education lessons from the Non-examined assessment: handball practical unit, dive into the full secondary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.