Handball: defending and marking
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can actively defend and mark to allow my team to gain possession of the ball and to stop the other team scoring.
Key learning points
- Move: raising your arms as an opponent releases the ball, increases chances of blocking the ball and gaining possession.
- Move: firm body position with a wide stance is crucial for effectively screening an opponent to control their movement.
- Think: using your torso to block a player will not impede the obstruction rule but holding or pulling is prohibited.
- Feel: using your body to control your opposition’s movement takes confidence and assertiveness.
- 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.
Teacher tip
The first activity can be used in moderation to give an idea of defensive instinct.
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
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Which is not allowed in handball?
Q2.Which is a position in handball?
Q3.During a throw-in, how far away must a defender be?
Q4.If a player wasn’t marked well, what might happen?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Which is not legal in handball?
Q2.When defending, what should you do with your arms?
Q3.What is it called when an attacking teammate uses their body to prevent a defender from getting into your space?
Q4.How should you block a defender from moving into space?
To help you plan your 10 physical education lesson on: Handball: defending and marking, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 physical education lesson on: Handball: defending and marking, 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.