New
New
Year 10
OCR

Handball: footwork and dribbling

I can move with the ball to create space and keep possession whilst playing within the rules of handball.

New
New
Year 10
OCR

Handball: footwork and dribbling

I can move with the ball to create space and keep possession whilst playing within the rules of handball.

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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: accelerating after a fake step in the opposite direction helps to get past a defender.
  2. Move: dribbling with bent knees and a low body position maintains balance and allows for agile changes in direction.
  3. Think: passing or shooting the ball before the fourth step/dribble will not break the travelling rule.
  4. Feel: it takes time to reset muscle memory when learning that you can take 3 steps while carrying the ball.
  5. Connect: using good communication and eye contact with teammates enables greater success at keeping possession.

Keywords

  • Feint - faking the direction of movement by stepping or changing direction

  • Dribbling feint - a player suddenly changes the direction of their dribble

  • Double dribble - bouncing a ball, holding it and bouncing the ball again

  • Travelling - if a player does not pass or shoot the ball before taking the fourth step

Common misconception

Dribbling is always the best option to move with the ball.

While dribbling can be helpful to gain ground up the court, it can slow down the game, whereas passing can often be faster and more efficient at breaking through a defence.


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

Using taller obstacles like rounders posts may provide a step between a cone and a defender to allow pupils to gain confidence in feint and dribble feint.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Handballs (1 between 3), 30 + cones, 10 x sets of 3 bibs

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.
What is the maximum amount of steps you can take with the ball in handball?
0
1
Correct answer: 3
Q2.
Which type of pass starts with the ball high above the body?
bounce
Correct answer: overhead
flick
Q3.
What is it called when a player takes too many steps while carrying the ball?
Correct answer: travelling
footwork
pivoting
Q4.
How is it best to dribble the ball in handball?
with two feet
Correct answer: with two hands
with one hand

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
What could you do after taking 3 steps?
Correct Answer: pass or shoot, pass, shoot, pass/shoot
Q2.
When might be a good time to pass the ball to a teammate?
when you're in a space
Correct answer: when they're in a space
when there's no space
Q3.
If a player bounces the ball, catches it and then bounces it again, what is it called?
Correct Answer: double dribble, double-dribble
Q4.
Which is the fastest way to get the ball up the court?
Correct answer: passing
running
dribbling