New
New
Year 10
OCR

Handball: tactical play

I can use tactical play to outwit opponents and maintain possession of the ball.

New
New
Year 10
OCR

Handball: tactical play

I can use tactical play to outwit opponents and maintain possession of the ball.

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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: passing the ball quickly from one side of the court to another makes it hard for defenders to reposition quickly.
  2. Move: incorporating moves like crossing into an attacking play can confuse defenders, opening up opportunities to score.
  3. Think: responding to how the opposition has positioned themselves utilises decision making and tactical awareness.
  4. Feel: taking a pause to use the width of the court in attack requires focus and thinking to outwit the defenders.
  5. 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/ 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.


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

In the channelled game at the end, you may wish to incorporate positions into channels such as the wingers and centre back.
Teacher tip

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

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 part of your body is best for screening a player?
arms
Correct answer: torso
legs
Q2.
How wide is a full sized handball court?
Correct answer: 20m
30m
40m
Q3.
Which players tend to use the width of the court the most?
Correct answer: wingers
centre back
goalkeeper
Q4.
How can you create more space for a teammate to run into?
Run straight.
Correct answer: Pass wide.
Hold still.

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
What is a cross move?
Correct answer: change of position
holding the ball
a long pass
Q2.
Why is it beneficial to use the whole width of the handball court?
Correct Answer: opens up space
Q3.
When playing a match what won’t you need to constantly respond to?
defenders
attackers
Correct answer: size of the court
Q4.
If a defender has left a gap what should you do?
Correct Answer: attack the space