Basketball players aim to score baskets close to the opponent’s basket and prevent opponents from doing the same. To achieve this, they use their size and physical strength.
Handball positions
A handball team usually consists of a goalkeeper and six players on the court, who occupy five different positions. We thus find the left and right wings, the right and left backs, the pivot and the middle half or defender. Each position has a specific role to play during the match.
The number 3 in the handball team occupies the left back position. Its role is important because it serves as a starting point for attacks while remaining more than 15 meters from the opposing goal to wait for the ball.
On a handball court, the five positions that the players occupy are:
- Guardian
- Pivot
- The middle half or defender
- Left wing
- Right wing
Become a professional handball player
To learn handball, it is recommended to join a sports club or local structure. Young people between 11 and 14 years old can join the School Sports Section to follow training sessions several times a week for one to two years. To play handball, the age can vary from 3 years (for the youngest) up to 70 years. The pleasure of the game has no age limit as long as the body follows. Learning handball includes specific rules such as entering the middle of the field after the referee’s whistle, with precise distances to be respected between opposing players during a shot on goal.
Getting started in handball: the first steps
Handball is played by 2 teams of 7 players, for a total of 14 players on the field. The game is played with a ball on a rectangular field of 40m by 40m, divided into two parts. The objective is to score goals in the opposing camp. At the start of the match, the teams shoot at the halfway line to see who will choose their side of the field or take the first shot.
To throw the ball in handball, you must have your hand above your head and a high elbow, at head level. The throw involves a shoulder movement accompanied by a flexion of the wrist at the end of the movement, with the fingers pointing towards the target.
The playing field is a rectangle 40 meters long and 20 meters wide, with a playing surface and two goal areas. The long sides are called corners; small lines (between the columns) or lines (on both sides of the columns).
How to become a good pivot in handball?
The pivot plays a key role in handball, being a major player in the team. His main quality is his agility, allowing him to pick up the ball with both hands and on small perimeters. He must be skilled at shooting in difficult positions such as his back, horizontally or even on his knees. On the field, he organizes the offensive play around him and his team’s attack adapts to his movements and actions.
Tips for a good defense in handball
To hit the ball with your left foot, place your right foot to the right of the ball and make sure your shoulders are facing the target. When defending the pivot in handball, it is crucial to stay between the pivot and the ball to avoid being penalized. Watch the pivot’s movements carefully to control his progress on the field.
How does the point system work in handball?
To score a point in handball, each team must successfully enter the opponent’s goal. The rules of the game may vary depending on whether you play professionally or amateurly.
To become a good handball goalkeeper, you need to have a broad torso, long arms, and long legs to block as much space as possible and deflect balls. It is also important to be flexible while maintaining a good physical build.
A handball match begins with the whistle blowing from the court and ends either with an automatic sound signal from the wall timing system or with the end of time signal from the stopwatch. In the absence of these signals, it is up to the referee to blow the whistle to indicate the end of the match.
Performing a dribble in handball: the steps to follow
When a player touches the ball with any part of his body and directs it towards the ground, it is called a dribble or rebound. The ball can be dribbled or bounced again and can even be caught by another player.
A free kick in handball is awarded when the rules are broken, especially when the player enters the goal circle. It is taken from the place where the infraction was committed.
To get started in handball, it is essential to position the ball correctly in your hand and to control all your fingers. Each finger, each phalanx has a specific place in the ball so that it fits perfectly in the hand.
The meaning of the zone in handball
The end zone of the handball field is delimited by a solid semicircle with a radius of 6 meters, and only the goalkeeper is allowed to enter it. The 7-meter line is located between the goal circle and the free kick line.
In handball, there are different rules to follow: dribble with the ball, move forward by dribbling as many steps as desired while only making 4 touches without dribbling. It is not permitted to hold the ball for more than three seconds or remain motionless with it.
Handball fouls include breaking or hitting the ball into an opponent’s hands, holding the opponent, surrounding them, pushing them, or even throwing them at them. A foul is also committed when a skater enters a zone or puts their foot on the line. When these infractions occur and there is a defender on the field, a free kick is awarded 9 meters from the opponent’s goal.
Improve your striking strength in handball
To improve handball shooting strength, it is important to strengthen the legs by doing strength exercises such as lifting weights on one leg. To practice handball extension, you must stand against a wall with your back straight and your arms alongside your body, keeping your knees bent at 90 degrees and your buttocks at a right angle to the wall. This will allow you to work your thighs intensely. Next, to increase hand shooting power, it is essential to develop shoulder and wrist strength. It is crucial to find a symbiosis in order to improve both the strength and precision of the shot, because placing the ball correctly is also essential according to Alain Portes, coach of the French women’s handball team.
The handball playmaker
The middle half, sometimes called a central defender, plays in the middle of the field and acts as a team player.
Choosing your position in handball: practical advice
The fullback occupies a key position on the pitch between the touchline and the midfield. He must be quick, lively and strong to fulfill his role between center half and wing. To become a good fullback, you need to develop your physical strength, particularly in your shoulders and wrists.
To successfully play as a good winger, it is essential to be quick and agile while being able to shoot accurately. Beginners should focus on their speed and learn to shoot without relying too heavily on the pivot. This also involves positioning yourself well in relation to opposing defenders to have more opportunities to score.
Alain Portes, coach of the French women’s handball team, emphasizes the importance of a symbiosis between the physical strength necessary for a powerful shot and precision in ball placement. It highlights the development of the shoulders and wrists to improve the quality of the shot.
Technique for scoring in handball
Teams score points by throwing the ball into the opposing team’s goal. The winner is the one with the most points at the end of the match.