Tone
Goršič, Celje 3/2006
Offensive
technique model for a contemporary style of handball
The technique
of catching, holding, carrying and throwing the ball, as well as moving
with it, makes considerable difference to the game. Following is a short
description of a playing style that differs significantly from the commonplace
one, bringing more creativity and efficiency both to the offense and to
fast breaks.
The offensive
technique was adapted to the requirements of the game. In order to create
opportunities to shoot, the offense players (O) have to represent a persistent
threat and constantly surprise the defenders (D). Whenever the offense
player receives the ball, he must make a drive towards goal and shoot;
if this is not possible, he has to pass to one of the five (!) teammates.
This will definitely be easier to attain by playing in the offensive stance
(offensive body position - OS), carrying the ball as high as the level
of the head, moving with running steps, and facing the goal. All offensive
handball elements - catching, passing, shooting, penetration, dribbling,
faking - should be performed by applying this technique.
Four
characteristics of performing offensive handball elements
1 -
The offense players should perform most elements in the "offensive
stance" (OS)
When in possession,
the ball should be raised slightly above the level of the head immediately
after catching; it should be carried in the same position, while the body
should be slightly flexed, with arms above the head. The angles in the
elbow and under the arm should be at least 90°, the elbow should be moved
away from the body, and the palm with the ball should be as open as possible,
turned upwards and outwards. This way, the hand carrying the ball is always
ready for an immediate shot, long pass, penetration, or dribbling. There
are several reasons for playing in the offensive stance, but their common
denominator is "less turnovers and more threatening game". Why
play in the OS?
1- The player is always ready to pass in any direction, to any teammate,
even if a long pass is required.
2- The player has the option throughout the three seconds to either shoot
or pass to any teammate; thus, the ball is constantly "in play".
3- It is easier to avoid fouls by the defenders, not allowing them to
interrupt a sequence of dangerous offense activities
4- Less passes are intercepted than when passing by shoving the ball,
as it is harder for the opponent to anticipate our intents.
5- We are immediately ready to shoot, especially if the ball is passed
directly to the OS; the hand only needs to be raised a bit further.
6- Throws, shots and passes are more precise if the ball is carried above
the head than with regular swings were the arm makes a circular motion
etc.
7- Shot realization, especially from the 6m line, is much better from
the OS; it is more difficult for the goalkeeper to predict our intent.
8- Playing in the OS keeps us from bouncing the ball, which makes our
game more threatening, with less exposure to fouls and interceptions.
9- When the ball is held in the OS, the swing is more dangerous and the
defense is easier to penetrate, as the defenders have to exert more pressure.
10- Playing in the OS enables and motivates creativity and wit, e.g. with
long passes etc.
11- In the OS, the same swing is used for shooting and passing. Therefore,
only one technique of throwing the ball is required.
12- The beginners find it much easier to play with the ball above their
heads; this also improves their throwing technique.
Good players
increasingly play in the OS, but most of them are still wasting time by
unnecessary circular motions and swings, which precludes them from taking
advantage of the numerous benefits of playing with the ball constantly
at the level of the head. Catching the ball immediately, directly "upwards",
not to the chest or even under the belt, is of key importance! This
enables us to take advantage of the benefits of the OS for the entire
three seconds. When training the players to play in the OS, catching the
ball "upwards" has to be paid most attention to. The OS also
enables an immediate pass, without having to raise the ball, if a teammate
is in a good position for a shot. Again, the ball is not shoved or passed
from under the wrist; it is thrown. The ball only needs to be caught with
a move of the wrist and by opening the palm, and it is ready for another
short pass.
2-
Handball should be played with running strides, in sprint
Three long
running strides (steps) make our game faster, enable powerful drives or
approach runs and make us more dangerous! This is constantly proven by
top-class players (Rutenka, Karabatič, Spellerberg etc.). Running strides
are faster than sliding steps, small jumps or switching steps which seem
to be particularly popular with girls; such movement results in passing
the ball around the defense zone without any drive towards the goal. If
the ball is received in motion, on the right foot and into the OS, and
the player makes three steps L-R-L, the ball doesn't have to be bounced
at all, since in case the other players are active as well, the player
in possession of the ball can shoot or pass after the first, second or
the third step. Shooting or passing after the first step, even if it is
a jump-shot or a jump-pass, is the most dangerous, as the defenders are
not ready to properly guard the offense player. Preferably, the three
strides should end on the take-off foot, as in this case the player can
shoot or pass while in the air, thus gaining a "fourth step".
Therefore, the player should learn to receive the ball while on the right
foot; this can be regulated by a short step or a switch step while the
ball is in the air and flying towards the receiving player.
A slow approach
run is not as dangerous as the sprint one. The more successful the player's
drive, dribbling, or shooting, the more dangerous the player! However,
the approach run should not be started too early; the run should start
when visual contact is made with the player in possession that the pass
is expected from. At the same time, the player to receive the ball should
estimate whether he or she will be able to drive to the line or shoot
before the defender, thereby determining the best place to receive the
ball, to shoot or to pass without stopping just inches away from the defender.
Three successive runs of the offense players are very rarely seen; the
third one usually receives the ball while standing in place, instead of
while in full sprint motion. The slower player can easily make up for
the lack of speed by playing in the OS with long running strides.
3-
The offense player in possession of the ball should face the goal as often
as possible, instead of standing sideways
This will
enable the player to constantly monitor the position of other players.
It will facilitate and improve passing and driving/breaking to both sides,
as well as shooting in different ways. The offense player that is facing
the goal is also more stable and firm in duels with the defenders. When
playing with the body facing the goal, the player should only turn his/her
upper body in the hips, while the feet should constantly face the goal.
This is particularly important when moving to the left (for right-handed
players); when playing in the right sideway position, the player looses
the sight of the right side of the field, is unable to shoot, and more
prone to committing an offensive foul than when facing the goal.
4-
The ball should be passed around in the level of the chest or higher
The path
of the ball in the offense should be flat, in the level of the chest,
without upward, downward, forward and backward fluctuations. While running,
the player should keep the hands at the level of the chest, where the
ball is most easily caught. After catching the ball "upwards",
the ball is above the head; however, at the pass, the hand is stretched
towards the teammate and the ball is again at the level of the chest.
When catching the ball, it should not be lowered and circular motion should
by all means be avoided. Even a convincing fake-pass only requires a movement
of the shoulder; there is no need to swing all the way and raise the arm
again! The ball should only be lowered under the level of the belt at
bounce-passes and at lower shots.
How should
a pass to the teammate be aimed? To the level of the chest; into the swing
from the right side; within the reach of arms from the left side; definitely
away from the defender, to help the teammate avoid his marker.
Key
characteristics of performing the tactical-technical offensive elements
The elements
are performed in line with the characteristics of the offensive technique,
described on the first page.
Playing
without the ball
Wing player and the pivot should dedicate most effort to open for a pass.
The wing players try to open by making a step or two towards the defender
and then quickly jumping back towards the sideline - but not by running
towards the center! The player should open for a pass when visual contact
is made with the player in possession of the ball, otherwise the defender
will again start to mark too tightly to allow a pass. The pivot should
also not try to open to early. Pivot players should box out the defender
and open into the free space in the last moment, as the ball leaves the
player in possession; otherwise, the defender will be able to mark the
pivot again before he receives the ball. Lateral (or back) players and
wings may also run or cut towards the line when they are not in possession,
or dribble; however, after the pass, every player should move to a new
dangerous position by moving towards the sideline or towards the center,
or by running forward.
The player
should await the pass while skipping (making small steps from one foot
to the other while staying in one place); this will facilitate the start
and receiving the ball while in full sprint. However, the run should not
be started to early, as the teammate will often not pass immediately;
if the player awaiting the ball comes too close to the defender before
actually receiving it, he will be forced to stop or slow down, thus loosing
the speed required for an efficient drive or shot. A full sprint should
only be started when the teammate makes visual contact! The player also
has to estimate whether the situation is more appropriate for a drive
or a shot, and adjust the approach run to the defender appropriately.
Receiving
the ball
The ball should be received while standing on the right foot. This enables
making three strides L-R-L before taking a shot or making a jump-pass.
The ball should be caught with a short move; before the reception, the
wrists should be loose, with hands turned downwards; the ball is then
received only with a backward move in the wrists. If the player does not
intend to pass the ball forward immediately, the ball should be raised
in the shortest way possible into the OS. After catching the ball, it
should be held from both sides, with thumbs forming a 60° angle, in the
shape of the letter A. This way, the palm holding the ball will be open
before the ball is thrown. A common mistake is catching the ball by holding
it too much from the front side, which closes the palm. Simultaneously
with the swing back, a slight lateral rotation of the upper body should
be made, in order to prepare the player for a shot or a pass in any direction.
After receiving
the ball from the right side, the ball should not be carried in front
of the player. It should be retained in the OS and transferred from left
hand to the right one with both hands either in front of the body or above
the head.
Moving
and playing with the ball
The approach run is not an element to be practiced separately. It is a
part of the drive/penetration or a long-distance shot. When performing
either of these two elements, the offense player should cut between two
defenders with his body in the offensive stance, with 1 - 3 running steps.
If the player does not intend to shoot, the run should be ended as close
to the defender as possible; carrying the ball in the offensive stance
enables this. The OS enables penetrating, dribbling, shooting or passing
to any teammate. This way, the preferred constant threat is created, which
also involves long passes. As a rule, each offense player in possession
of the ball should first attempt to break towards the 6m line; if this
cannot be done, the player should shoot before the defender, either while
standing on the ground or with a jump-shot, or pass to the teammate that
is currently in the most threatening position.
Harmless
runs that are not directed towards the goal are an opportunity for the
defenders to jump out of the defense formation and interrupt the offensive
play. All three offense player's steps must be directed towards the goal,
between two defenders. The offense player should then stop with feet placed
wide apart, with the ball in the OS, directly in front of the defender,
in order to draw two defenders. In order to constantly face the goal during
the game, the player should perform the left-right rotation only in the
hips, i.e. only by turning his/her upper body. The feet should always
be directed towards the goal.
The approach
run can be prolonged by a jump-pass. Faked shot, with the hand in the
open palm, above the head, will enable such a pass. If the players play
with the ball above the head, they will be able to pass more often to
the wing player, especially with a jump-pass, thus constantly stretching
the defense formation.
When the
ball is carried past the defender, it should be held above the head. If
the ball is held in front of the player, the defender can easily stop
the break with a foul. Again, the ball should be held in an open palm,
turned outwards, ready for a pass in both directions, even at longer distance.
Before attempting
a break through the defense, the ball should be shoved upwards and to
the front; thus, the hand holding the ball will be raised high above the
head when breaking past the defender.
Breaking
past the defender with running strides is faster than when the offense
player moves with switch steps or when landing on both feet widely apart.
It is important not to run with both feet too close together, as it easier
to change the direction of the run if they are farther apart. During the
break, the offense player should face the goal as well, holding the ball
in the offensive stance, ready for a shot or a pass in any direction.
Therefore, stepping with one foot behind the other can be very useful
when breaking to the left side. A lot of players may not be comfortable
with breaking in the offensive stance, but the goal of the break or penetration
is above all to draw the next defender and pass to an open teammate immediately
before the foul. This can only be achieved in the OS!
Passing the ball
Shooting technique only differs from the passing technique at the end
of the sequence of moves: when shooting, the fingers cover the ball, while
with passes they slide underneath it, imparting a slight backspin on it
by giving it a "lick". The swig back for a shot or a long pass
should be the same: diagonally backwards, upwards, high above the head,
until the pectoral (chest) muscles are stretched, with a simultaneous
rotation of the upper body by 90°. If the OS is the starting position,
an accurate shot or a long pass only require raising the ball high upwards
and making a lateral rotation of the upper body. When thrusting forwards,
the chain of motion is of key importance: shoulder - elbow - wrist. More
advanced players also apply the whip effect, when the elbow is raised
first and the forearm is hung downwards, which is then followed by a sudden
forward thrust of the elbow. Before the throw, or the thrust, the elbow
should be in front of the ball, and the palm should be open and turned
upwards and outwards to enable shooting to any part of the frame. Immediately
before the ball is thrown, is should be covered with a downward movement
of the wrist if it is shot, or given a backspin if it is passed. Remember,
the correct position of the palm will depend on the way the ball is caught
and held, and on the correct upper body rotation. When shooting, the swing
back is not as important, since the throw begins by a forward movement
of the arm; however, circular motion and bending the arm do not result
in accurate shots, let alone in accurate passes! The center point of the
shot is the shoulder; therefore, it should be raised high before the ball
is thrown. During the forward thrust, the elbow should not be lowered,
and the forearm should not be moved forward too soon by bending the elbow,
as this will weaken the shot and make it less accurate.
Inaccurate
passes cause too many turnovers during the game. For short passes it suffices
to catch the ball by immediately opening the palm with a short move of
the wrist; a medium-distance pas requires some additional rotation of
the hips and carrying the ball above the shoulder in the OS. This means
that as the ball is caught, it should be swung back immediately; then
it is only required to extend the arm forwards, in the direction of the
pass. If the palm is open and the fingers slide under the ball, giving
it a backspin, the passes will be accurate and fast, yet easy to catch!
Fake passes
and fake shots are convincing enough if they are indicated with the shoulder,
without moving the ball away from the position from which it is ready
for a shot.
Mistakes,
especially when receiving the ball, shooting and passing, may have a decisive
influence on the player's success. They should be the focus of your attention!
Playing
with the ball above the head, in full sprint, facing the goal, along with
accurate passes,
will improve handball even further.
Hence, we will all enjoy "handball, the best game on Earth"
even more!
Why play in the offensive stance?
1- The player
is always ready to pass in any direction, to any teammate, even if a long
pass is required.
2- The player
has the option throughout the three seconds to either shoot or pass to
any teammate; thus, the ball is constantly kept "in play"!
3- Playing
in the OS enables and motivates creativity and wit.
4- It is
easier to avoid fouls by the defenders, hence not allowing them to interrupt
a sequence of dangerous offense activities.
5- Less passes
are intercepted than when passing by shoving the ball, as it is harder
for the opponent to anticipate the offense player's intents.
6- The players
are immediately ready to shoot, especially if the ball is passed directly
to the OS; the hand only needs to be raised slightly further.
7- When the
ball is carried above the head, throws, shots and passes are more precise
than when the arm is swung.
8- Shot realization,
especially from the 6m line, is much better from the OS; it is more difficult
for the goalkeeper to predict the offense player's intent.
9- Playing
in the OS keeps us from bouncing the ball, which makes our game more threatening,
with less exposure to fouls and interceptions.
10- When
the ball is held in the OS, the swing is more dangerous and the defense
is easier to break through, as the defenders have to exert more pressure.
11- In the
OS, the same swing is used for shooting and passing. Therefore, only one
technique of throwing the ball is required.
12- The beginners
find it much easier to play with the ball above their heads; this also
improves their throwing technique.
