Playing
in the offensive body position - basic feature of modern offensive technique
model in handball
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In modern
handball the players are in constant motion. They should thereby face
the goal frame whenever this is possible, and with the ball in the head
level ( or higher ), in the swinging motion, with a 90° angle in the elbow
-Fig. 1. This enables constant overview of all the players, and gives
possibility to play and pass in any direction. Keeping and carrying the
ball in front of the body, with passes originating from the wrist or by
pushing the ball, is not rational, according to our opinion.
Playing in
the offensive position is supported by a number of reasons, which are
well illustrated on the photographs:
-from the
offensive position the ball may be passed to any direction, to any of
other five teammates immediately, safely and sharply. This is impossible
if the ball is carried low in front of the body, so that the manner
of carrying the ball is a limiting element of producing playing ideas;
- it is
easier to avoid fouls of adversary defensive players, so our play is
more dangerous, much closer to the defensive player;
-defensive
players have less chance to cut the pass, since it is much more difficult
to "sense" the pass beforehand, than with the "pushing"
pass or passing from below, from the wrist. Open palm and the twist
of the body prior the throw gives the attacker the chance to change
the direction or the height of the pass at the last moment, and in case
of shooting towards the goal the arm is only slightly extended;
-if catching
into the swing is combined the shortest possible way, without circular
motion of the ball, or drawing it to the chest, etc. it should give
the attacker whole 3 seconds to select and prepare the throw or the
pass -see Fig. 3;
-it has
been noticed that with beginners carrying the ball in the offensive
position makes the play much easier. They avoid fouls, decide upon the
rational continuity of the game, and learn much faster to throw the
ball correctly, with the arm in the extended position -Fig. 2.
In short, playing in the offensive position is expected to bring the play
with less mistakes, versatile combinations and less interruptions for
defensive fouls. It combines numerous elements which are going to be briefly
represented here.
- Receipt
and delivery of the ball- catching and combining with the swing for
the pass throw or shoot
During the
attack towards the goal the ball is in most cases caught sideways, with
the player turned towards the goal frame, but with arms aside, turned
towards the ball. This is called " side catch " -Fig. 3. The
ball is caught only by the motion of the wrist ( ! ), with relaxed and
loose palms and fingers. We do not draw the ball unnecessarily towards
the chest, we do not circle with the ball and we do not lower the ball.
Catching and swinging before the throw both represent one single uninterrupted
motion, which for short passes ends in front of the body, for most other
activities with the ball it ends assuming the offensive position, and
for longer passes and goal throws it ends in the prolonged swing -see
Fig. 3. Likewise, when catching the ball bounced from the floor, the palm
is immediately opened and the ball transferred to the offensive guarding
position.
For short passes, it is also possible to use the traditional throw instead
of pushing, but without the swing, only by opening the palm in the wrist
and extending the arm in the direction of the pass. The important thing
is to teach young players one single
technique of passing the ball, different from the others principally in
the length of the swing and the number of joints involved. When
catching from the right the ball is immediately in the offensive position!
When receiving the ball from the left, we do not circle with it, but swing
forward for the shooting. It may be returned back to the left imrnediately,
in front of the left shoulder, far from the defense player's reach -Fig.4.
- The offensive
playing position may be used with all other elements, as the basic position
for further activities:
-"frontal
invasion" is the motion in the offensive position with three
running steps or with a single floor bounce. The player should face
the goal frame if at all possible. His attack may be concluded with
breaktrough the line of 6 m., or with throw from the floor, with
jump shot or with a pass -Fig. 5.
-during
the penetration through the defence and during dribble, the ball
is not carried in the lowered hand position below the waist. The
defence may be better avoided by elevating the ball to the offensive
position, even raised above the head -Fig. 6 and7.
Suggestion for practising the elements of offensive position:
playing in the offensive position will probably be new to the players,
so let them do as many exercises as practicable in that position, including
various warm-up exercises -Fig. 8.
by Tone Gorsic,
prof.
