Improving the Interaction of Back Position Players With the Pivot
Handball Technical Literature
Part 1 of the Handball Technical Literature series
The objective of this training unit is to practice the interaction of a back position player with the pivot. Following warm-up and a running coordination exercise, the players prepare for the running moves in the back positions during the ball familiarization phase. After the goalkeeper warm-up shooting, there will be three offense exercises in which the players further develop the team play step by step. In a 4-on-4 game, the players should implement what they practiced before.
The training unit consists of the following key exercises:
- Warm-up/Stretching (individual exercise: 10 minutes/total time: 10 minutes)
- Coordination run (10/20),
- Ball familiarization (10/30),
- Goalkeeper warm-up shooting (10/40),
- Offense/Small groups (10/50),
- Offense/Small groups (10/60),
- Offense/Small groups (20/80),
- Offense/Team (10/90).
Training unit total time: 90 minutes.
Difficulty: Higher requirement (youth teams under 17 years of age and adult teams).
Improving Passing Precision During Running Movements
Handball technical literature
Part 2 of the Handball Technical Literature series
The objective of this training unit is to improve the passing precision during running movements, in particular. Following warm-up consisting of combined running moves and passing variants and a short game, the players practice passing while running at full speed during the ball familiarization phase. The goalkeeper warm-up shooting and the subsequent series of shots also focus on playing passes while running at full speed. A second series of shots combines double passes on a defined running path with quick passes in direction of the goal. Finally, the players practice playing precise passes under pressure in a small group game and a closing game.
The training unit consists of the following key exercises:
- Warm-up/Stretching (individual exercise: 10 minutes/total time: 10 minutes)
- Short game (15/25)
- Ball familiarization (10/35)
- Goalkeeper warm-up shooting (10/45)
- Offense/Series of shots (10/55)
- Offense/Series of shots (15/70)
- Offense/Small groups (10/80)
- Closing game (10/90)
Training unit total time: 90 min.
Difficulty: Simple requirement (all youth and adult teams)
Series of Shots with Reflexive Jumping Power Training
Handball technical literature
Part 3 of the Handball Technical Literature series
This unit focuses on training the jumping power with handball-specific shooting exercises. After warm-up, a coordination run exercise, and a sprint contest, ball familiarization includes jumping and additional exercises with the ball. After the goalkeeper warm-up shooting, reaction time and jumping power are trained in two individual shooting exercises. A closing game completes this training unit.
Improving Speed Play for Fast Break Situations
Handball technical literature
Part 4 of the Handball Technical Literature series
The objective of this training unit is to improve free play in fast break situations. Following warm-up and a short game, the players play long passes during the ball familiarization phase which will be further developed in the goalkeeper warm-up shooting exercise. This is followed by a series of shots requiring precise passes. Afterwards, the players practice free play in outnumbered, open situations during fast breaks. A closing game with gradually increasing complexity completes this training unit.
The training unit consists of the following key exercises:
• Warm-up/Stretching (individual exercise: 10 minutes/total time: 10 minutes)
• Short game (10/20)
• Ball familiarization (10/30)
• Goalkeeper warm-up shooting (10/40)
• Offense/Series of shots (10/50)
• Offense/Small groups (15/65)
• Offense/Small groups (10/75)
• Closing game (15/90)
Total training time: 90 minutes
Difficulty: Medium level (youth teams under 15 years of age and adult teams)
Developing and Improving the Shooting Movement
Handball technical literature
Part 5 of the Handball Technical Literature series
This training unit focuses on acquiring and improving correct shooting movements. This means shooting while standing and shooting while running, without a jump, however, in order to highlight arm and body movements. Following a warm-up exercise that already involves shots, the players practice the shoulder and arm rotation for shooting and subsequently combine these moves in a passing competition. In a short game, the players implement the shooting movements in a game situation. This is followed by the goalkeeper warm-up shooting and a closing series of shots that focus on shooting at the goal.
The training unit consists of the following key exercises:
- Warm-up/Stretching (individual exercise: 15 minutes/total time: 15 minutes),
- Ball familiarization (10/25),
- Ball familiarization (10/35),
- Shooting competitions (15/50),
- Short game (15/65),
- Goalkeeper warm-up shooting (10/75),
- Offense/Series of shots (15/90).
Training unit total time: 90 min.
Difficulty: Low level (all youth and adult teams).
Small Group Game: Piston Movement/Countermovement of the Back Position Players and Interaction With
Handball Technical Literature
Part 6 of the Handball Technical Literature series
This training unit focuses on the interaction of the back position players with each other regarding piston movement/countermovement and passing to the pivot. Following warm-up, the back position players take the first methodical step regarding the interaction with the pivot during the ball familiarization phase. During the goalkeeper warm-up shooting and a subsequent offense exercise, the players practice the piston movement/countermovement which should result in a shot. In the following two small group exercises, the players stepwise further develop their piston movement/countermovement and the interaction with the pivot. The final exercise combines the different elements that the players practiced before with an initial action and creative continuous playing.
The training unit consists of the following key exercises:
- Warm-up/Stretching (individual exercise: 10 minutes/total time: 10 minutes)
- Warm-up/Stretching (10/20)
- Ball familiarization (10/30)
- Goalkeeper warm-up shooting (10/40)
- Offense/Individual (10/50)
- Offense/Small groups (15/65)
- Offense/Small groups (15/80)
- Offense/Team (10/90)
Training unit total time: 90 minutes
Difficulty: High level (youth teams from 15 years of age and older)
Improving Passing Precision When Initiating the First Wave
Handball technical literature
Part 7 of the Handball Technical Literature series
The objective of this training unit is to improve running paths, passing and the decision-making process during the first wave. After a warm-up running exercise, the subsequent short game already includes quick adjustment exercises and long passes. During the ball familiarization phase and the goalkeeper warm-up shooting, the players practice playing long passes before they combine several actions with first wave initiation in a series of shots. The closing small group exercises finally focus on making passing decisions.
Handball-Specific Endurance Training With Fast Break Movements
Handball technical literature
Part 8 of the Handball Technical Literature series
This unit trains handball-specific endurance focusing on running and jumping exercises. After warm-up including a coordination run exercise, ball familiarization includes a passing and running course across the whole court. Goalkeeper warm-up shooting includes a series of 4 shots combined with a subsequent 2-on-2 fast break. The following endurance unit requires jumping exercises and playing 2-on-2 across the whole court alternately. This intense unit ends with a team exercise and a team fast break contest.
The training unit consists of the following key exercises:
- Warm-up/Stretching (individual exercise: 10 minutes/total time: 10 minutes)
- Coordination run (10/20)
- Ball familiarization (10/30)
- Goalkeeper warm-up shooting (10/40)
- Endurance course (25/65)
- Team exercise (10/75)
- Offense/Individual (15/90)
Total training time: 90 minutes
Difficulty level: Top level (competitive area)
Gaining positional advantage using passing feints (TU 10)
Handball technical literature
Part 10 of the Handball Technical Literature series
The key topics of this training unit are passing feints and how to combine them with a breakthrough or a return pass to a teammate. Following a warm-up running exercise, the players already learn how to pass the ball cleverly in a short game; this will be further developed in the ball familiarization phase. In the goalkeeper warm-up shooting exercise, the players practice passing feints in combination with a 1-on-1 breakthrough; in the subsequent series of shots, they combine the passing feint with a return pass to their teammate. Both variants will be implemented twice in the subsequent 1-on-1, 3-on-2, and 4-on-4 games.
The training unit consists of the following key exercises:
- Warm-up/Stretching (individual exercise: 10 minutes/total time: 10 minutes)
- Short game (10/20)
- Ball familiarization (15/35)
- Goalkeeper warm-up shooting (10/45)
- Offense/Series of shots (10/55)
- Offense/Individual (10/65)
- Offense/Small groups (15/80)
- Closing game (10/90)
Training unit total time: 90 min.
Training unit requirements: Low level (all youth and adult teams)
Intense Athletics Training for Arms and Legs
Handball Technical Literature
Part 11 of the Handball Technical Literature series
This intense training unit focuses on athletics training. After warm-up including a game with high running intensity and a coordination run exercise, an athletics course is done. An additional jumping and strength exercise for the arms and a running exercise complete this training unit. The training unit consists of the following key exercises:
- Warm-up/Stretching (individual exercise: 10 minutes/total time: 10 minutes)
- Short game (15/25)- Coordination run (10/35)
- Athletics course (30/65)
- Athletics training (15/80)
- Running exercise (10/90)
Total training time: 90 minutes. Difficulty level: Top level (competitive area)
Pivot - Achieving Positional Advantages in Small-Group Team Play
Part 12 of the Handball Technical Literature series
The objective of this training unit is to improve the positioning of the pivot. Following warm-up and a short game, the players practice passing to the pivot under difficult conditions and with different passing variants during the ball familiarization and goalkeeper warm-up shooting phases. Afterward, there will be an individual exercise regarding the pivot's screening followed by two small group exercises in which the interaction with the back position and wing players will be practiced. In a closing game, the players should implement what they practiced before.
The training unit consists of the following key exercises:
- Warm-up/Stretching (individual exercise: 10 minutes/total time: 10 minutes),
- Short game (10/20),
- Ball familiarization (15/35),
- Goalkeeper warm-up shooting (10/45),
- Offense/Individual (10/55),
- Offense/Small groups (10/65),
- Offense/Small groups (10/75),
- Closing game (15/90).
Training unit total time: 90 minutes.
Training unit requirements: Intermediate requirement (youth teams under 15 years of age and adult teams)
Developing a Well-Structured Second Wave by Implementing Long Crossing Moves and Options For Furt
Handball technical literature
Part 13 of the Handball Technical Literature series
The objective of this training unit is to develop a long crossing during the second wave. Following a warm-up running exercise, a short game, and a ball familiarization exercise, the players initially develop the long crossing during the goalkeeper warm-up shooting phase. In the subsequent series of shots which will be combined with a 1-on-0 fast break, the players practice the long crossing with compensation of the center back player. Defense players and the pivot are added for the two subsequent small group exercises, before the players implement the course 4-on-4 during the closing part of the training unit.
Handball-Specific Endurance Training in Game-Like Situations
Handball technical literature
Part 15 of the Handball Technical Literature series
This training unit contains a playful, handball-specific endurance unit. Each exercise is characterized by a high running intensity and is directly related to the handball game. After a warm-up and ball familiarization as well as goalkeeper warm-up shooting, an endurance course is done. In this, two players have to accomplish a task as opponents. Which team is the first to score eight times? A sprint contest completes this intense training unit.
The training unit consists of the following key exercises:
- Warm-up/Stretching (individual exercise: 10 minutes/total time: 10 minutes),
- Ball familiarization (10/20),
- Goalkeeper warm-up shooting (10/30),
- Endurance course (50/80),
- Sprint contest (10/90).
Training unit total time: 90 minutes
Difficulty level: High level (youth teams under 17 years of age and adult teams).
Acting Against the Defending Wing Position Player With a Physically Stronger Pivot
Handball technical literature
Part 17 of the Handball Technical Literature series
This training unit focuses on simple initial actions in order to gain positional advantage by having a physically stronger pivot play against a physically weaker defense player on the wing positions. The warm-up phase focuses on coordination. Afterwards, the players practice the first steps of the subsequent team play during the ball familiarization and goalkeeper warm-up shooting phases. The three subsequent offense exercises consist of the preparation and the final 1-on-1 play to get the pivot into a good shooting position. A closing game completes this training unit. The training unit consists of the following key exercises: Warm-up/Stretching (individual exercise: 10 minutes/total time: 10 minutes), Coordination run (10/20), Ball familiarization (10/30), Goalkeeper warm-up shooting (10/40), Offense/Individual (10/50), Offense/Small groups (15/65), Offense/Team (15/80). Closing game (10/90), Training unit total time: 90 minutes. Training unit requirements: Highest requirements (competitive area)
Breaking Away From Man Coverage Using Running Feints
Handball technical literature
Part 18 of the Handball Technical Literature series
This training unit focuses on breaking away from man coverage without a ball, by means of running feints. Following warm-up, a sprint contest with changes of direction, and a team ball variant, the players practice quick changes of direction one more time during the goalkeeper warm-up shooting exercise. Subsequently, there will be an individual offense exercise focusing on breaking away by means of running feints. The players will further elaborate this topic in two small group exercises and finally implement what they practiced before in free play.
The training unit consists of the following key exercises:
- Warm-up/Stretching (individual exercise: 10 minutes/total time: 10 minutes)
- Sprint contest (10/20)
- Short game (10/30)
- Goalkeeper warm-up shooting (10/40)
- Offense/Individual (15/55)
- Offense/Small groups (10/65)
- Offense/Small groups (15/80)
- Closing game (10/90)
Training unit total time: 90 min.
Difficulty: Low level (all youth and adult teams)
Step-By-Step Development of Initial Actions After a Fast Throw-Off
Handball technical literature
Part 19 of the Handball Technical Literature series
The objective of this training unit is to develop a simple initial action after a fast throw-off. Following warm-up and a coordination run exercise, the players practice the basics during the ball familiarization phase and the goalkeeper warm-up shooting. During the three subsequent exercises, the players further develop the running and passing paths and eventually combine them in order to create an initial action. In the closing game, the players implement what they practiced before. The training unit consists of the following key exercises: Warm-up/Stretching (individual exercise: 10 minutes/total time: 10 minutes); Coordination run (10/20); Ball familiarization (10/30); Goalkeeper warm-up shooting (10/40); Offense/Small groups (10/50); Offense/Team (15/65); Offense/Team (15/80); Closing game (10/90); Training unit total time: 90 minutes. Difficulty: High level (youth teams under 17 years of age and adult teams)
Intense Speed Strength/Speed Strength Endurance Training With Various Running Directions
Handball technical literature
Part 20 of the Handball Technical Literature series
This athletics unit focuses on improving speed strength endurance. After warm-up and a short game, five athletics exercises train the various groups of thigh muscles by moving forwards, backwards, and to the side. This training unit is very intense and can thus be incorporated in preparation periods or season breaks.
The training unit consists of the following key exercises:
- Warm-up/Stretching (individual exercise: 10 minutes/total time: 10 minutes)
- Short game (10/20)
- Athletics training (15/35)
- Athletics training (15/50)
- Athletics training (15/65)
- Athletics training (15/80)
- Athletics training (10/90)
Total training time: 90 minutes
Difficulty level: Top level (competitive area)
Training of Stem Shot Variants for Back Position Players – Decision-Making
Handball technical literature
Part 28 of the Handball Technical Literature series
This training unit focuses on improving stem shots. Following the warm-up, the players repeat different stem shot variants during the ball familiarization phase. After a shooting competition and the goalkeeper warm-up shooting, the players practice these shooting variants by playing against an inactive defense player before they practice making stem shot decisions by playing against a more active defense player. In a series of shots and another individual offense exercise, the players subsequently practice the different stem shot variants in various situations similar to the real game. Finally, they implement the shooting variants in a 3-on-3 game.
The training unit consists of the following key exercises:
- Warm-up/Stretching (individual exercise: 10 minutes/total time: 10 minutes),
- Ball familiarization (15/25),
- Shooting competitions (10/35),
- Goalkeeper warm-up shooting (10/45),
- Offense/Individual (15/60),
- Offense/Series of shots (10/70),
- Offense/Individual (10/80),
- Offense/Small groups (10/90).
Training unit total time: 90 minutes
Training unit requirements: Intermediate requirement (youth teams under 15 years of age and adult teams).