Drills · Defence

    Handball defence drills

    Defensive drills for handball — 6-0 shifting, one-on-one stance and footwork, and covering the pivot without giving away fouls.

    6-0 shifting shadow

    Coordinated sideways movement of the defensive block with the ball.

    AgeU13+Players6–12Time10–15 minIntensityMedium

    Set-up

    Six defenders on the six-metre line; attackers pass the ball along the backcourt with no shots at first.

    How it runs

    1. As the ball moves across the backcourt, the whole block shifts one step toward the ball.
    2. Defenders stay connected — no gaps open between neighbours.
    3. Progress to allowing attackers to attack a gap so defenders react and close it.

    Coaching points

    • Move on the pass, not after it — shift as the ball travels.
    • Keep an arm's distance to your neighbour; talk through every shift.
    • The ball-side defender steps out; the far side folds in to cover.

    One-on-one stance and footwork

    Staying in front of an attacker with legal footwork, no fouls.

    AgeU11+Players2–12Time8–12 minIntensityMedium

    Set-up

    Pairs, one attacker one defender, in a channel about three metres wide.

    How it runs

    1. The attacker tries to beat the defender to a line; the defender shuffles to stay in front.
    2. Defender uses a bent-knee stance and short steps — no crossing the feet.
    3. Add a legal two-handed contact on the torso to slow the attacker.

    Coaching points

    • Stay low with weight on the balls of the feet, ready to push off.
    • Contact the torso with two open hands — no holding, hitting or pushing.
    • Move your feet first; reaching with the arms is how fouls happen.

    Cover and switch on the pivot

    Two defenders handing off the pivot without losing him.

    AgeU14+Players4–10Time10–15 minIntensityMedium

    Set-up

    Two central defenders, one pivot moving between them, a backcourt feeder.

    How it runs

    1. The pivot slides along the six-metre line; the near defender fronts, the far defender stays aware.
    2. As the pivot crosses, defenders call the switch and hand him off cleanly.
    3. Add a feed so defenders must deny the pass at the moment of the switch.

    Coaching points

    • Talk loudly — the switch only works if both defenders hear it.
    • Never both leave the pivot; one is always on the ball-side hand.
    • Front the pivot on the ball side to make the feed hard.

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