Handball: Tactical Challenges the Team Must Certify

A team assessment challenge in 5v5 handball games: each team has a card with five tactical principles from the unit (counterattack in under 5 seconds, ball circulation to the far side, crossing, help defense and getting back) and must show them in play. A judge from the resting team certifies each principle when it is done well, and the challenge is to complete the card, not to win.

How to play

1. Review the five principles with a quick demo of each on the whiteboard or on court (5 min).
2. Form six teams of five; two courts play at once and the remaining pair of teams provides one judge for each team playing (2 min).
3. First block of 6-minute games: the judge signs off on each principle shown clearly (7 min).
4. 2-minute team time-out to plan how to create the missing principles (2 min).
5. Second and third blocks with teams and judges rotating; each team keeps its card (12 min).
6. Debrief: which principle was hardest for the whole class and why (2 min).

Rules

• The judge only certifies what they see completed; if in doubt, they do not sign and explain why at the end.
• No hard contact: no grabbing or pushing the shooter.
• The goalkeeper wears a different pinnie and nobody shoots at the head or steps inside the 6-meter area.
• Over the challenge, the certified principles must involve at least three different players on the team.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: acts as lead judge or plays in a reserved passing zone where they cannot be guarded.
• Hearing impairment: block changes are signaled by hand and the card has drawings of each principle.
• Low fitness level: subs in and out freely and takes charge of one principle, such as getting back on defense.

Learning goals

• Apply team tactical principles of handball in real play.
• Plan as a team how to create specific tactical situations.
• Judge other teams' play honestly in the role of referee.

Equipment for a class of 25

• handballs: 4
• pinnies: 15
• cones: 12
• worksheets: 6

Teacher tip

When the focus is on the card instead of the score, teams pass more and everyone gets involved. Review the cards at the end to see which principle needs more practice.

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