Handball: The Goalkeeper Reads the Shooter's Arm

Every student takes a turn in goal to learn to stand on the bisector of the shooting angle and to anticipate shot direction by reading the shooter's arm and shoulder. Save percentages by zone are logged on a sheet.

How to play

1. Explain the ready stance: knees slightly bent, hands at head height and position on the imaginary line between ball and center of the goal (4 min).
2. In pairs, no goal: the shooter fakes a shot without releasing the ball and the goalkeeper points to where it would go (5 min).
3. In goal, shots at 60% power from three cone-marked spots; the goalkeeper repositions before each shot (7 min).
4. Rounds of five shots per goalkeeper: a partner logs shot zone and whether it was saved (6 min).
5. Each goalkeeper works out their percentage and shares which shooter cue helped most (3 min).

Rules

• Shots at medium power and never at the goalkeeper's head; a shot to the face means the shooter is replaced.
• The goalkeeper may use gloves or a soft ball if they prefer.
• Only one student shoots at a time, after the goalkeeper's signal.
• From closer than 7 m, only foam balls are used.

Variations

Adaptations

• Visual impairment: acts as scorekeeper or shooter with sound cues; does not play in goal.
• Anxiety or fear of the ball: starts with a foam ball and a small cone goal.
• Limited mobility: defends a reduced 2 m (6 ft) goal from the wheelchair with a soft ball.

Learning goals

• Position correctly relative to the shooting angle.
• Anticipate ball path by watching the shooter's arm, shoulder and eyes.
• Collect and interpret one's own performance data.

Equipment for a class of 25

• handballs: 10
• cones: 6
• worksheets: 10
• pinnies: 4

Teacher tip

Insist on controlled power: the goal is for the goalkeeper to learn, not to score. Keep foam balls handy for anyone who feels afraid.

More activities like this

More main activities for High School