Team Handball 3v3: Goalie Joins the Attack
A small-sided game on cross courts with two goals where the goalie, after a save or catch, may leave the area and join the attack as a fourth player, leaving the goal empty. Students work on playing with a numbers advantage, risk decisions and defending an empty net.
How to play
- Setup (2 min): four cross courts with goals or 2-m cone goals, teams of 4 (3 plus a goalie) in pinnies.
- Explanation (2 min): the goalie may leave with the ball and attack 4-on-3; if the team loses the ball, the opponent may shoot at the empty goal from their own half.
- Game (6 min): a normal goal is 1 point; a goal with the goalie attacking is 2 points; an empty-net goal is 2 points for the opponent.
- Time-out (2 min): each team decides when it's worth sending the goalie forward.
- Second game (6 min): switch opponents; every player must play goalie at least once, swapping every 2 minutes.
- Wrap-up (2 min): each team describes one time the risk paid off and one time it didn't.
Rules
- The goalie may only leave the area with the ball in their hands.
- Empty-net shots are taken from your own half, without entering the area.
- No contact with the goalie while they sprint back to their goal.
- Keep a 1-yd distance on defense: arms up, no grabbing.
Variations
Easier
Empty-net shots are only allowed from the opponent's midcourt line, from farther away.
Standard
The goalie joins the attack and goals with the extra player earn bonus points.
Harder
The goalie may only leave after a save and must get back before the opponent crosses midcourt.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: plays a goalie who stays home or a player in a fixed zone who receives and passes.
- Autism: the team agrees on a clear signal beforehand for when the goalie goes forward.
- Lower fitness: swaps between goal and court more often.
Learning goals
- Take advantage of a numbers advantage on offense.
- Weigh the risk of leaving the goal empty.
- Work together to defend the goal when the goalie goes forward.
Equipment for a class of 25
- team handball: 4
- goals: 8
- pinnies: 16
- cones: 16
Teacher tip
At first every goalie will always go forward: let them experience it, then ask when it's worth it. Leave enough space between goals on the cross courts.
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