Team Handball 4-on-4 Full-Court Man-to-Man

Short 4-on-4 games with goalies where every defender guards the same opponent, the one wearing the same number, all over the court. Students practice man-to-man defense without fouling, cutting to get free of a defender, and endurance.

How to play

1. Two cross-court fields with small goals and a 5-yard goal area. Four teams of five or six with pinnies numbered 1 to 4 per team; the rest play goalie or wait to sub in.
2. Each player guards only the opponent with the same number and stays with them all over the court, between them and the goal.
3. Games last 3 minutes with 1-minute breaks. During the break, goalies switch and the waiting players come in.
4. If an attacker scores with their defender nowhere near, the teacher points it out so the pair can talk it over during the break.
5. After four games, change opponents and numbers so everyone guards different players.

Rules

• No holding, pushing, or hitting the shooter's arm; repeated fouls give a 7-meter throw.
• Help defense is allowed only when an attacker with the ball gets inside 9 meters.
• Safety: defend at arm's length, with no running collisions.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the student is guarded by a defender who may not steal and defends only in their own half.
• Visual impairment: use high-contrast pinnies with large numbers on the back.
• Fitness level: the teacher matches numbers by similar ability.

Learning goals

• Play man-to-man defense without illegal contact.
• Cut to get free of a defender.
• Sustain high effort through short games.

Equipment for a class of 25

• team handballs: 3
• colored pinnies: 20
• small goals: 4
• cones: 24

Teacher tip

This is very demanding, so stick to the breaks and watch for students running out of gas. The typical mistake is watching only the ball and losing your player; cue 'see ball, see player.'

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