Team Handball: Game with a Shot Chart
While two teams play, a group of analysts charts every shot on a court diagram: zone, result and shooter. At halftime, teams use the data to adjust their game plan. Students practice game analysis and making decisions based on data.
How to play
- Split the class into three groups: two teams of 6 plus a goalkeeper and a group of analysts (2 per team and 1 for each goalkeeper).
- Give the analysts a sheet with the court split into 6 zones (wings, backs, center and 6 meters) and explain the code: circle = goal, X = save, dash = miss.
- First half (8 min): regular 6-on-6 game while the analysts chart every shot their team takes.
- Halftime (4 min): analysts calculate shooting percentage by zone and explain it to their team; the team decides which zone to attack more and which side of the goalkeeper to shoot at.
- Second half (8 min): play using the new plan; analysts keep charting to see if shooting improved.
Rules
- Analysts stay off the court, about 6 ft back from the sideline, so they don't get hit by the ball.
- School rules apply: 3 steps, the goal area is for the goalkeeper only and contact must be frontal with no grabbing.
- Shots must avoid the goalkeeper's head; a shot to the face gives the ball to the other team.
Variations
Easier
Analysts only record goal or no goal and the zone, without the shooter or shot height.
Standard
Chart zone, result and shooter, with a halftime game-plan adjustment.
Harder
Add the target area of the goal (9 squares) to scout the opposing goalkeeper, and also calculate your own goalkeeper's save percentage.
Adaptations
- A student with limited mobility can be the lead analyst or play goalkeeper with a narrower goal.
- For students with autism, the analyst role with a clear, fixed code is often comfortable; offer the sheet as a simple table.
- Students with lower fitness can switch between playing and charting each half.
Learning goals
- Record game data using a simple observation code.
- Interpret shooting percentages to make tactical decisions.
- Share the conclusions of an analysis clearly and respectfully.
Equipment for a class of 25
- team handballs: 2
- pinnies: 14
- goals: 2
- observation checklists: 8
- pencils: 6
Teacher tip
Practice the code on two or three shots before starting, or the sheets come back incomplete. If tablets or phones are available, a spreadsheet works, but paper does the job just as well.
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