Three-Team Three-Goal Handball
Three teams play at once on a triangle-shaped court: each team guards its own goal and may attack either of the other two by throwing the ball. Students practice passing, choosing the less-defended target, and balancing offense with protecting their own goal.
How to play
- Place three small goals in a triangle about 60 ft per side and cone off a 10-ft area in front of each; form six teams of 4 in pinnies and set up two triangles (3 min).
- Each team guards its own goal; the ball moves by passing, the carrier may take three steps, and there is no dribbling.
- Teams may score in either opposing goal by throwing from outside the area; each goal is worth 1 point.
- After a goal, the team scored on restarts from its area; nobody steps into any area, and there are no permanent goalies.
- Play 4-minute games, then teams switch triangles to face new opponents (12 min, 3 games).
- Finish by asking whether it was better to attack all the time or keep someone near your own goal (3 min).
Rules
- Three steps max and 5 seconds holding the ball.
- No ripping the ball away; only interceptions.
- Nobody enters any goal area.
- Safety: throw below the waist with a foam ball.
Variations
Easier
Widen the goals with cones and allow walking with the ball.
Standard
Three teams of 4, three steps, and goals from outside the area.
Harder
A goal only counts after three passes, and goals against the leading team count double.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: shoot from a fixed spot beside an area, with one shot per attack.
- Autism: give each team its own cone color for its goal and keep it the same.
- Fitness level: add a sub every 2 minutes for teams of 5.
Learning goals
- Choose the less-defended goal before shooting.
- Balance offense and defense within the team.
- Pass and throw by hand while respecting the goal areas.
Equipment for a class of 25
- foam ball: 2
- small goals: 6
- cones: 24
- pinnies: 24
Teacher tip
With three teams, spontaneous alliances pop up; let it happen and discuss it as strategy at the end. If one team never gets attacked, change the game order.
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