Handball is one of two ways a player can legally dispose of a football in Australian rules football. Initially, it was used to get rid of the ball when the player was tackled and unable to kick the ball. It was developed into a strike weapon during the 1950s by Geelong superstar ruckman Polly Farmer.
This article is not about handball technical skill, but is designed to advise the coach of youth players on how best to use handball effectively in both attacking and defensive situations.
It is important from the beginning that young players practice handballing with both hands equally. This can be achieved by creating pairs of players in rows, two meters apart, hand-playing each other with alternating hands, and then gradually widening the distance between the players to lengthen the hand. This should be a regular practice activity. This activity allows players to touch the ball many times in a short time. Players obviously need to be taught how to play the hand correctly. Players should also practice different types of handballs: the rocket handball and the one that rolls from one end to the other.
Once the handball warm-up drill is complete, simulate handball in a game-like situation. During these simulations, insist that the players do the following to improve the effectiveness of their handball.
Players must love soccer chest high in front of their teammate. They must aim the ball into space in front of their teammate, forcing the player to accelerate to catch the ball. This will help that player avoid being tackled by an opponent.
The soccer ball should float in a slow circular motion so that it is easy for the teammate to catch the ball.
The player with the ball must always turn towards the player they are shaking hands with.
The player taking the handball must follow the handball to recover a bad throw, guide the teammate receiving the ball, and/or receive a follow-up handball.
It is important that the player who wants the hand calls for the ball out loud and that the player making the hand acknowledges that call.
It is important to emphasize that players should never pass the hand to a nearby player because they will be under pressure and likely to be tackled. It’s best to play your hand into space in front of your closest teammate, forcing him away from the defender and after the ball. For these types of situations, teach your players to play off the hand so that the ball rolls back and forth bouncing regularly to make it easier to pick up the ball.
Teach your players to give an attacking hand at the first opportunity or not to give it. In other words, “don’t wire it”, ie e. Let your opponent know that you want to play the hand.
Sometimes players will need to play defensive handball if they can’t kick or don’t have the support of a teammate. It is important that they play with their hand as far as possible towards the edge and follow the ball and keep moving the ball forward while waiting for support from the team. The important advantage the player has here is that he knows where the ball is going and therefore he has “the jump” over his opponent to win the ball back.
All of these ideas can be simulated in practice exercises and mini-games. In particular, the games of use involve playing with the hand, running, tackling and grazing in a restricted area, for example, the central square.