Handball is one of two ways a player can legally dispose of a soccer ball in Australian football. Initially, it was used to get rid of the ball when the player was tackled and could not kick the ball. It was developed into an attack weapon during the 1950s by Geelong ruckman superstar Polly Farmer.

This article is not about the technical skill of handball, but is designed to advise the coach of youth players on the best way to use handball effectively in both offensive and defensive situations.

It is important that from the beginning, young players should also practice handball with both hands. This can be achieved by creating pairs of players in rows, two meters apart, doing handball with each other with alternating hands, and then gradually extending the distance between the players to lengthen the handball. This should be a regular practice activity. This activity allows players to handle soccer many times in a short time. Obviously, players must learn to do handball correctly. Players must also practice different types of handballs, rocket handball and end-to-end roll.

After the handball warm-up exercise is complete, simulate handball in a game-type situation. During these simulations, insist that players do the following to improve the effectiveness of their handball.

Players must point the football 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 the player avoid being tackled by an opponent.

The soccer ball should float in a slow looping motion to make it easier for the teammate to catch the ball.

The player with the ball should always turn to the player who is shaking hands.

The handball player must follow the handball to recover a bad delivery, guide the teammate who receives the ball and / or receive a follow-up handball.

It is important that the player who wants to play handball calls out loud for the ball and the handball player should acknowledge that call.

It is important to emphasize that players never owe handball to a nearby player because he will be under pressure and is likely to be tackled. It is best to hold your hand in space in front of your closest teammate by forcing him away from the defender and behind the ball. For this type of situation, teach your players to do handball so that the ball rolls from one end to the other and bounces regularly to make it easier to pick up the ball.

Teach your players to hit attacking handball at the first opportunity or to give nothing. In other words “don’t wire it” I. e. let the opponent know that you want to play handball.

Sometimes players will need to make a defensive hand if they can’t kick or don’t have the support of a teammate. It is important that they practice handball as far as possible towards the limit and follow the handball and keep moving the ball forward while waiting for the support of the team. The major advantage the player has here is that the player knows where the football is going and therefore has “the leap” over his opponent to gather the football.

All of these ideas can be simulated in practice exercises and mini-games. In particular, the games of use involve doing handball, running, as well as tackling and herding in a restricted area, for example, the central plaza.