Defence
Handball defence: systems, shifting and cooperation
Draw 6-0, 5-1, 3-2-1 and 4-2 on a to-scale court, show how the block shifts and how step-outs and recoveries should look. Play the sequence so every defender sees their job.
A system for every game situation
Pick a base formation and build on it with the solutions the game demands.
- 6-0 with clear principles for arms, distance and shifting
- 5-1 and 3-2-1 with step-outs against the centre back and passing lanes closed
- 4-2 against strong nine-metre shooters
- 5+1 and temporary man-marking of a key player
Train the defence, don't just draw it
Turn every defensive picture into a drill: footwork, blocking, cooperation between centre and half defenders, and transition to the fast break after a turnover.
Goalkeeper and defence as a pair
Decide which zones the block leaves open and which the goalkeeper takes. Then follow up with save percentage per shooting zone in the analysis.
Frequently asked questions
- Which defensive systems can I draw?
- 6-0, 5-1, 3-2-1, 4-2 and offensive variants such as 3-3 — plus temporary solutions like 5+1 with a man-marker.
- Can I show how the defence should shift?
- Yes. Every defender gets their own path and the sequence plays back step by step, making shifting, stepping out and recovering clear.
- Does it work for youth defence?
- Yes. Start with simple principles like arms, distance and shifting in a 6-0 and build towards offensive systems when the group is ready.
- Can I measure whether the defence works?
- Tag the match in video analysis and compare goals conceded, forced turnovers and save percentage across different defensive formations.
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