Physical Fitness for Life

Background and Overview on Field Handball 

Field handball is considered the number two sport in the world. It originated in the early 1900’s in Europe. This fast-paced sport is gaining popularity throughout the world and is played by 39 million people in 159 different nations. 

Field handball is a mixture of flag football, basketball and soccer. The players have to advance the ball down the field by throwing it to a teammate to get it into the goal which is protected by a goalie. If the ball goes out of bounds or the player with the ball is tagged by an opposing team player, it goes to the other team. The players must not hold onto the ball for over five seconds. 

Field Set and /Drills: 

We have modified the game somewhat to fit our PE classes. 

1. Divide your group into 2 teams, like a soccer game with goalies on each end. The students will wear vests. 

2. Set up the field using the park soccer goals if available, or the flag poles we used in soccer (no more than six feet apart). 

• Make the field large enough for running. 

• About ten feet from each goal is the free throw line– that is where they  throw it to get a point. 

3. Use one of the soft (soccer/nerf) balls that you should have from nerf dodgeball, or whatever you find bounces/and is easiest to catch. You may have to try different ones to fit your group.  

4. Go over the rules before the start of each week’s session – it is important so that the kids know how the game is played and for those just joining in. 

5. Do a practice run – pick a group of six kids at a time and have them run up the field throwing and/or bouncing the ball back to one another, making sure that each student touches the ball at least once and the last person throws it into the goal. Then do the next group, etc. 

Basic Rules of Game: 

1. The game starts with a jump ball in the center of the field, like basketball.  Whoever gets the tip off runs with it, but must toss it to another person on  their team within 5 seconds (count out loud; one thousand 1, one thousand 2, etc.) The kids on the team can also count out loud. 

2. An example for when someone is tagged is; if a person on the red team  gets tagged, they must drop the ball immediately to the ground, (not throw) and there is a possession change, meaning only one of the players on the blue team can retrieve the ball. The two players in the exchange cannot retouch the ball – it has to be a different teammate on the blue team to retrieve it. This makes for more ball sharing and not having a tag war. 

3. When changing teams because of a foul, etc., it is taken out of bounds and tossed back in like basketball. 

4. If not using soccer goals, the ball must be thrown below flag height in  order for a free throw to be made. 

What players can’t do is: 

1. Hit, pull or punch the ball from the other trying to steal it from whoever is  holding the ball. This is a foul and the offended team member will get a  chance to get a free throw. Take them down to the goal at the designated 10 feet and let them try and throw it in. Only the goalie and the free thrower is involved. The rest of the team stands out of the way. The goalie will throw it back into the game to restart the play afterwards. 

2. The player with the ball cannot use the ball or their off-hand to defend  themselves. They can only utilize jukes and spin moves to keep the defender from tagging them. 

3. If they are tagged, or hold onto it for over 5 seconds, the ball goes to the  opposite team. 

4. The other team can block the ball with their body (almost like an  interception) and pick it up and run with it towards their goal, also within the 5 second rule. 

PreK Groups: 

• The kids can hold onto the ball longer. But coax them to throw it to their  teammate. 

• You can use your small soccer goals for them or cones. 

• They can kick the ball like soccer if they can’t figure it out! 

A rule to help with the instant tagging after an exchange. 

When the player on the blue team with the ball gets tagged, he and his entire team must take 5 steps back away from the ball before they can go after it again. Stepping away from the ball rather than a number count to resume, may help with the spacing in the game. 

It may also help to put students in certain positions similar to soccer to help with the spacing. You can have a group that's dedicated to scoring, the other group can stay back on defense, and the others mid field. You can also have students cover certain areas of the field like a "zone" to get rid of ball chasing cluster. Older groups can maybe try 1 on 1 coverage where they stick to defending 1 person while playing help defense when needed.