Handball Havoc
A throwing and catching game to goals where the keeper changes all the time.
Throw and catch only, up to three steps with the ball; a disc-marked 3 m keeper zone sits in front of each goal.
Set up
- Place a pop-up goal at each end.
- Mark a 3 m keeper zone with discs in front of each goal.
4v4 (two games side by side if 12 or more); 25 m by 18 m per game.
How to play
- Teams pass by throwing and catching only.
- No running with the ball: take up to three steps, then throw.
- Score by throwing into the goal from outside the keeper zone.
- The last player to touch the ball before a goal becomes the new keeper.
- Keepers restart by throwing to a teammate.
- No snatching the ball from hands. Intercept passes only.
Keeping everyone moving
The keeper changes all the time, so nobody is stuck in goal and nobody waits.
Make it easier
- Allow bouncing the ball.
- A bigger area.
Make it harder
- Two-touch catch-and-throw.
- A keeper's throw must reach a teammate past halfway.
Three things to say
- Soft hands to catch.
- Step and throw.
- Move into space.
Words that work: "Great throw to start the attack!", "Brave catch!", "Nice, you found your friend!"
Colts habit
Lift each other by clapping the new keeper in.
Both feet
Throw with each hand.
Heads up
Look before you throw.
For your birth year
Pick a birth year to show the tweak for that group.
- 2020 to 2021
- 3v3, rolls only.
- 2018 to 2019
- 4v4, underarm.
- 2016 to 2017
- 4v4, overarm allowed.
Safety: No contact. Soft ball for the younger groups.
Keeping score: Each child counts their clean catches against last week.