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Practice games

Handball Havoc

A throwing and catching game to goals where the keeper changes on the whistle every 90 seconds.

Game 15 min 6 to 16 players Cage Half pitch Hall 2016 to 2020

Everyone's a Keeper Lift each other

At a glance

  • 4v4 including a keeper each, a pop-up goal at each end, and a 3 m keeper zone marked with discs in front of each goal.
  • Pass by throwing and catching only: up to three steps with the ball, then throw. No snatching from hands.
  • Score by throwing into the goal from outside the zone, which only keepers may enter. The keeper restarts with a throw to a teammate.
  • Every 90 seconds, whistle: a new keeper on each team, always a child who would like a go.
  • Progress 1: Catch and throw straight away, no steps with the ball.
  • Progress 2: Keep that, and the keeper's throw must reach a teammate past halfway.

If it's not working: Let children bounce the ball as they move.

Handball Havoc: set-upkeeper zoneGKGK1231 throw, 2 catch, 3 score from outside the zone.18 m by 25 m
  • one team
  • other team
  • GKkeepers
  • throw or roll
  • 1in this order

The attack throws and catches its way up the pitch, then scores with a throw from outside the 3 m keeper zone, which is marked with discs in front of each goal. Only keepers go in the zone, and keepers change on the coach's whistle every 90 seconds, to a child who would like a go. 4v4 including the keepers: all eight children shown.

Full details: set up, how to play, tips and age tweaks

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

  • Play 4v4 including a keeper on each team.
  • 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. Only keepers go in the zone.
  • Change keepers on the coach's whistle every 90 seconds, never because of a score, and only for a child who would like a go.
  • Keepers restart by throwing to a teammate.
  • No snatching the ball from hands. Intercept passes only.

Keeping everyone moving

The keeper changes on the whistle every 90 seconds, so nobody is stuck in goal and nobody waits.

Make it easier

  • Let children bounce the ball as they move.
  • Use a bigger area.

Make it harder, step by step

  1. Catch and throw straight away, no steps with the ball.
  2. Keep that, and the 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, and no keepers: roll it into the goal from outside the zone.
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.