Handball: goalkeeping

Feinting transforms handball from a pure power game into an art form. The ability to convince defenders you're going one way while actually going another creates space, draws fouls, and generates high-quality shooting opportunities. Elite players use deception in every phase of attack.

Basic Feint Types

Foundation movements for deception:

Direction feint: Step one way, explode the other direction.

Shot fake: Begin shooting motion, then pass or drive.

Pass fake: Look to pass, then attack or shoot.

Body feint: Drop shoulder or shift weight to unbalance defender.

Breakthrough Moves

One-on-one techniques:

Double feint: Two consecutive direction changes.

Stop and go: Sudden deceleration then explosive acceleration.

Spin move: Pivot through contact to create shooting angle.

Step-back: Create separation for a jump shot.

Selling the Fake

Eyes: Look where you want defenders to think you're going.

Body commitment: Partial movements must look real.

Speed variation: Slow to fast transitions catch defenders off-guard.

Timing: Execute when defender is least balanced or most committed.

Combining Skills

Feint to pass: Draw defenders then find open teammates.

Feint to shoot: Create space for a clean look at goal.

Feint to draw foul: Defenders reaching often commit fouls.

Team combinations: Coordinate feints with screens and cuts.

Key Coaching Points

  • Effective feints require conviction - sell the fake
  • Practice feints at match speed, not slowly
  • Combine feints with explosive finishing moves
  • Read defender's balance and timing before executing
  • Develop multiple feint options to remain unpredictable

Drills for Feinting Development

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Keeper Circuit Training 615 go...

1. 10 meter running:<br /><br />Between 2 lines spaced 10 metres apart get your keepers to run 2 sets of 6 runs.<br /><br />You can mix this up by getting players to run a mixture of -<br />Forward runs, Backward runs, Sprints, Side-steps and Crossovers<br /><br /> 2. Flexibility - Straddle stretch:<br /><br />Stand upright with arms out to the side and touch your left foot with your right hand and your right foot with your left arm. Players should keep their arms and legs straight and bend and rotate their torso to touch their feet. Repeat 10 times on both sides. <br /><br />Stand upright with arms slightly in front and out to the side. Keepers must raise their feet to try and touch their hands. Left foot to left hand and right foot to right hand. Repeat 10 times on both sides.<br /><br />3. Improving Reactions<br /><br />Player A stands behind player B who sits on the floor. Player B puts their arms out wide at shoulder height. Player A drops the ball in front of B, who must catch the ball with their legs. Repeat 10 times and then swap roles.<br /><br />Place two benches on their sides, with the top side in-court on a small playing area (approx 3-5 meters). <br /><br />A tries to score with a tennis ball by getting their balls to hit the flat side of the bench. B must try to block as many balls as possible. A throws 30 balls and then players swap roles. Which keeper has the better record?<br /><br />4. Power<br /><br />Get players to lie on the floor on their back. In this position players must sit up and touch their left foot with their right hand and then touch their right foot with their left hand. Repeat 15 times on each side.<br /><br />Squat down low and walk like a frog for 15 meters. Repeat 3 times.<br /><br />Hampelmann (jumping jacks - raise arms and legs). Try to raise the leg you jump off as high as possible. Repeat 5 times for - Hampelmann left, squat jump, Hampelmann right.

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