Teaching young players the secrets of successful handball in Australian rules football

Handball is one of two ways a player can legally dispose of a football in Australian rules football. Initially, it was used to get rid of the ball when the player was tackled and was unable to kick the ball. It was developed into an attack weapon during the 1950s by Geelong ruckman superstar Polly Farmer.

This article is not about technical handball skill, but rather is designed to advise the coach of youth players on the best way to use the handball effectively in both attacking and defensive situations.

It is important that from the beginning, young players should practice handballing with both hands equally. This can be accomplished by creating pairs of players in lines, two meters apart, handballing each other with alternating hands, and then gradually extending the distance between players to lengthen the ball by hand. This should be a regular practice activity. This activity allows players to touch the ball many times in a short time. Obviously, players must be taught to play the hand correctly. Players must also practice different types of handballs: the rocket handball and the one that rolls from one end to the other.

Once the handball warm-up is complete, simulate handball in a game-like situation. During these simulations, insist that the players do the following to improve their handball effectiveness.

Players must love the high soccer chest in front of their teammate. They must aim the ball into the space in front of their teammate, forcing the player to speed up to catch the ball. This will help that player avoid being tackled by an opponent.

The soccer ball should float in a slow circular motion to make it easy for the teammate to catch the ball.

The player with the ball must always turn towards the player they are shaking hands with.

The player taking the handball must follow the handball to recover a bad throw, guide the teammate receiving the ball, and/or receive a follow-up handball.

It is important that the player who wants the hand calls for the ball out loud and that the player making the hand acknowledges that call.

It is important to emphasize that players should never shake hands with a nearby player because they will be under pressure and likely to be tackled. It’s best to play hand-space in front of your closest teammate, forcing him away from the defender and after the ball. For these types of situations, teach your players to play handball so the ball rolls back and forth bouncing regularly to make it easier to pick up the ball.

Teach your players to deal an attacking hand at the first opportunity or not at all. In other words, “don’t telegraph it”, ie e. Let your opponent know that you want to play the hand.

Sometimes players will need to do defensive handball if they can’t kick or don’t have the support of a teammate. It is important that they play with their hand as far to the limit as possible and follow the ball and keep moving the ball forward while waiting for support from the team. The important advantage the player has here is that he knows where the ball is going and therefore he has “the jump” on his opponent to win the ball back.

All of these ideas can be simulated in practice exercises and mini-games. In particular, games of use involve hand playing, running, tackling, and herding in a restricted area, eg, the central plaza.