First Authors: Olga &  David

Team Handball

Just like in an other sport, in team handball players are placed in positions that enchance their athletic abilities.  First of all, there are a total of seven players on the court per team. Six are players and one is the goalkeeper. 

 Offensive Player positions

 There are two wingmen, one circle runner or (pivot), two backcourt players, a centre and a goalkeeper.

• Centre Backcourt- field general of team 
• wingmen-  Are located on the left and right side of the court and run up and down the court on those sides. their role is to look to create openings.  They try to draw away the defenders to the sides to make openings in the middle.  They also try to jump and get a good shot from a bad angle. wingman are typically short and quick.

• Circle Runner (Pivot)-  They are strong and aggressive and hover among defenders.  The pivots also set picks and disrupt the defensive formations.  They also shoot hard and fast shoots form the six meter line. Last, the have free role in the court.^[1]

• Back court players-  The three back court players are usually the tallest strongest  throwers.  Their goal is to jump and throw.  They try to penetrate the line and jump and score.  If the back court players see an opening they try to work the  ball into the runner or go through the defense and take the shot themselves.  The center back court player generally leads the offense and calls out plays.  The right and left back court players are the ones good at long distance shoots.

• Goalkeeper-  The goal keeper obviously tries to keep the ball form entering the goal box or blocks the shoots.  The goalkeeper is the only player who can play the ball with his feet.  The goalkeeper can also run out of the goal area but he can not bring the ball out of the goal area.  The goalkeeper has to be brave with fast reflexes to block the shoots.^[2]

Offensive attaking players can transport the ball up court by passing or dribbling.  They can only shoot for a goal if they are outside the acred goal area and players are not allowed in this goal area.  However, players can jump into the arc goal area and shoot for a goal.

^[3]

Defensive Player Positions

There are also six players and one that serves as a goal keeper in defensive positions.

The tasks of the defensive players are the same as the offensive players they just have different names for the positions.

• Far Left      
  1. opponent of right wingmen                                                                        
• Far Right
  1. opponent of left wingmen
• Half Left
  1. opponent of right backcourt player
  2. keep opposing players in check
• Half Right
  1. opponent of left backcourt player
  2. keep opposing players in check
• Back center (left)
• Back Center (right)
  1. create openings
  2. gets into good scoring positions
  3. Both back center players are oponents of pivots.
• Front Center
  1. Center backcourt opponent

None of the players above are allowed to use methods of pulling, punching or hitting to get the ball away from the opponent.

The Blue are the defending players and the red are the attacking players.

^[4]

^[5]

NOTE:  Defensive positions block first and then create openings.