Training of offensive defense systems in youth handball: 1-on-1, small groups, man coverage, and offensive defense cooperation

Offensive defense systems are one of the basic elements of youth handball - through creation of large spaces in width and depth, they promote the individual players' development both as offense and defense players. In the first place, offensive man coverage should be practiced. Through clear, fixed coverage of their respective opponent, the defense players have a well-defined responsibility which may result in the development of their individual defense play. In small groups, the players practice how to interact with and support each other step by step before they learn how to play the first variants of a two-line zone defense (1-5 and 3-3 defense systems).The exercises in this collection teach the basics of offensive defense play, with defending against the player in ball possession both by stealing the ball and 1-on-1, defending against players without a ball and shielding off the pivot, moving along with the opponent, and anticipatory defense play with interrupting passes and stealing the ball.The second part of the collection deals with cooperation in small groups in order to defend against positional changes of the attacking players in the width and with a two-line defense play against back players and the pivot(s).The last exercises consist of a drill series dealing with offensive man coverage and moving back to ball level as well as 1-5 and 3-3 defense systems before finally a more defensive, 3-2-1 defense system is introduced.Category: Individual basics1. Preparatory games and exercises 2. Stealing the ball 1-on-13. Offensive 1-on-1 defense4. Catching and stealing the ball5. Defense against the pivot in offensive defense systems6. Defense against the second pivot in offensive defense systemsCategory: Small group defense1. Cooperation across the width of the defense zone2. Cooperation throughout the depth of the defense zoneCategory: Team defense and offensive defense cooperation1. Offensive man coverage with moving back to ball level2. Defending in a 1-5 defense system3. Defending in a 3-3 defense system4. Defending in a 3-2-1 defense system