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Lesson 4 - Shooting with Power and Accuracy

Foundation Skills & Tactics

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Year 8

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Handball

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Big Question

How can mastering anticipation and shooting technique transform your offensive game in handball?

Learning Objectives

Develop self-motivation, physical confidence and active engagement in handball activities
Anticipate play by reading opponents' movements and creating scoring opportunities
Execute powerful and accurate shots using proper technique and body positioning

Key Outcomes

Students will demonstrate sustained engagement and confidence throughout lesson activities
Students will successfully anticipate passes and movements in game situations
Students will shoot with improved power and accuracy using correct technique

Equipment & Resources Required

Handballs

1 per 2 students (15 balls)

Distributed in ball bag at centre of hall for easy access

Alternative: Soft foam balls, netballs, or size 4 footballs for shooting practice

Dodgeball

6-8 balls

Used for Boulders warm-up activity - placed with side throwers

Alternative: Bean bags, soft dodgeballs, or rolled-up socks

Bibs

30 bibs (2 colours minimum)

Organised in team sets for quick distribution

Alternative: Coloured bands, pinnies, or team identification markers

Dish Cones

40 spots/cones

Used for targets, goal areas, and movement markers throughout lesson

Alternative: Chalk marks, tape markers, or small cones

Game Balls

1 large ball

Placed at centre of square for Strike It activity

Alternative: Size 5 football, volleyball, or playground ball

Markers

4 sets

Set up at ends of playing areas with goalkeeper zones marked

Alternative: Benches, cones 3 metres apart, or wall markings

Whistles

Carried by teacher for game management

Alternative: Voice commands, hand signals

Stopwatch

For timing activities and three-second possession rule

Alternative: Phone timer, wall clock

Key Vocabulary

Anticipation

Reading the game ahead of time to predict where players or the ball will move

Shooting

Throwing the ball powerfully and accurately towards the goal to score

Power

The force and speed generated when releasing the ball towards goal

Accuracy

The precision of shot placement to hit specific target areas

Fake and Go

Deceiving a defender by pretending to move or pass one way before going another direction

Feinting

Making a deceptive movement to trick opponents about your intentions

Back Hand Pass

Passing the ball using the back of your hand whilst looking in a different direction

Consecutive Passes

A series of passes completed by the same team without interception

Interception

Reading the pass and moving to catch or deflect the ball before it reaches intended receiver

Sideways On

Body positioning at 90 degrees to opponent allowing vision of both ball and player

Skill Progression Pathway

Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going

Prior Learning

Basic handball passing techniques (javelin, bounce, chest pass)
Understanding of three-step rule and basic handball rules
Fundamental movement skills including running, dodging and throwing
Experience with invasion game concepts and spatial awareness

Current Skills

Advanced shooting technique with power and accuracy
Anticipation skills for reading play development
Fake and go movements to deceive defenders
Back hand passing for deceptive play
Combining movement, feinting and shooting in sequence

Next Steps

Advanced tactical play including set plays and formations
Defensive systems and pressing strategies
Tournament play with officiating responsibilities
Creating and executing team tactics

Milestone Indicators

Shoots consistently on target from 10 metres

Successfully anticipates opponent movements 70% of the time

Executes fake and go to beat defender in game situations

Demonstrates confident back hand passing with both hands

Shows sustained motivation and leadership throughout lesson

Key Teaching Points

Fake and go technique requires three distinct phases: convincing fake (arms extend), protection (ball to chest), explosive movement (inside leg step across). Each phase must be visible and deliberate.
Shooting power comes from whole body rotation not arm strength alone. Coach stepping with opposite foot, torso rotation, and wrist snap on release for maximum power.
Anticipation is reading body language before the action occurs. Watch shoulders, eyes, and weight distribution to predict movements and passes 1-2 seconds early.
Sideways body positioning when receiving provides dual vision: see the goal for shooting opportunities AND see the defender for protection. This is fundamental to advanced handball.
Back hand passing creates deception through misdirection - looking one way while passing another. The wrist flick with back of hand must be controlled and purposeful.
Consecutive passing requires constant movement into space after releasing the ball. Static players reduce passing options and make interceptions easy.
Three-step rule must be enforced consistently to develop proper dribbling habits. Count steps aloud initially to embed understanding before game application.

Common Misconceptions

Misconception: Power in shooting comes from throwing arm strength. Reality: Power is generated through stepping, body rotation, and coordinated full-body movement. Demonstrate weak arm-only throw versus powerful whole-body technique.
Misconception: Anticipation means reacting quickly to what happens. Reality: Anticipation is predicting what will happen before it occurs by reading body language and patterns. Practice watching shoulders and weight shifts.
Misconception: Fake movements should be subtle to avoid detection. Reality: Fakes must be exaggerated and convincing to genuinely deceive defenders. If defender doesn't react to fake, it wasn't convincing enough.
Misconception: You should watch the ball at all times in handball. Reality: Effective players use peripheral vision for the ball while watching opponents and space. Demonstrate split attention skills.
Misconception: Dribbling wastes time and you should always pass. Reality: Dribbling creates space, draws defenders, and enables driving to goal for shooting opportunities. It's a crucial attacking tool.
Misconception: Shooting accuracy means aiming for the centre of the goal. Reality: Accurate shooting targets corners and areas away from goalkeeper's reach. Discuss goalkeeper psychology and positioning.
Misconception: The three-step rule means you must take three steps. Reality: Three steps is the maximum allowed before bouncing. You can take zero, one, two, or three steps based on tactical situation.

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Short varied activities maintaining engagement (lesson structure supports this). Clear visible boundaries and court markings. Frequent specific positive feedback. Active roles throughout - minimal waiting time. Allow brief movement breaks if needed between sections. Use of timers to show activity duration. Positioning near teacher for focus support.

dyspraxia

Larger softer balls easier to catch and control. Reduced court/target distances. Additional practice time on fake and go sequence. Break skills into smaller steps with extra repetition. Use of bright floor markers for positioning cues. Peer demonstration and support. Celebrate effort and improvement over outcome. Consider alternative grips if standard technique difficult.

autism spectrum

Provide visual schedule showing lesson structure and timings. Clear consistent routines for each activity. Advance warning of transitions between sections. Quiet zone available if sensory overload occurs. Use visual cues and minimal verbal instructions. Simplified rules initially building complexity gradually. Predictable teams and groupings to reduce anxiety.

visual impairment

Use brightly coloured handballs and high-contrast bibs. Provide verbal descriptions of court layout and positioning. Establish clear audible signals and whistle commands. Buddy system with sighted partner for spatial orientation. Reduce court size for easier navigation. Use bells inside balls for audible tracking.

hearing impairment

Demonstrate all instructions visually with clear exaggerated movements. Use visual signals for start/stop (coloured cards or hand signals). Provide written instructions or diagrams on whiteboards. Face student when speaking for lip-reading. Ensure student positioned to see teacher and demonstrations. Buddy system for communicating instructions.

physical disability

Seated handball version using wheelchair or chair. Modify three-step rule allowing continuous ball holding. Larger lighter balls easier to handle. Smaller court area reducing movement demands. Allow two-handed shooting if needed. Adapted goalkeeper zone accessible for wheelchair. Peer support for movement assistance if appropriate.

Cross-Curricular Links

English

Communication during games using appropriate vocabulary, listening skills when receiving coaching, articulating technical concepts during peer assessment, discussing tactics and strategies with teammates, explaining big question responses clearly.

Maths

Angles of shots and passes, calculating shooting percentages and success rates, measuring court dimensions and distances, geometry of triangular passing patterns, timing activities using seconds and minutes, statistics of goals scored and conceded.

Science

Forces generated in throwing and shooting, trajectory and parabolic motion of ball flight, friction between ball and surface during dribbling, cardiovascular system response to exercise, muscle groups used in handball movements, energy transfer from body to ball.

Geography

Spatial awareness and positioning on court, direction and movement patterns, using court zones strategically, handball's global popularity and cultural significance, mapping movement of players during games.

PSHE

Teamwork and cooperation in invasion games, resilience when facing defensive pressure, managing competitive emotions appropriately, leadership through encouraging teammates, fair play and sporting integrity, self-motivation and confidence development.

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Stand at corner of hall or court area for maximum visibility of all activity zones. During games, position between multiple courts to observe all simultaneously. Move actively between groups during skill stations to provide individual coaching.

Observation Focus

Watch for: application of fake and go technique in games, shooting power and accuracy development, anticipation shown through early positioning and interceptions, sustained self-motivation and engagement across all students, sideways body positioning when receiving ball, safe technique preventing injuries.

Intervention Points

Step in immediately if: shots above head height, dangerous physical contact, students entering goalkeeper zones, three-step rule consistently broken, bullying or unsportsmanship behaviour, any student showing signs of distress or injury, technique so poor it risks injury.

Demonstration Notes

Demonstrate all key skills yourself or use competent student demonstrators: fake and go movement sequence (exaggerate each phase), powerful shooting technique (emphasise body rotation), back hand pass (show deception element), sideways receiving position (show vision advantage), anticipation cues (body language reading). Always demonstrate slowly first, then at game speed.

Verbal Cues

•'Sideways on - see the goal and your defender!'
•'Anticipate - watch their shoulders not their eyes!'
•'Fake and GO - make it explosive!'
•'Power from your body not just your arm!'
•'Below head height - safety first!'
•'Move after passing - find space!'
•'Three steps maximum before the bounce!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Full sports hall or outdoor hard court area minimum 30m x 20m. Multiple courts running simultaneously require larger space. Clear of obstacles and hazards.

Surface Check

Dry, even, non-slip surface essential for dynamic handball movements. Check for water, debris or trip hazards before starting. Indoor wooden or sports floor ideal; outdoor tarmac acceptable if dry.

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Check all handballs are properly inflated and in good condition
•Ensure soft balls for Boulders are genuinely soft - no hard balls
•Floor spots/cones must be flat with no sharp edges or raised sections
•Goals securely positioned and won't topple if struck
•Bibs in good condition without torn straps that could catch

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Ball strikes to face or head during throwing activities
•Collisions between students during high-speed games
•Slips and falls during dynamic movements and direction changes
•Goalkeeper injuries from powerful close-range shots
•Muscle strains from inadequate warm-up or overexertion
•Finger injuries from catching hard balls at speed

Risk Mitigation

•Enforce head-height shooting rule strictly throughout all games
•Underarm/rolling throws only during Boulders warm-up activity
•Clear court boundaries established preventing inter-court collisions
•Adequate spacing between activity areas and courts
•Goalkeeper zones enforced - no outfield players entering during shots
•Progressive skill building from controlled practice to game situations
•Comprehensive warm-up preparing muscles for explosive movements
•Cool-down and stretching reducing injury risk
•Immediate stop signals established and practiced
•Appropriate handball size for Year 8 (size 2) not adult balls

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position at corner of hall for maximum visibility of all courts
•Actively circulate between activity areas during skill development
•Monitor high-risk moments - shooting practice, game intensity, Boulders throws
•Watch for fatigue indicators and provide rest breaks as needed
•Ensure fair play and manage competitive intensity appropriately
•Quick intervention if unsafe play or techniques observed

Emergency Procedures

Immediate stop signal (whistle and raised hand). All students freeze and lower balls. Assess situation and provide appropriate first aid or summon support. Complete accident report form if injury occurs. Resume only when safe to do so.