Handball - Lesson 2

The second lesson in the Year 6 Handball series focuses on developing pupils' defensive skills and applying these in a small-sided game. The lesson starts with a warm-up called 'Piggy In the Middle', where pupils are grouped into fours, passing the ball around with one individual in the centre attempting to intercept. This activity emphasises the importance of a strong defensive stance, quick footwork, and constant vigilance over the ball and other players. Key vocabulary such as dribble, shoot, intercept, pass, and block are introduced, and pupils are encouraged to discuss qualities that make an effective defender.

During the main section of the lesson, which lasts for 30 minutes, pupils play 'Bull in the Ring', a game designed to enhance their defensive capabilities. They work in groups, with the objective of keeping the ball away from the central player. Variations are introduced to increase the challenge, such as using the weaker hand for passing or setting a target of 15 passes in 60 seconds. The lesson progresses to a competitive small-sided game where two teams, blue and red, aim to get the ball into the other team's end zone, switching roles between attackers and defenders as possession changes. The lesson concludes with a 10-minute cool-down involving gentle jogging, stretching, and balance exercises, reinforcing the importance of physical recovery and flexibility in handball.