Introduction to Handball

Lessons

Primary 4 · Physical Education

Introduction to Handball

4 lessons

Lesson 3 of 4

Dribbling and the Three-Step Rule

15 min

Let's begin

Gatete catches the ball and races towards the goal: one, two, three, four, five steps... The whistle blows! "Too many steps!" calls the teacher, and the ball goes to the other team.

In handball you may not run as far as you like with the ball in your hands. Today you will learn the step rules, and how to dribble so you can keep moving with the ball.

Warm up: follow the leader

Jog in a line behind a leader. When the leader claps once, everyone changes direction. When the leader claps twice, everyone sprints for three steps, then jogs again. Finish with arm circles, wrist rolls and finger stretches.

The rules for the ball in your hands

Three steps: with the ball in your hands, you may take up to 3 steps.
Three seconds: you may hold the ball for up to 3 seconds.
Then you must pass, shoot or dribble.

Taking more steps than that is called travelling. The referee stops the game and gives the other team a free throw.

How to dribble

One hand: bounce the ball with one hand at a time.
Fingers, not palm: spread your fingers and push the ball down. Do not slap it.
Top of the ball only: your hand touches only the top of the ball. If your hand slides under the ball and carries it, that is against the rules.
Low and to the side: keep the ball at about waist height, a little in front of you and to the side.
Eyes up: look at your teammates, the defenders and the goal, not only at the ball.

After the dribble

When you catch the ball after dribbling, you get 3 more steps and 3 more seconds. Then you must pass or shoot. If you start to dribble again, that is a double dribble, and the other team gets a free throw.

Pass or dribble?

You may dribble for as long as you like, but a pass moves the ball much faster than any dribble. That is why good handball teams pass a lot, and dribble only when they need to, for example to move into space when nobody is free.

Games with little equipment

For dribbling you need a ball that bounces, on hard, flat ground. If your ball does not bounce, play the step-counting game and leave out the dribble.

Count the steps: work in pairs. Walk with the ball while your partner counts out loud: "One, two, three!" On three, pass it to your partner. Then try it jogging, then running.
Stone slalom relay: two teams in lines. Put five stones in a zigzag in front of each line. Dribble around the stones and back, catch the ball, then shoulder-pass it to the next player. The first team to finish with no travelling wins.

Cool down

Walk slowly, then stretch your legs and arms. Drink water, and wash your hands: the ball has been bouncing on the ground.

Warning

Stay safe

Play on dry, flat ground with no stones, glass or holes.
Keep your eyes up when you dribble, so you do not bump into anyone.
Tie your shoelaces tightly before you play.

Tip

Three steps, three seconds, then pass, shoot or bounce!

When you dribble, remember top of the ball, fingers, eyes up. And once you catch the ball again, your dribble is over.

✦

Try it yourself

Try each one first, then tap Show answer to check.

1

How many steps may you take with the ball in your hands?

Show answerHide answer

Answer: Up to 3.

2

Mutesi catches the ball and stands still, looking for a teammate. How long may she hold it?

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Answer: Up to 3 seconds.

3

Habimana dribbles, catches the ball, takes two steps and starts to dribble again. What is wrong?

Show answerHide answer

Answer: It is a double dribble. After he catches the ball, he must pass or shoot.

4

Which part of the ball should your hand touch when you dribble?

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Answer: Only the top.

5

Why do handball teams pass more than they dribble?

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Answer: A pass moves the ball much faster than a player can dribble it.

Quick check

What you learned today

With the ball in your hands: up to 3 steps and 3 seconds. Then pass, shoot or dribble.
Dribble with one hand on top of the ball, fingers spread, ball low, eyes up.
After you catch the ball again, you must pass or shoot. Dribbling again is a double dribble.

Sources and credits

Handball, by Wikipedia contributors, English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Facts (the three-step and three-second rules, travelling, dribbling with the hand on top of the ball, no carrying, the double dribble, and why passing is faster than dribbling) adapted and simplified by Ganzaa.
Schools Handball tournament at Kawanda SS (photo), by Samson Ssemakadde, Wikimedia Commons, CC0 1.0 (public domain), used unchanged.
Skill steps, games, diagrams, "Try it yourself" and the practice questions written by Ganzaa.

This lesson adapts CC BY-SA material and is shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

1Warm up: follow the leader

2The rules for the ball in your hands

3How to dribble

4After the dribble

5Pass or dribble?

6Games with little equipment

7Cool down

Try it yourself

Warm up: follow the leader

The rules for the ball in your hands

How to dribble

After the dribble

Pass or dribble?

Games with little equipment

Cool down