Introduction to Handball

Lessons

Primary 4 · Physical Education

Introduction to Handball

4 lessons

Lesson 2 of 4

Shooting at Goal

15 min

Let's begin

Ishimwe runs towards the goal and throws the ball as hard as she can... straight into the goalkeeper's hands. "What a strong throw!" says the teacher. "Now add aim."

A good shot is not only strong. It goes where the goalkeeper is not. Today you will learn two handball shots, and where to aim them.

Warm up first

Jog, skip and side-step around the court. Do 10 small jumps on the spot, landing softly with bent knees. Swing your arms in big circles, then make gentle shoulder passes with a partner, moving a little further apart each time.

The goal and the goal area

A handball goal is 3 metres wide and 2 metres high. Around it is the goal area, marked by a line 6 metres from the goal. Only the goalkeeper may stand inside it, so you must shoot from outside the line.

The standing shot

It starts just like the shoulder pass, but with more power.

Side-on, with your opposite foot in front.
Ball high and back, behind your head, with your elbow up.
Eyes on the corner you want to hit.
Step and turn: step forward and turn your hips and shoulders towards the goal.
Whip and snap: whip your arm through and snap your wrist down as you let go. Follow through towards the goal.

The jump shot

Jumping lets you throw from higher up, over the defenders' arms.

Run in with the ball. You may take up to 3 steps while you hold it. You will learn more about this rule in the next lesson.
Take off from the opposite foot: if you throw with your right hand, jump from your left foot. Left-handers jump from the right foot.
Jump up, and bring the ball back behind your head.
Throw at the top of your jump, before you land.
Land softly on both feet, with bent knees.

You may jump from outside the goal-area line and land inside it, but only if the ball has already left your hand before you land.

Where to aim

The goalkeeper stands in the middle of the goal, so the middle is the easiest place to save. Aim for the corners: the two top corners and the two low corners. Aim first, then add power.

Games with little equipment

No goal? Draw one with chalk on a wall, or put two stones 3 metres apart (about four big steps). For a younger class, make it smaller.
Corner circles: draw a chalk circle in each corner of a goal on a wall. Shoot from behind a chalk line 6 metres away. A shot inside a circle scores 2 points, and any other shot inside the goal scores 1.
Shooter and keeper: groups of four, with one goalkeeper and three shooters. Each shooter takes 3 shots from outside a chalk goal-area line, then someone new goes in goal.

Cool down

Walk slowly for a minute. Stretch your throwing arm across your chest, then stretch your legs. Drink some water.

Warning

Stay safe

Only shoot when the goalkeeper says "Ready!"
Never aim at the goalkeeper's head. In real handball, a throw that hits the goalkeeper's head can be punished, sometimes even with a red card.
Nobody stands behind the goal during shooting practice.
For jump shots, land softly on both feet, on dry ground. Never jump on a wet or slippery floor.

Tip

Ball high, step, whip, snap!

And before every shot, ask yourself: Where is the goalkeeper? Then aim for a corner, far from the goalkeeper's hands.

✦

Try it yourself

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

1

How wide and how high is a handball goal?

Show answerHide answer

Answer: 3 metres wide and 2 metres high.

2

Niyonzima throws with his right hand. Which foot should he jump from for a jump shot?

Show answerHide answer

Answer: His left foot, the opposite foot.

3

The goalkeeper is standing in the middle of the goal. Where should you aim?

Show answerHide answer

Answer: At a corner, far from the goalkeeper's hands.

4

Umutoni stands inside the goal area and shoots. Is that allowed?

Show answerHide answer

Answer: No. Only the goalkeeper may stand in the goal area. She must shoot from outside the line, or jump from outside it and let go of the ball before she lands.

Quick check

Match each part of handball to its size.

Tap one on the left, then its partner on the right.

What you learned today

A handball goal is 3 metres wide and 2 metres high. Only the goalkeeper may stand in the goal area.
Standing shot: side-on, ball high, step and turn, whip and snap. Jump shot: take off from the opposite foot and throw before you land.
Aim for the corners, far from the goalkeeper.

Sources and credits

Handball, by Wikipedia contributors, English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Facts (the size of the goal, the 6-metre goal area where only the goalkeeper may stand, jumping into the goal area, and the rule about hitting the goalkeeper's head) adapted and simplified by Ganzaa.
2026 Secondary schools handball championships (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 first

2The goal and the goal area

3The standing shot

4The jump shot

5Where to aim

6Games with little equipment

7Cool down

Try it yourself

Warm up first

The goal and the goal area

The standing shot

The jump shot

Where to aim

Games with little equipment

Cool down