Photo of the Day: Handball!
05/27/2008 3:21 PM by Kyle Sheldon

In addition to playing a little full field 11v11 in today's training session, the guys also participated in a competitive (very competitive) game of team handball. The photo above fully captures the joy, passion and passing ability that were on display at the RFK Training Fields this morning. Team Red went up early, but Team Yellow came from behind to win 3-2 on a goal by Marc Burch (goals are scored by heading the ball out of the air and into the back of the net).
The South Americans clearly did not play as many games with their hands growing up as some of the young americans... Ben Olsen took to calling Marcelo Gallardo 'Ginobli,' during the game - a reference to the stud Argentine currently in the Western Conference Finals with the Spurs.
Comments
6 Comments
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05/27/2008 4:56 PM by TCompton
Aside from the obvious heading element of "Team Handball," what other skills does it develop?
05/27/2008 5:13 PM by Kyle Sheldon
Well, I don't pretend to be a coach or expert on team handball.. but, it's often just used as another (fun) way to warm-up. If you chose to do so, though, you could work on movement off the ball, positioning and communication.. in this case, it was just used as something to get the legs moving prior to the scrimmage.
05/27/2008 6:15 PM by stewartdc8
Kyle's right, our coach used to do this with us. It's a fun change of pace, but also helps with possession, movement and looking up to see who is open to pass to.
Very fun.
Is Ben Olsen doing a no-look pass there? lol
05/27/2008 6:39 PM by dogboy
It also gives you the understanding of the other players, where they will go. It's at a less pace and physicality, but it also grants the teams a better understanding of the other's play.
You ever play a scrimage or game and lay out a pass in the open expecting the other player to run to the ball, only to find out that the person who's in the offensive half likes to have the ball placed right at their feet?
Yeah, that's what it works on. Less head down work and more watching for the players. :)
05/27/2008 9:08 PM by SEKim
Nice to see Olsen out training with the rest of the team.
K
05/28/2008 2:17 AM by BBBulldog
using hand in football is a usefull skill if you're from Argentina :D