Offensive Transition

With 2 Pivot Players

4 Different Formations of Offensive

Transition With 2 Pivot Players

Formation Goals, Key Points

Advantages and
Dissadvantages
 TABLE OF
CONTENTS

 03  07  11

Introduction Formation 1 Formation 2
Pivots in positions Pivots in positions
1,2 & 5,6 2,3 & 4,5

 15  20  30

Formation 3 Formation 4 Conclusion
Pivots making Pivots in positions References
screen to each 1,2 & 4,5
other
INTRODUCTION
In this study we will analyze the offensive transition with two
Pivot Players, running to different positions on the 6m line,
depending on the team’s tactical game. Starting from the general
question “why we should run”, we will emphasize on the
importance of counterattack on modern handball and moreover
we will refer to the key points we should be aware of when we are
planning an offensive 4:2 transition game.
We will develop the procedure we need to take into
consideration, in order to create a balanced and effective
offensive transition and we will try to point out the main and
crucial factors, which influence the level of success of the 4:2
offensive transition. Moreover, there will be a presentation of 4
of the most usual formations, used by high level teams,
presenting the advantages and disadvantages of each one of
them.
In order to develop a balanced and effective offensive transition
we should always take into consideration the following basic
parameters:
1. Why to run – Is Fastbreak an effective offensive tactic for
scoring and a decisive factor of success?
2. Why to run in 4:2 formation – which are the advantages and
disadvantages of 4:2 formation?
3. How to run – how should we organize our team’s defensive
formation and counterattack tactic according to the
characteristics of our players?
4. Where to run – where should we place our pivot players to the
opposite defense, in order to take advantage of the
opponent’s disadvantages?
 Why to run / Why to run in 4:2

1. Why to run

There seems to be general agreement that the fast break is a decisive factor
of success. Therefore, statements like the following are very common in
handball literature:
“The successful, spectacular and quick mode of attack is the counter-
attack - which is the first attack attempt after gaining possession of the
ball when the defense is still disorganized”
(Marczinka, 1993. p. 220 ; Heinz Hausmann 2012).
“Due to its efficiency, the fast break should be used by every team aiming
at succeeding the highest levels of the sport ”(Calin, 2010).
Most studies point out its effectiveness in match results. It is one of the best
attacking tactics offered by coaches most of the time. The analysis of World
Cup Championship 2013 shows clearly that highly classified group 1
repeated both the tactics of fast break and the successful ones in a much
higher rate per game. These explain the low world classification of group 3
teams, which couldn’t win almost all of their matches.
(Hassan / Team Handball World Cup Championship 2013 - Analysis Study
JOURNAL OF HUMAN SPORT & EXERCISE)

2. Why to run in 4:2 formation

Nowadays, the 4:2 offensive transition is used more often by many top level
teams -clubs and national teams - because of the advantages it provides,
the most important of which are:
Two players running at the 6m line forcing the defense to run back to 6m
in a quick and effective way
Defense specialists – usually playing in the center of the defense -
running as Pivot Players in attack
Playmakers stay in the defensive formation, in position 1 or 6 and take
the first ball to organize the transition, ( e.g. RHEIN-NECKAR-LOWEN)
Easy transition from counterattack to set attack and defensive transition
when playing 7vs6 (e.g. F.C Porto).
 How to run

3. How to run in 4:2 formation

In order to answer this question we must take into consideration our

defensive formation and the defensive and attacking skills of our players, to
protect them from possible technical and tactical mistakes they might make
while running in high speed. For those reasons we must:
Choose a defensive formation which will “allow” us to have a quick and
effective transition to counterattack with two pivots, without reducing
the effectiveness of our defensive set plays
Choose the most efficient player to take the first ball and run the
transition. Usually he is a back player and some other teams are placing
their playmaker on defense position 1 or 6, especially when playing 5:1 or
3:2:1 with their wing player in the front line of the defense. Rarely the
wing player takes first ball from position 1 or 6, and usually he is an
experienced player, with creative role to the attacking systems of the
team. However, regardless the different versions, the player who takes
the first ball must have creative skills on identifying specific situations -
while running with the ball - such as extra attack players in one side of
the court and possible mismatch in the opponent’s defense.
Choose the most suitable 4:2 formation, according to the specific
offensive technical and tactical characteristics of our players such as 1vs1
back players isolation, 2vs2 back players cooperation with pivot, level of
decision making of back players on 3vs2 and 2vs1 situation, quality of
pivot players on taking advantage of possible mismatch and scoring
from positions 1 and 6 e.t.c.
 Where to run

4. Where to run

After we decide the defensive formation of our team, we have to take into
consideration the weaknesses of the opponent's defensive transition, in
order to choose where to place the 2 pivots and how to take advantage of the
free spaces or the possible mismatches. Some of the most crucial factors are
the following:
If the opponent team is changing one or more players from attack to
defense and in which positions
If the opponent team is pressing at the interspace or not
Slow returning from certain players because of low speed or bad
mentality
Weak defenders – usually at positions 1 and 6

"In order to create a successful offensive transition

you must be ready to answer the questions
How to run ? and Where to run ?"
 Formation 1 - Pivots in positions 1,2 and 5,6

Description

The specific formation is

one of the most
common, used by many
clubs and national teams
of different levels. The
main reason of its often
use, is that it provides
suitable conditions for
easy 2vs2 and 4vs3
situations, which can be
easily identified by
attackers (fig6). fig.6

" Danish national team playing offensive transition with two

pivots in positions 2,3 & 4,5"

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