Researchers from the University of Tsukuba have discovered that a newly designed ball, made with a small and easy-to-grip material for U15 girls’ handball, has significantly enhanced attack efficiency when compared to the traditional ball. However, the findings also showed a decrease in the save rate among goalkeepers, highlighting the necessity for improved technical and tactical training for these players.
Researchers at University of Tsukuba have discovered that a newly designed ball made with a small, easy-to-grip material for U15 girls’ handball has significantly enhanced attack efficiency compared to the traditional ball. Yet, the decrease in goalkeeper save rates underscores the need for better technical and tactical training for goalkeepers.
In handball, the ability to grip the ball effectively is vital for players. To enhance their grip, many players use resin on their fingers. However, due to hygiene concerns, the use of resin is often not allowed in many gymnasiums. In response to this, the International Handball Federation created a new ball with improved grip features, making resin unnecessary. In 2020, the Japan Handball Association further modified the rules for U15 girls’ competitions by introducing an even smaller and lighter ball.
This research examined how these changes affected players’ performance. The findings indicated that the new ball enabled backcourt players to take more powerful long-range shots (made in situations where defenders stand between the shooter and the goalkeeper), leading to the implementation of deeper and more proactive defensive strategies to counter these backcourt threats.
Additionally, the study found that players’ shooting control improved, and they became more likely to target the upper sections of the goal. Nevertheless, the lower save rate for goalkeepers suggests an urgent need for targeted technical and tactical training, particularly for dealing with shots aimed at the upper portion of the goal.
This research received support from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (22K17691).
