Offside Trap Meaning in Handball

An offside trap is a defensive tactic used to stop an attacking player. Defenders move forward quickly to leave an attacker behind the defensive line illegally. In handball this usually refers to catching a pivot inside the goal area. The goal is to force a turnover by making the opponent commit a foul. This requires perfect timing and communication between all players in the defensive unit. The defense steps up together to catch the pivot inside the six meter. This move results in a goal throw for the goalkeeper and lost possession. Success depends on the defenders reading the eyes of the playmaker very carefully. If one player is too slow the entire trap fails to work correctly. Teams use this strategy to neutralize a dangerous player near the scoring zone.