Skills (Mistakes) Evaluation 

Taken from: Handball Basics George Zafferano Sterling Publishing 1977.

Forwared by: From: Dan Dombrosky, Roanoke VA

The below information was compiled by the USHA at the request of THE COMMITTEE for improved play. The data gathered was by a USHA representative that was in attendance at a tournament.

Using a scale of 0 to 5 points, rate yourself against the 24 mistakes listed in the Checklist. If you commit a mistake frequently give yourself a zero. Occasionally is worth three points and rarely is worth five points. Re- evaluate yourself every few weeks to see if your total increases.

 Common Mistakes observed at USHA Tournament

2. Serves lack control, accuracy and effectiveness. Uses the serve merely as a vehicle to put the ball in play.

3. Dishes up disastrous second serve set-ups to eager and aggressive receivers.

4. Server's offensive game and court strategy ineffective, especially on the return of the served ball. Shows poor reaction to the receivers return of serve. Fails to keep the receiver on the defensive.

5. Server fails to kill off weak service returns. Lacks a one-two punch and "killer instinct"

6. Uses the offhand excessively, especially on the serve, when the strong hand would produce a better shot or make the point.

7. Hop serves not employed judiciously or cleverly. Receiver is not kept guessing and can anticipate hops.

8. Encroaches on partner's ball to make an inferior shot.

9. Does not back up partner or back up the play, resulting in an inferior shot by the partner.

10. Alternate placement shots not thought out in advance, resulting in haphazard and disjointed court and game strategy. Opponent is not kept guessing and on the defensive.

11. Shots lack control and accuracy, giving the opponent an easy opportunity to execute effective counter returns.

12. Attempted hop passing shots not hit in relation to an opponents court position, resulting in ineffective hop placements.

13. Quickly sizes up his opponent and displays an uncanny ability to anticipate shots and position himself favorably.

14. When on defense, fails to anticipate the type and direction of the serve. Shows poor reaction to straight or hopped serves, resulting in listless return shots.

15. Receiver defensive strategy ineffective. Returns fail to drive the server out of the front court area. Fails to keep the rival off balance.

16. When on defense, fails to anticipate the type and direction of shots during the rally in order to move quickly into the best possible position to return the ball.

17. Chooses wrong return shots, based on court position of the opponent.

18. Makes an incorrect decision. Plays the ball either on the first bounce instead of hitting a fly volley or fly kill or hits a fly volley when he shoul have waited for the bounce off of the side wall  or back wall.

19. Not opportunistic! Fails to take advantage of opponent's miscues. Plays too conservatively.

20. Fails to exploit rivals obvious weaknesses.

21. Fails to adapt and make quick adjustments to game plan during play. Fails to improve under fire. Should be a more "thinking" and innovative player. At times appears to be totally bewildered on the court.

22. Uses wrong stroke for specific shots. Radically incorrect.

23. Uses improper stroking position for specific shot selection.

24. Uses improper stroking position for specific shot selection. Displays unorthodox, error prone characteristics.

25. Fails to use a time out to gain strategic and psychological advantages (cooling off a rival's hot streak). Uses his time out injudiciously and lets rest periods help his opponent.