Defensive repercussions of the attack without a goalkeeper in European elite womens handball

Abstract

The objective of this research was to analyze the efficacy of the attack sequences performance using the goalkeeper-field player change and its consequences in the following defensive phase in the women´s handball elite. The observational methodology was used. The observational design was punctual, nomothetic and multidimensional.  The sample was 571 attack sequences from 50 matches from EHF Women´s Handball Champion League 2018-2019. An ad hoc observational instrument was developed that presents the combination of field format and category systems. The quality of data was tested by inter and intra observer agreement. The results highlight that the main reason why the rule that makes the goalkeeper-field player change possible was used was to maintain numerical equality after having suffered a disciplinary sanction, and to a less extent to generate 7x6 numerical superiority. The effectiveness presented the highest values when used to generate numerical superiority. The 6x6 numerical equality situations throw worse values in both shooting efficacy and lost balls. It is concluded that the teams assume a significant risk of receiving a goal quickly if the attack does not end in goal, since the immediate defensive consequences are directly related to the effectiveness in the attack phase.