Effect of opposition and effectiveness of throwing from first and second line in male elite handball during competition

The goalkeeper and defensive player’s degree of opposition could influence throwing velocity and thereby success of scoring goals. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the influence of opposition and contact on throwing velocity and effectiveness in elite team handball players from first and second offensive lines. Throwing velocity from 2893 throws carried out in 47 matches during the Men’s World Handball Championship were analysed. A higher throwing velocity was obtained with opposition and no contact situations. In the comparison between the first and second offensive line players, the same results were obtained in relation to the higher throw speed. Significant relationships were found between the attack effectiveness and the type of opposition and contact. Throws carried out with no opposition either with or without contact are those that more likely end in a goal, while opposition without and with contact decreases the effectiveness in scoring goals. Concerning playing positions, both first and second line showed this significant relationship between attack effectiveness and the type of opposition and contact. It was concluded that opposition and defensive contact have a negative and significant effect on the scoring efficacy. Defensive contact is a determining factor causing a significant decrease on throwing velocity