Pre-sport games for introducing handball to children aged es 9 to 12: a playful approach within Sport for All

Authors

  • Elda Vázquez Corona Universidad de Granma. Bayamo, Cuba.
  • Helmer Antonio Méndez Infante Universidad de Granma. Bayamo, Cuba
  • Israel de Jesús Fonseca Aguilar Universidad de Granma. Bayamo, Cuba

Keywords:

handball; sports initiation; Sport for All; pre-sports games; evaluation; 9-12 years

Abstract

The research is part of the project "Sport for All and Local Human Development" and was conducted at the 4 de abril primary school of the Jesus Menendez school complex in Bayamo, with a sample of 136 fifth-grade students. The article examines pre-sport games applied to handball initiation in children aged 9 to 12 years, under the principles of the "Sport for All" movement. A playful approach based on modified pre-sports games is proposed, prioritizing participation, fun, and collective learning over competitive performance. Five games with specific rules adapted to the age group, a four-week progression plan, corrective exercises for common errors, and two evaluation instruments are presented. The objective is to provide Physical Education teachers with a practical and inclusive tool to promote adherence to sports practice.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

  • Elda Vázquez Corona, Universidad de Granma. Bayamo, Cuba.

    Profesora Auxiliar. Facultad de Cultura Física

  • Helmer Antonio Méndez Infante, Universidad de Granma. Bayamo, Cuba

    Profesor Titular. Doctor en Ciencias de la Cultura Física. Facultad de Cultura Física,

  • Israel de Jesús Fonseca Aguilar, Universidad de Granma. Bayamo, Cuba

    Profesor Titular. Doctor en Ciencias de la Cultura Física. Facultad de Cultura Física

References

Blázquez, D. (2017). La iniciación deportiva y el deporte escolar. INDE Publicaciones.

Brunßen, L., Haase, R. K., y Kastrup, V. (2026). Inclusive physical education and students with social, emotional, and behavioral difficulties: A systematic review. German Journal of Exercise and Sport Research. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12662-025-01069-2

Cagigal, J. M. (1979). Deporte, pedagogía y humanismo. INEF.

Camacho-Cardenosa, A., Camacho-Cardenosa, M., González-Custodio, A., Martínez-

Guardado, I., Olcina, G., y Brazo-Sayavera, J. (2018). Efectos del entrenamiento integrado en mini-balonmano sobre las habilidades motoras en escolares de 8-12 años. E-Balonmano.com: Revista de Ciencias del Deporte, 14(3), 131-140.

Diamond, A. (2000). Close interrelation of motor development and cognitive development and of the cerebellum and prefrontal cortex. Child Development, 71(1), 44-56.

Federación Española de Balonmano. (2020). Escuelas de balonmano: propuesta metodológica para la iniciación. RFEBM.

Gallahue, D. L., y Donnelly, F. C. (2007). Educación física y desarrollo infantil (3ª ed.). INDE Publicaciones.

Hernández Moreno, J. (2000). La iniciación a los deportes desde su estructura y dinámica. INDE Publicaciones.

Hinojosa-Torres, C., Espoz-Lazo, S., Farías-Valenzuela, C., y Barraza-Gómez, F. (2021). Estrategias didácticas y metodológicas del proceso de formación en el balonmano escolar: Una revisión sistemática. Journal of Sport and Health Research, 13, 1-14.

Li, X., et al. (2026). Dissociating encoding and post-encoding stages in cognitive-motor coordination across late childhood and young adulthood. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jecp.2026.106188

Ruiz Pérez, L. M. (2004). Desarrollo motor y actividades físicas. Gymnos.

Santos, K. N. dos, y Ferreira, R. K. A. (2026). Adapted sports, school Physical Education, and teacher training: An integrative review. Revista Ibero-Americana de Humanidades, Ciências e Educação, 12(6), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.51891/rease.v12i6.28570

Zhang, Y., et al. (2025). Reciprocal relationship between motor skills and executive functions in late childhood. Cognitive Development. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cogdev.2025.101170

Published

2026-10-07

How to Cite

Pre-sport games for introducing handball to children aged es 9 to 12: a playful approach within Sport for All. (2026). Revista científica Olimpia, 24(1), 140-157. https://revistas.udg.co.cu/index.php/olimpia/article/view/6083

Most read articles by the same author(s)

1 2 > >>