Former Handball Pro Shares His Personal Must-Know Metric for Coaches
Call it inside information, but a former pro handball player, who is now a strength and conditioning coach, says one metric seems to stand out when it comes to load management in handball.
Phillip Tandrup Holm transitioned from being a professional handball player to a pivotal role as the Strength and Conditioning Coach for Skjern Håndbold, a Danish handball club that plays in Denmark’s top division. Before assuming his coaching role, Holm collected data for another Danish men’s league team, while pursuing his master’s degree.
“We analyzed the distance covered during running acceleration to determine the levels of intensity — high or medium. The goal was to understand how these practice intensities correspond to those in actual matches,” he said.
What Makes Accumulated Acceleration Load So Important for Handball Players?
When dealing with high-ranking teams participating in European leagues like the Champions League, Holm says it can be advantageous to have an overview of the players’ external load.
“The accumulated acceleration load (AAL) sums up all the acceleration a player makes during practice or a game, giving (coaches) an idea of what they were doing on the field.”
He says you must also track the accumulated acceleration load of players who don’t get much time- it’s that important. In fact, some experts say it’s a “one size fits all” metric.
To learn more about accumulated acceleration load and what it’s about, download our guide by clicking the link below.
Handball Load Management is a Delicate Balance
But the story doesn’t end there. Coach Holm says accumulated acceleration load is only one piece of a sound load management plan.
“I’m not sure there’s one perfect measure because you need different metrics for different things,” he added. “And you have to look into some kind of load management, including the players that don’t play it that much, because they must get some extra meters running and some cutting drills, so they are ready when the coaches need them.”
Holm’s experience highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to training, regardless of playing time.
“When you have the data, you can see that his load has increased,” Coach Holm added.
To help handball coaches get started, we developed a guide that breaks down the top three metrics you should consider tracking to better manage the workloads of your players. Download it now by clicking the link below.
What Are The Three Metrics That Matter Most in Handball?
“You have to look into some kind of load management, including the players that don’t play it that much, because they must get some extra meters running and some cutting drills, so they are ready when the coaches need them.”
Phillip Tandrup Holm’s journey from player to Strength and Conditioning Coach exemplifies the importance of holistic approaches to training. By using a player tracking system for handball, he’s able to balance the workloads of his players and structure training weeks. He ensures that Skjern Håndbold’s players perform at their best while minimizing injury risks.
As handball continues to evolve, coaches like Holm will play a pivotal role in shaping the game’s future. If you’d like to learn more about KINEXON PERFORM IMU, the solution that Phillip Tandrup Holm used to innovate his coaching, contact us at any time.
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