Tactical and technical training of handball players through the lens of activity theory

The purpose of the study is the scientific and theoretical substantiation of the tactical and technical training of handball players from the perspective of activity theory as an independent section in the theory and methodology of handball. Research methods: theoretical analysis and synthesis of literary sources, survey of coaches in the form of questionnaires. Research results and conclusions. It has been revealed that in the theory and methodology of handball there is a shift of focus towards the reflexive component of handball players' activities. The leading factor determining the effectiveness of game actions becomes intensive mental activity and sustained cognitive engagement of the players. The defining task in the development of handball methodology is the creation of a new generation of pedagogical technologies, which should take into account the age characteristics of athletes, the level of their psychomotor, physical, and intellectual development, using appropriate forms and methods of influence throughout years of training. At the core of such a modernized training system is a holistic understanding of the inseparable connection between the mental and motor processes of handball players. The theoretical and practical prerequisites are the development of new approaches to all structural components that shape the athletes' game activity, the foundation of which should be the development of modern tactical and technical didactics and its transformation into an independent section of study. According to the opinion of coaches with more than 10 years of experience, it is advisable to allocate, within the structure of the didactic process, the mastery of educational material on the technical and tactical training of athletes in team sports as a separate section called 'Tactical and Technical Training.' In the course of a scientific-theoretical analysis of the concepts of tactics and technique from the standpoint of the psychological and pedagogical theory of activity, their internal and external conditioning was identified, representing an inseparable unity in practical implementation. The established inseparable unity of tactics and technique allows for the consideration of their closely interconnected development, presenting the technological process as an independent section of sports training – tactical and technical training of handball players. Coaches' opinions were identified regarding the necessity of theoretically mastering material on the technique and tactics of the sport as a single section, 'Tactical and Technical Training'.