The aim of the study is to investigate the effect an implementation of a 7th court player has
on the efficiency to score for teams of the German DKB Handball-Bundesliga. The study will fill
the gap in analyzing the changes following the amendment of rule 4:1 with the highest number of
cases (n= 2 336) of all studies published yet with a qualitative as well as quantitative
mixed-methods design. Moreover practical training and coaching implications will be discussed.
A measurement theoretical approach will be performed together with interference statistical
connections. The variable goal or no goal will be the dichotomous variable in a cross
sectional design. The sample consists of all DKB Handball-Bundesliga teams that were part of
the first league during the last 2 years since the amendment of rule 4:1. This led to 15 teams
having 2 years and 6 teams having 1 year of analysis due to relegation. Change of ball
possession was the category which defined a finished attack. An exception was made for 7m
penalties awarded in the respective player constellation.
