Junior physical training and children's running
At what age can a young handball player start physical training? From the first licenses, as long as the focus is on running, coordination, and body weight rather than on weights.
This page outfits juniors for their jogs, athletics, and training sessions: running shoes, training clothing, and jackets, in children's sizes.
Preparing a young player without overwhelming them
For children, physical fitness is built through play. Relay races, jumps, side steps, and bodyweight exercises are enough to develop speed, balance, and coordination. Heavy weights should wait until after growth is complete. The most important thing is variety and enjoyment, so the young player stays keen to train.
Children's running shoes: what matters
For jogging and athletics, a child needs a lightweight shoe that is flexible at the front and has enough cushioning. The Runfalcon from adidas is prominently featured at the top of the page, available in lace-up or elastic closure versions, which are practical for the little ones. Keep about a centimetre of space in front of the toes and check the shoe size multiple times throughout the year.
T-shirts, jackets, leggings: junior sportswear
Training textiles should dry quickly and allow for movement. Polyester t-shirts and tops wick sweat away better than cotton. A tracksuit jacket keeps the child warm during warm-ups and travel. Shorts, leggings, and fitted shorts complete the outfit according to the season. Hummel offers its Blaze Pro training t-shirt in children's sizes.
Brands for junior physical fitness
Each brand has its own page for quicker access. The page adidas junior brings together running shoes and sportswear for kids. The page Mizuno junior offers textile and shoes from the Japanese brand. The page Joma junior features a wide range of training textiles. On Craft junior, you can find the running textiles from the Swedish brand, and the page Reebok junior completes the selection.
Hummel, adidas, Mizuno: who outfits the young players
- Hummel dresses young handball players with its training textiles, like the Blaze Pro t-shirt.
- adidas provides footwear with the Runfalcon and offers Tensaur sneakers for school.
- Mizuno, the textile partner of the LNH, supplies textiles and shoes in children's sizes.
- Erima, a German collective sports brand, offers training outfits.
- Joma completes the range with its running and team textiles.
Outfitting a junior without breaking the bank
Children grow fast, so good deals are timely. First, check the junior clearance page, then the special offers for physical fitness. During major sales periods, go to the Black Friday junior and then to the junior sales.
Frequently asked questions
Can a child do weight training for handball?
They can do bodyweight strengthening: planks, squats, adapted push-ups, jumps. Heavy weights should be avoided until growth is complete. A qualified coach will know how to scale according to age.
How often can a junior run each week?
One to two short sessions in addition to training are enough. It's best to mix it up with running games and relays. If the child complains of knee or heel pain, let them rest and seek advice.
What size of clothing should you choose for a growing child?
Focus on their height rather than age and compare it to the product size guide. One size up gives some room, but a t-shirt that’s too loose hinders movement. For a jacket, it’s easier to accept some extra space.
Are junior running shoes also usable indoors?
Not really. Their sole isn't designed for lateral movements in handball and may mark the floor. Get an indoor shoe for the gym and keep these for running.
How to motivate a child to do their physical preparation?
Turn exercises into games: time trials, challenges, courses, relays with multiple participants. Wearing an outfit that they have chosen themselves also helps. The goal is to move often, not to replicate an adult session.
