In a survey of 39 well-known coaches about the #7vs6 rule by Björn Pazen thirty coaches are in favour of a return to the old rule, four coaches want changes to the new rule, five want to keep the rule as it is. Daniel Kubes is one of those who criticize the seven versus six rule, in the interview he explains why. „I do not think that handball has had any increase in attractiveness, spectators or income from the seventh field player“, said the former winner of the Champions League who is coach of Czech national team and German HSG Nordhorn-Lingen.
In your opinion, did handball become more attractive as a result of the rule change towards the seventh field player?
– For me, handball was more attractive before, on this point the sport is difficult to improve. I see some actions that are attractive, but a lot that did not necessarily become more attractive.
Has the basic idea of handball changed as a result of this new rule?
-I think so, at least in some areas, not always, but sometimes, because the ide of handball is six attackers against six defenders. You can gain an advantage of space or time, if you regularly play in superiority – so it`s a change in the basic idea, if not a big one. In addition, the game without a goalkeeper is associated with a higher risk.
How have your style of play and your team“s playing system regarding goalkeeper, attack and defence changed as a result of this rule change?
– Coaches who do this cleverly can gain advantages and decide games. In big tournaments, you could see how many coaches use seven against six as a relevant variant, sometimes also successfully. With the Czech Republic, we only used this variant in situations when we had problems in attack and absolutely needed to score a goal.
Does this rule make weaker teams stronger – or does it tend to reward coaches who take a higher risk?
– I don`t think weaker teams do it better, it happens more because national players mature in their clubs, a change of rules doesn“t have much influence.
How do you see particularly the „empty-net-goals“ and their impact on handball?
– I don`t find it particularly attractive if five or six goals per game are scored into the empty net. There used to be goals like this once in a while, which was rather funny, but five, six times in a half is no longer attractive and not in the spirit of handball.
If you had the chance to do so, would you undo this rule change?
– Yes, because I do not think that handball has had any increase in attractiveness, spectators or income from the seventh field player.
