Abstract Aims:

To analyze the structuring elements of the defensive phase of beach handball based on the coaches' speeches.

Methods:

Five coaches of adult male and/or female teams that played the Beach Handball championship of Sao Paulo State were interviewed. For the analysis of the speeches, the Collective Subject Discourse method was used.

Results:

The defensive phase is structured from hierarchical aspects: numerical asymmetry (by the presence of the specialist player), defensive systems (influenced by the characteristics of the players of their own team and the opponents), and technical-tactical specific actions (defensive blocking, coverage, dissuading…). The numerical asymmetry and the defensive system are responsible for the choices of the technical-tactical actions.

Conclusion:

The defensive structuring elements are related in a hierarchical way, which provides a better understanding of beach handball by coaches and players.