Lohkopitoista

Lohkopitoista, often shortened to just "lohkopito", is a term originating from Finnish handball that describes a defensive strategy. It translates roughly to "block possession" or "block holding". The core idea behind lohkopitoista is for the defensive team to establish a compact, strong defensive structure that aims to prevent the attacking team from penetrating the central areas of the court, particularly around the goal.

Instead of actively chasing and pressing the ball carrier aggressively across the entire court, the defenders in a lohkopitoista setup prioritize maintaining their positional integrity. They form a "block" or a wall, forcing the offense to play primarily on the wings or from longer distances. The defenders within this block work together to deny passing lanes and shooting opportunities in the dangerous central zones.

This strategy is often employed when a team is facing a strong offensive side, or when they want to conserve energy and avoid committing too many players forward. It requires excellent communication and coordination among the defenders to ensure no gaps are created. While it can be effective in limiting the opponent's scoring chances, it can also leave more space on the flanks, which a skilled attacking team might exploit. The success of lohkopitoista depends heavily on the discipline and physical presence of the defensive players.