The Prospects of Integrating Volleyball and Handball into the Modern Physical Education of Secondary School Students

At the moment, the system of general secondary education in Ukraine is in a state of reform, optimization and possible improvement. Since 2017, the concept of "New Ukrainian School" has been introduced, in the context of which a number of systemic changes have been made to the educational process, including the organization of the physical education process. Thus, the key features are a competency-based approach to physical education and stimulating the interests of children and youth in an active lifestyle.The article examines the potential integration of volleyball and handball in the physical education curriculum of general secondary education institutions within the framework of the "New Ukrainian School" concept. The study emphasizes a competency-based approach and the importance of engaging students in an active lifestyle. Research confirms the positive impact of these sports on students' physical development, including improvements in somatic parameters, explosive strength, cardiovascular function, and respiratory efficiency. An experimental study was conducted with 30 students (18 boys and 12 girls) aged 12–14 years. The participants completed two tests: a volleyball overhead pass targeting a basketball hoop and a handball standing throw aimed at a designated circle. The collected data were statistically analyzed using the Shapiro-Wilk test to confirm data normality, followed by Pearson’s correlation analysis. The results showed a significant positive correlation between the mastery of volleyball passing techniques and the effectiveness of handball throwing skills. This suggests that training motor coordination and speed-strength abilities in one sport can facilitate skill acquisition in the other. The study concludes that integrating volleyball and handball into the physical education curriculum can enhance students' motor skills, physical fitness, and competitive engagement. Additionally, this approach contributes to developing students' communicative competence, aligning with the objectives of the "New Ukrainian School" initiative. The authors highlight the need for further research to refine methodological strategies for the effective integration of these sports into school programs.