What is Handball?

Handball is a fascinating game played throughout five continents by over 180 countries and 19 million people of all ages, worldwide. From the 1920s it was played outdoors, except in some northern countries, like Sweden, where the game was played in an indoor court. Indoor handball gained popularity in the 1930s and by the mid 1960’s playing outdoors on a large field came to a stop and indoor handball gained more interest among sports enthusiasts. During the 1939 Summer Olympics program outdoor handball was introduced, but since the 1972 Summer Olympics program it has become an indoor sport. Handball is a combination of Basketball, Soccer and Netball. It is played indoors on a court about the size of two basketball courts.

How to Play

The objective of the game is to throw the ball into the opponent's goal. Defenders may use their body to make contact with attackers to prevent them from having a clear shot at goal. Attackers attempt to break through the defense or shoot over the top of them to score a goal. Two teams compete with 6 court players and 1 goalkeeper playing per team at any one time. Substitutions can be made at any time. Each goal counts as 1 point and games regularly finish with teams having scored over 20 points.

The game is played on a court 40m long and 20m wide with 2m high and 3m wide nets at either end. The game consists of two 30-minute time periods with a 10-minute rest in between. All players alternate between an attacking position and a defending position, depending on who has possession of the ball. The ball is usually moved around the court by passing and dribbling however, as in basketball, you cannot double-dribble. Players can hold the ball for a maximum of three seconds before having to pass or dribble and take up to three steps while holding it.

If there is a penalty a player is warned. The next two penalties are two-minute suspensions. After that players can be disqualified (which means they are removed, but can be replaced after two minutes). They can also be excluded, which means they cannot be replaced and the team will have one less player on the court.

Goalkeepers stand in a 6m Goal area which only they may enter. Court players are not allowed to be in this area however they may leap into this area whilst shooting provided they shoot before they land. Goalkeepers can leave their goal area when not in possession of the ball and participate as a court player.

Each goal counts as 1 point. Usually 20 goals are scored in a game. The handball weighs 16 ounces (13 ounces for women) and is about the size of a cantaloupe.

There are four types of players:

Goalies: Defend goal. Not expected to stop as many goals as goalies in hockey or soccer.

Circle Runners: Large players who block shooters and try to disorganize the defense. They also are shooters, usually from close-in range.

Wings: They are offensive players who shoot at odd angles, usually from the sides.

Big Shooters: They are tall, agile players who much like quarterbacks lead the offense. They shoot from the backcourt over the head of defenders.

With physical contact, unlimited substitutions and shots at goal that can reach over 100 km/hour, handball is reputed as being the fastest ball sport. There is a great deal of physical contact and end-to-end action involving high jumps, powerful throws and spectacular agility, there is always something exciting happening on the field of play.

Reference: ct.spanish.com/legends/king/handball.htm, bathstudent.com/su sport/club/handball

Other Versions

Beach Handball is a rapidly developing sport that combines competition with leisure. Played on sand by teams of four, with four substitute players per team, the action on the small court is fast and at times furious. Extra points are awarded for particularly spectacular goals: for those scored in-flight, 360˚ spin shot, through a penalty or by a goalkeeper. Games go over two halves of 10 minutes each. There is always a winner in beach handball: a golden goal’ rule applies in a draw for the half; should each team win a half; the game is decided by a ‘shoot-out’: a field player going up against the goalkeeper. Beach handball has developed into a competitive sport and as such aims to enter the Summer Olympic Games. Beach Handball entered the official sports program of The World Games 2013 in Cali, Colombia for the first time (previously an invitational sport). The growing interest in this young sport can now be recognized all over Europe, South America, North Africa and Asia.

Mini Handball is a ball game for children. Handball rules and equipment are adapted so that children can understand, learn and enjoy the game. Playing this kind of handball, children ages 8-11 can exercise, improve their basic motor skills and coordination, which is just as important as the development of specific game concepts such as "team spirit" or "fair play." The game and experience should always be kept in the foreground, the results and achievement in the background. It is not adults' handball! Training and tactics should not be involved.

The two teams include 5-6 players (4-5 field players and a goalkeeper) depending on how practiced the children are, the length of the game depends on their age, but every player should be involved for roughly the same time (perhaps also in the goal).

Smaller Court: 20-24m long x 12-16m wide (e.g. 20 x 13m is exactly one third of the normal handball court).

Soft Ball: a ball with a circumference of 44-49cm, should be colorful, suitable for children, soft, not too heavy, must bounce well and be easy to grab to guarantee a "fear-free" game. Children should like it and not be afraid of it.

Mini Handball rules are made extremely simply to allow a teacher or coach (not a referee) to make fair and easy decisions which children can understand.

The general rules - ball handling, defending, attacking, scoring, etc. - are identical with the rules of Handball. The game should always be played in the spirit of fair play, but in case players behave unfairly, they will get substituted (not suspended) for two minutes.

Reference: bchandball.ca

Image courtesy of BCHandball.ca