The sport is sometimes known as Team Handball in North America to distinguish it from Court Handball, which is played on a squash court with rules similar to squash and played with gloved hands instead of squash racquets.Handball comes in a variety of guises from Field Handball which was played outdoor on a soccer sized field with soccer-sized goals, to the now popular Olympic Handball played indoor on a 40 m x 20 m court and to the recently introduced Beach Handball which is played on the sand at the beach on a 27 m x 12 m playing area, both of which have 3m by 2m goals.
The rules of handball are simple. There are 7 players per team: 6 court players and a goalie. The idea is to score more goals than your opposing team by throwing the ball into the goal. You may punch, throw, or even head the ball to a teammate. Touching the ball with your leg below the knee is not allowed. However, you are allowed to take 3 steps, dribble the ball and then have an extra 3 steps or up to 3 seconds to get rid of the ball. Court players are not allowed in the goal area.
The game is fast, dynamic and the players need to be fit and work for the team. The sport has a relatively rapid learning curve because the basic movements build on natural human movements such as jumping, running, throwing and the variations of these. These unique elements distinguish handball from all other physical exercises. Handball players need to be fit and skilled. The intensity of the game, the constant physical challenges will work the muscles, the central nervous system and the whole body. The goalkeepers need to be athletic, flexible, brave and have extremely quick reflexes.
Handball is also a game of tactics, strategies and problem solving. As any physical activity, it is performed and generated by thinking. A player has to – sometimes in strenuous situations – rapidly see, retain, estimate, conclude and act relevantly. Players must divide their attention to three different tasks: teammates activities, opponents’ activities and self-activities. Because of these tasks, Handball can be very beneficial both physically and mentally. As a team game it also plays an important role in developing social and interpersonal skills, which promote a healthy level of self-esteem. Winning the game depends on the offensive and defensive tactics and working together as a team. Players have to learn to cooperate with each other in order to win and must learn the rules of fair play, teamwork and how to carry themselves in a sportsmanlike fashion.
Handball is a challenging sport both mentally and physically and this is why it is a fascinating and attractive game! It keeps you fit, healthy. It promotes diverse tactics and strategies. It is a dynamic, fast and fun sport.
There’s something in it for everyone!
