Handball Game: Its History, Rules, Court, Ball, Facts- All You Need To Know

The sport of Handball, variously known as “team hand ball,” “Olympic handball,” “European handball,” and “Borden ball,” is a game played between two teams of seven players (six players plus a goalie) compete against one another. The six players pass the ball to one another and attempt to hurl it into the other team’s goalpost. The play is divided into two 30-minute Halves.

The side that scores the most goals is the winner. The game is typically played inside, although there are certain variations that allow the game to be played outside as well. Field handball and Czech handball are the two types of the game (which is also called sandball). The game draws a large number of individuals since it is fast-paced and incorporates physical contact. Because of the narrow court, goal-scoring occurs often and in large quantities, which keeps the spectators enthralled. In a match, the average goal total is around 20 goals per game, however, there have been games with as many as 30 goals in the past.

History of Handball Sport

The game arose in the northern areas of Europe, notably in Germany and Scandinavia, around the end of the nineteenth century. However, the contemporary sport of handball was created in 1917 in Germany, and it has undergone numerous changes since then. The very first International game for men was played in 1925, while the first-ever International Handball game for women was played in 1930. The game had its Summer Olympics in the 1936 Berlin games and then made a reappearance in the 1972 Munich games, which were also held in Germany. The first was held outside, while the second was held indoors. The 1976 Montreal games saw the addition of a women’s version of the game.

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Handball Federation

The game is governed by the International Handball Federation, which was founded in 1947 and now has 174 members. Since 1938, every continental European team has won at least one Olympic medal, making it extremely popular in those regions of the world.

Know the Game: Handball

The game’s past may be traced back to medieval times, but it was in Denmark in 1906 that the first modern regulations were developed. The game is extremely popular in Northern and Eastern Europe, but it is also played worldwide.

The International Handball Federation is the game’s regulating organization, and it also hosts the World Championships. In today’s globe, there are estimated to be approximately 19 million handball players.

The game has usually been played inside, although there have been outdoor versions such as field handball and beach hand ball (also known as sandball).

The objective of the Handball Game

It is a sport in which the goal is to score more points than your opponent. A regular team plays 60 minutes. This is divided into two 30-minute sessions separated by a 15-minute break. The session length might be decreased to 20 minutes for younger players.

Scoring

A goal is scored when the ball is thrown into the opponent’s goal.

Winning the Game

To win in a game you must score more than your opponent team.

If the match is drawn then overtime is given to the playing teams (with a maximum of 25 minutes). If the scores are still level, a shoot-out is used to determine the winner of the game.

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Players & Equipment

The games usually have seven members on each team, six outfield players, and one goalkeeper. A team will also have seven replacements, who can be used at any point without informing the official.

The crease or zone is a semi-circle that surrounds each goal area. A dashed semi-circle line that extends 9 meters from the goal marks the free-throw line.

Handball Ball

The handball ball must be made of leather or synthetic material, and it must be tiny enough to fit in the palm of a player’s hand. The ball may be contested in three different sizes as a result of this. One with a circumference of 50-52 cm for persons above the age of eight, and II with a circumference of 54-56 cm for women and men aged 12 to 16, and a III with a circumference of 58-60 cm for males aged 16 and up.

A court, two goals, and a ball is used to play hand ball. Teams will wear uniforms in official games.

Handball Rules

• A match consists of two 30-minute halves.
• Each team has seven players: a goalie and six outfielders.
• Outfielders may use any portion of their body above the knee to contact the ball.
• Once a player gains possession, he or she can pass, keep possession, or shoot.
• If a player has possession, he or she can dribble or take three steps without dribbling for up to three seconds.
• Only the goalie is permitted to encounter the goal area’s floor.
• Goalkeepers are permitted to leave the goal area but must not maintain control if they do so.

Handball Court

What is the handball court size?

Some Interesting Facts about Handball Sport

• There are two sorts of officials: court refs and goal-line referees.
• Beach handball sport is getting more popular as more nations participate, and it is expected to replace indoor games in the coming years.
• The size and softness of the ball vary in men’s, women’s, and children’s fun games.
• The game is claimed to have originated in ancient Greece.
• Despite its lack of popularity outside of Europe, it is claimed to be the second most popular sport in the world, behind football.
• The player can only keep the ball for three seconds.
• The first international game for men was played in 1925 between Germany and Belgium, while the first international game for women was played in 1930 between team handball Germany and Austria.
• It is thought to be the second-fastest game on the planet, after ice hockey.
•  Johan Pettersson, a Swedish handball player, nearly died when he collided with the goalie during a game in 2002, during which he lost a few of teeth and nearly swallowed his tongue.