Olympic Handball

Handball is an Olympic sport played on a 20 x 40m indoor court with goals at each end. The ball is passed between team mates at high speed and attacking players use fast counter attacks and clever moves to overcome the defence and create opportunities to score. Only the goalkeeper is allowed in the 6m semicircle surrounding the goal.

The final confrontation between shooter and goal keeper adds to the dramatic outcome of an attack. Handball is reputed to be the fastest team ball sport. There is a great deal of physical contact and end-to-end action involving high jumps, powerful throws and spectacular agility.

The official International Handball Federation (IHF) rules are available for download here.

Here is some more detailed information on the size of the goals and the court markings.

Beach Handball

Beach Handball is now a well established worldwide phenomenon. It’s based on Handball, but is of course a bit different. Just like ‘Volleyball’ is different to ‘Beach Volleyball’.

The IHF Beach Handball Rules are the best way to explain how to play. Also a google search will provide many hits on Beach Handball.

In principle, you have smaller court, 12x27m, which provides for a 15m playing zone, with a rectangular 12mx6m goalkeepers zone at each end. The usual 2x3m goals are placed at each end of the court.

4-a-side teams, including goalkeeper and up to 4 subs, play 2x10min halves with a 5min break in between. You score 2 points if you score a ‘spectacular’ goal, such as an alley-oop goal. (catch the ball in mid-air and score before touching down).

Mini Handball

Mini Handball is a version of Handball with specific methodologies especially designed for coaching children. The IHF publishes a brochure Let's play Mini-Handball which is as a guide.