Handball

What is handball?

¨  A team sport played with 7 players on each team. The object of the game is to score a goal by passing the ball and throwing it into the opponents goal. The team with the most goals wins.

A little history

¨  Middle Ages?

¡  It is said that the game may have developed from similar games played in France and Greenland

¨  19^th Century

¡  In 1897 a Danish gym teacher, Rasmus Nicolai Ernst  made the rules

The rules

¨  Each player may only hold the ball for 3 seconds

¨  Each player may take only 3 steps in between each dribble

¨  Each player has 3 seconds to pass or shoot

¨  The only player allowed within the goal line is the goal keeper

¨  The ball may be touched by any part of the body as a means of passing or scoring except the feet.

¨  Traveling is not allowed

¨  If the ball stops after hitting the ground it is out of bounds

Positions

¨  Goalkeeper- the goalkeeper is a form of defense by blocking the ball from entering the goal. This is the only player allowed to kick the ball.

¨  Center- also known as the “playmaker” acts as a form of offense and defense. This player sets up shooting positions and plays.

¨  Left and Right backs- blocks shots from the opposing team and are used as long range shooters

¨  Circle runner- used as a distraction to set up openings for teammates or to get into shooting positions.

¨  Left and right wings- the fast runners; they set up openings and shoot from harder angles

¨  Pivot- the player that blocks the other team and creates openings for teammates.