What is Handball? Handball is a combination of Basketball, Soccer and Netball. It is played indoors on a court about the size of two basketball courts. At the each end of the court is a net which is 9 feet wide by 6 1/2 feet high. The object of the game is simply to score more goals than the other team. The ball is usually moved around the court by passing. However, the ball can be dribbled, but like in basketball you cannot double-dribble. You can dribble for as long as you want (though you risk getting the ball taken away). You can only take at most three steps after catching a pass. You cannot hold the ball for more than three seconds without passing it. • • FYI on Handball? Handball, the second most popular team sport in Europe after football, is an exciting, fast paced, high scoring game. As an Olympic sport, Handball is set to draw huge crowds this summer in London. This is your guide to the basics of the game so you can keep up with the action!. Fact 1: Handball is said to be a combination of football, basketball and water polo. Fact 2: There are two referees leading the game; goal line referee and court referee. Fact 3: Unlike other sports, handball players are not restricted with number of faults. Fact 4: There's also beach handball which is played on a smaller sand court and its popularity is increasing with more teams joining in. Fact 5: The size of the ball differs in men's and women's handball. For children, the ball is even smaller and usually softer to avoid injuries. th Fact 6: The origins of the game are thought to date back to ancient Greece. Fact 7: Handball is the second largest sport in Europe. Fact 8: The goalkeeper is the only one allowed to be within the goal line. Players of opposing teams can't pass the line though the goalkeeper can move outside of it. Fact 9: In a common American version, a player is allowed to move only one step before he pass the ball to another player. Fact 10: A player can’t hold the ball for longer than 3 seconds and can’t move more than 3 steps holding it. •May 12 Instructional Handball Videos/Study Guide • History of Handball • USA Team Handball Introductory Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6RcTHNlxto • Spain vs. Denmark in the Finals http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZt0p-_ZWM8 Field Trip
