Team Handball (better known as handball) is an Olympic sport, but more commonly played covering of English speaking regions. Handball will be one of the sports in the next Summer Olympic Games in London 2012. Handball is mostly played on mainland Europe, commonly from September to April/May of the following year.
Who plays handball?
It is played by males and females, each team consists of 12 players, where 2 of the players are goalkeepers, and the rest of the team are outfield players. When playing the game, one goalkeeper and 6 players are playing at the same time, the other 5 players are on the bench. You can interchange any of the players from the bench at anytime during the match, as long as you have only 7 or less players on the field.
How do you play Handball?
Team handball is in many ways like soccer with some major differences. You use a ball similar to a soccer ball, but smaller. The men's size ball is bigger than the lady's ball, and you use your hands to pass the ball between each other. The purpose of the game is to outscore the opposing team, by throwing the ball into the opponent's goal. There is a line about 6 meters from the goal and only the defending goalkeeper, is allowed inside this zone. There is other line 9 meters out where all the free throws are taken. 7 meters from the goal is also a penalty line where penalty throws are taken.
General handball knowledge
A normal ensue in handball would be in the region of 25 - 23, and playing time for seniors is usually 2 halves of 30 minutes, with about 10-15 minutes halftime rest. There are always 2 referees in handball. One stands in the middle of the field concentrating on what the attacking players are doing, and the other at the goal line checking mostly what the defending players are doing and deciding if it's a goal or not. Often 2 minute time penalties are awarded where the team must play with one player less for 2 minutes, much like in ice hockey. When playing handball you are allowed to pass the ball in any direction, for every 3 steps you need to bounce the ball.
Team Handball, Could It Be a Sport for You?