Lecture note on the game of Handball

 THE GAME OF HANDBALL

Nature of the game

Handball is a team sport in which two teams of seven players each (six outcourt players and a goalkeeper) pass a ball using their hands with the aim of throwing it into the goal of the other team. A standard match consists of two periods of 30 minutes, and the team that scores more goals wins.

Modern handball is played on a court of 40 by 20 metres (131 by 66 ft), with a goal in the middle of each end. The goals are surrounded by a 6-metre (20 ft) zone where only the defending goalkeeper is allowed; goals must be scored by throwing the ball from outside the zone or while “diving” into it. The sport is usually played indoors, but outdoor variants exist in the forms of field handball, Czech handball and beach handball. The game is fast and high-scoring and it requires high fitness level.

Objective of the Game

The objective of handball is to score more goal than your opponent.

A handball game lasts for a regulation of 60 minutes. This is split into two periods of 30 minutes each with a 15 minute interval break. For younger players, the period time can be reduced to 20 minutes.

History and development of Handball

Handball started from time immemorial though games similar to handball were played in Ancient Greece and are represented on amphorae and stone carvings. Although detailed textual reference is rare, there are numerous descriptions of ball games being played where players throw the ball to one another; sometimes this is done in order to avoid interception by a player on the opposing team. Such games were played widely and served as both a form of exercise and a social event.

There is evidence of ancient Roman women playing a version of handball called expulsim ludere. There are records of handball-like games in medieval France, and among the Inuit in Greenland, in the Middle Ages. By the 19th century, there existed similar games of håndbold from Denmark, házená in the Czech Republic, handbol in Ukraine, and torball in Germany.

The team handball game of today was codified at the end of the 19th century in northern Europe: primarily in Denmark, Germany, Norway and Sweden. The first written set of team handball rules was published in 1906 by the Danish gym teacher, lieutenant and Olympic medalist Holger Nielsen from Ordrup grammar school, north of Copenhagen. The modern set of rules was published by Max Heiser, Karl Schelenz, and Erich Konigh in 1917 on 29 October in Berlin, Germany; this day is therefore seen as the "date of birth" of the sport. The first ever official handball match was played on 2 December 1917 in Berlin.In 1919 the rules were modified by Karl Schelenz. The first international games were played under these rules, between Germany and Austria by men in 1925 and between Germany and Austria by women in 1930.

In 1926, the Congress of the International Amateur Athletics Federation nominated a committee to draw up international rules for field handball. The International Amateur Handball Federation was formed in 1928 and later the International Handball Federation was formed in 1946.

Men’s field handball was played at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. During the next several decades, indoor handball flourished and evolved in the Scandinavian countries. The sport re-emerged onto the world stage as men’s team handball for the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich. Women's team handball was added at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal. Due to its popularity in the region, the Eastern European countries that refined the event became the dominant force in the sport when it was reintroduced.

The International Handball Federation organised the men's world championship in 1938 and every four (sometimes three) years from World War II to 1995. Since the 1995 world championship in Iceland, the competition has been held every two years. The women's world championship has been held since 1957. The IHF also organizes women's and men's junior world championships. By July 2009, the IHF listed 166 member federations – approximately 795,000 teams and 19 million players.

Players & Equipment

The standard handball games features 7 players on each side, six outfield players and one goalkeeper. A team will also have 7 substitutes, which can be used on a rolling basis and with no need to notify the referee.

There is semi-circle area around each goal area, sometimes referred to as the crease or the zone. There is also a dashed semi-circle line which lies 9 metres from goal, which is the free throw line.

The handball court — measures 40m x 20m (131.25ft x 65.62ft).

The handball goal — 2m (6.56ft) tall and 3m (9.84ft) wide.

6m line — the dividing line between goalkeepers and the rest of the players.

7m line — where penalty shots are taken following fouls on players with a clear shooting chance on goal.

9m line — an arcing dotted line extending from the goal. It marks where an attacking team resumes play after being fouled inside the line. Also known as the ‘free-throw line’.

Halfway line — where the game is started from at the beginning of the game and after half-time, and also for restarting after a goal is scored.

Substitution line — where players must leave the court when a substitution is made.

Goal area in handball — the area in which the goalkeeper operates. Players can jump in this area so long as they release the ball before they land.

The handball

The ball must be made from leather or synthetic material and it must be of a size to fit in the hand of a player. This means that there are three regulation sizes of handball. Size one for over 8s where the ball has a circumference of 50-52 cm, size II for women and males aged 12 to 16 where the ball has a circumference of 54-56cm and size III for males aged 16 and over, with a circumference of 58-60cm.

Scoring

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

Winning the Game

To win in handball you must score more than your opponent.

If the handball game is drawn then there must be a winner; then periods of overtime with a maximum of 25 minute periods are played. If the scores are still level, a shoot-out is used to determine the result of the game.

Basic rules in Handball

• The throw-off is taken by the team that wins the coin toss and chooses to start the game with the ball. The other team chooses the court. A throw-off takes place from the centre of the court. Each team must be in its own half of the court with the defence 3 metres away from the thrower.

• A match consists of two periods of 30 minutes each.

• Each team consists of 7 players; a goalkeeper and 6 outfield players.

• Outfield players can touch the ball with any part of their body that is above the knee.

• Once a player receives possession, they can pass, hold possession or shoot.

• If a player holds possession, they can dribble or take three steps for up to three seconds without dribbling.

• Only the goalkeeper is allowed to come into contact with the floor of the goal area.

• Goalkeepers are allowed out of the goal area but must not retain possession if they are outside the goal area.

• The six metre line – No handball player (other than the goalkeeper) is allowed in the goal area (inside the 6m line). Exceptions are after a shot on goal, when the player jumps into the area and shoots the ball before landing in the goal area.

• ‘Walking’ – If a handball player takes more than three steps without dribbling (bouncing the ball) or holds the ball for more than 3 seconds without bouncing it, shooting or passing, then that is deemed ‘walking’ and possession is lost.

• ‘Double dribble’ – Handball players cannot receive the ball and bounce it, then hold the ball, and bounce it again. This is termed ‘double dribble’ and is against the rules.

• ‘Kicking’ – Handball players (other than the goalkeeper) must not kick the ball. If the ball touches the foot, then possession is awarded to the opposition.

• Handball fouls – No tripping, pushing, hitting, clinching, charging or holding is allowed in handball.

• Free-throws in handball – These are awarded for slight infringements of the rules. All defenders are required to stay 3m (9.84ft) away from the person taking the free-throw.

• Penalty-throws in handball – These are awarded when denying a clear scoring opportunity with an infringement.

• Handball sanctions – Depending on the seriousness of the offenses, the referee can award players with either a yellow card (warning), suspension (2 minutes sitting out), or a red card (dismissal).

• Throw-ins – These are awarded after the ball has crossed a side line. It is taken by the side who did not touch it last, with the player putting one foot on the line where ball went out and passing it back into the court.

• Corners – A corner is taken by the attacking side when a defender has knocked the ball over the goal line (other than in the goal). The player puts one foot on the corner of the side line and the goal line and passes the ball in.

• Goal-throws – This occurs when the ball comes off a goalkeeper and crosses the goal line. The goalkeeper then takes the throw from within their own area.

Positions and roles

A team in handball consists of 7 players, 6 court players and 1 goalkeeper. The court players include a centre, a left back, a right back, a circle runner, a left winger, and a right winger. The centre plays both sides of the court. Also called a playmaker, the centre sets up and creates for his teammates. The left and right backs are mainly defensive players, they try to make block shots and are often the largest players on the team. The circle runner leads the offensive attack but also disrupts defensively. The wingers control the sides of the court. They look to counter opposing wingers and get different angles to shoot the ball.

Basic skills in Handball

To master handball, you must learn a certain number of skills and practice them until they are second nature. Most of the skills in the list below are transferable to/from other sports.

• Passing

• Shooting

• Dribbling

• Throwing

• Catching

• Jumping

• Saving

• Accuracy

• Power

• Running

• Screening

Passing

This is a basic skill allowing all attack actions and it should follow a flat not too fast trajectory at chest level. It is the act of advancing the ball to ones teammate. A handball pass is done by holding the ball in one hand. Right-handed players should move the left foot forward, twisting of the trunk to the right. Initially, the right arm loads backwards for the shot, then it flexes forward keeping the elbow in line with right ear. In the end, the wrist makes a whip-like motion of the wrist.

Types of Passes

Push pass

Bounce pass

Overhead passes

One-handed shoulder pass

Shovel pass

Roll pass

Jump pass

Hand-off pass

Shooting

This involves using force to direct the ball towards the opponents goal.

Types of shots

Jump Shot – the most popular shot because a player may jump from beyond the goal area and is allowed to land inside the goal area, as long as he/she throws the ball before landing

Lob Shot – used when the goalkeeper is out away from the goal

Set Shot – a simple throw from a standing position. Set shots are also used for all penalty shots.

Penalty shot – one on one with the goalkeeper. The shooter must stand with both feet behind the penalty line and keep one foot stationary during the shot

Throwing

Throwing the ball is vitally important to the game of handball. You will be throwing the ball to either shoot or pass to a teammate.

Catching

Catching is most often used when passing the ball or when playing goalie. It is important to work on hand-eye coordination because if you drop the ball, you give your opponents a chance to get possession. While playing in goal, catching the ball is critical to saving goals for your team.

Dribbling

It allows moving on the field while maintaining ball possession. It occurs only under special conditions, for example when there is a gap, there are no teammates to whom passing the ball, or man-to-man defence needs to be applied. The ball should not be accompanied by any movement and after stopping the dribble, it cannot be resumed.

Saving/Goalkeeping

This skill is most important for goalies, but is useful for other players on the court as well. Being able to save the ball by either catching or deflecting it will help your team stay in the game. Defenders can also save the ball indirectly by using their bodies to block shots from the other team.

Accuracy

Accuracy has a strong case for being the most important skill to have in handball. Having good accuracy when you shoot will result in a better chance of scoring, which will help your team win. When passing, accuracy is helpful because you will aid your teammates in keeping possession. Effective passing is integral in any offensive possession and could lead to a goal.

Running

While you are not running the whole time during a handball game, it is still an important skill. On offense, being able to get by defenders and make your way towards the net is easier when you are fast. On the other side of the game, defensive players need to be able to move quickly in order to intercept passes and block shots headed for the net. There are tons of drills that you can do to increase your speed, endurance, and acceleration.

Screening

In handball, screening is mostly used in the form of a pick and roll. Similar to basketball, a teammate will stand in front of a defender so that the ball carrier can go by easily. This is an important skill because it creates space for a player to either pass or shoot the ball on net.

Faking

Faking is a commonly utilized skill that can benefit the team in possession of the ball tremendously. The art of faking can be broken into two main scenarios: shot faking and pass faking. Each of these types of fakes are meant to draw drastic movements out of the defense in an attempt to get the ball, opening up more room to complete passes and leaving lanes for offensive players to take shots on the goal. Faking is an instrumental part of offense in professional handball, making it a worthwhile skill to build for any aspiring pro handball players.

Officials and there duties

A game of handball is officiated by four officials – two referees, a scorekeeper and a timekeeper. The referees are positioned diagonally on court to observe a side line each and, depending on who is attacking, one is called field referee and the other goal referee.

Two referees are there, both standing diagonally opposite to each other. They assist one another for better coordination among them.

• They judge the fair play in their halves and give decision accordingly.

• They start the game by throw-off and end the game by blowing whistle.

• They signal fouls, timeout, enforce foul and penalties, side-pass, suspend player, warning to player.

• They indicate the beginning of the passive play and control the game under rules.

• They give decision when goal has been scored. They check player’s equipments, ball, ground dimensions; ground safety area.

• Referees show the spots for throws during the game

• Referees award penalties

• Referees dictate passive play when the attacking team is not engaging in an attack when they try to throw off soon after conceding a goal

• Referees ensure the team which concedes a goal resumes attacking play from their goal line

• Player substitution is only allowed by the referee

• Fouls are dictated by referees

• Bench behavior limits are set by handball officials

• Referees are responsible to implement the last-minute rule

• Time outs and eliminations are dictated by referees

Tactics and strategies in Handball

Tactical skills are strategic mental abilities that successful teams use to win games and competitions. Mastering these skills can help an a team use their techniques effectively.

Based on basic methods of attack and defense, handball tactics are important for the strategy and success of any game.

Defensive systems

Defense in zone 3: 2: 1

Three defenders stand on the six-meter mark and two others on a line between six and nine meters. In addition, a defender stands at the mark on the nine meters. It can be adapted quickly and become another defensive system.

Because it has more advanced player positions, it is also the system that best offers chances for counterattacks. One of the disadvantages of this system is that it is only efficient with a lot of displacement on the part of the players, which can cause physical wear and tear.

Defense in zone 3: 3

Three players position themselves in front of the free kick area, and three infiltrators stay within the area, moving close to the goalkeeper’s area line. It is one of the most aggressive tactical systems, but also considered one of the most risky, as it makes coverage difficult and facilitates infiltrations by the opposing team.

It can be easily adapted for 4: 2, 3: 2: 1 and 5: 1 systems. It is effective in neutralizing opposing teams in nine-meter shots. It also offers great counter-attack possibilities.

Defense in zone 4: 2

In this strategy, the team forms two lines of defense: the first has two athletes close to the nine-meter mark, who move laterally, and the second has four athletes close to the six-meter mark. The goal is to avoid long and medium distance shots. Defenders of the second row, in addition to moving on the sides, also move forward and backward, diagonally across the field.

It Is an effective tactic when the opposing team has two good players in midfield shots. Effective especially in the central zone, the defensive system has breadth and depth. Works against attacks with two pivots. It is also effective at making passing difficult, although it is weak against 3: 3 attacks.

Defense in zone 5: 1

Tactical system formed by two lines of defense, one with five players close to the six-meter mark, and the other with one player on the nine-meter line. This player must be fast, agile and resistant to not allow long distance shots and avoid making a pass to the pivot of the opposite team. In addition, it has the function of disrupting the movement of attackers in long distance shots and intercepting passes. You should also help defenders on the sides and start the counterattack.

The 5: 1 system is versatile because it can be applied both defensive and offensive. On the defensive, players leave the area little and are limited to long distance blocks. On the offensive, the left and right wingers go out to the nine-meter line and attack the opponent. From this offensive movement the so-called spastic defense is born, whichh changes from a 5: 1 system to another 3: 2: 1 or 3: 3 system, and then returns to 5: 1.

The advantage of this system is that the pivot can be well marked, in addition to having good coverage. It is weak when the other team plays with two pivots, in addition to allowing short shots and infiltrations more easily.

Defense in zone 6: 0

Composed of only one line of defense with six players, it is a system that reduces the spaces next to the goal area, which makes it difficult for the pivots to work. The players move according to the trajectory of the ball, to the right and to the left.

They are also effective in coverage, do not allow short shots and infiltrations into the goal area. If there is a counterattack, the defenders of the ends can leave easily, as the defense area is covered by the other players. However, it is a weak system in midfield shooting, and ineffective in stealing the ball.

Offensive systems

Attack in zone 5: 1

It works to attack 6: 0, 4: 2, 3: 3 and 3: 2: 1 defense systems. Five players are ahead, in the free-throw area, and a pivot is positioned close to the goal area. There, he occupies the central range of the goal, where he manages to have a greater pitch angle. The movement of the pivot is always in relation to the ball. He must facilitate the receipt, and only if he walks or runs towards the frame of the move.

The other five players are responsible for setting up the play. They can use three players in this specific function, while two others, playing at the ends, try to penetrate the area or assist the pivot in finishing and shooting.

Attack in zone 6: 0

Effective for attacking 6: 0, 5: 1, 3: 3, and 3: 2: 1 defense systems. It is one of the simplest offensive systems. Six players position themselves in front of the free-throw area, trying to occupy this entire region. The movement between them must always be in the sense of exchanging passes to be able to penetrate or obtain conditions to execute long distance shots.

In this formation, there is no specific performance of the pivot, and the guards must set up the plays from the sides. This causes the defense of the opposing team to move to one side, and the attack can penetrate the area from the opposite side. In this case, the tip positioned on the opposite side penetrates through the middle, occupying the position of the pivot. In case the frame starts in the center of the court, players must exchange passes close to the midfield, to avoid being cut by the defenders of the other team.

Terminologies in Handball

Court player – The players playing on the court except goal-keepers are known as court player.

Goalie – A player who defends the goal while opposition attempts to score goals. A goalie or goal keeper is permitted to play inside the goal area.

Corner Throw – This is thrown by attacking player from the corner of court. It is done by throwing the ball by using either hand. A corner throw is given to an attacking player while the ball is played over goal line by a defending player or either side of the goal.

Free throw – It is allowed to the opposition team while other team does a foul during the game. The ball is thrown from a line 9mts away from the goal.

Penalty throw – The penalty shot is thrown from a mark at a distance of 7mts from the goal. In a penalty throw a player is allotted to score a goal through direct throw into the goal centre.

Referee’s throw – This throw is done by referees to resume the game after an interruption of play caused by any other reason than mentioned above, during a handball match.

Dive shot – It is a way of putting the shot, in order to score a goal, by jumping above the floor towards the goal. It is done without touching the d-line.

Goal – A goal is scored by throwing the ball into the goal post and is confirmed by deciding that if the ball has hit the tape mark or not.

Throw-in – It is done by a player by throwing back the ball into the court after it has crossed one of the side lines. While throwing the ball the feet of the player must be in contact with the ground. Player may either use his/her either hands or a single hand to throw the ball.

Throw-on – It is done to start the play or after a goal is scored, from the centre of the court.

Throw out – It is a throw by a goalkeeper from the goal area in order to pass the ball to a team player after possession of the ball in the goal area.