Handball History, Rules, and Gameplay: A Comprehensive Look

Handball: Origins and Evolution

Handball's origins trace back to 1898 in Denmark. By 1910, it was gaining traction as a sport. Germany played a crucial role in formalizing the rules, and by 1928, the sport was widely known as handball. Interestingly, a similar game was played by the Romans.

Key Milestones

• 1925: The first international match between Germany and Austria.
• 1946: The International Handball Federation (IHF) was established.
• 1935: The first seven-a-side handball game was played between Sweden and Germany.
• 1938: The first World Championship was held, featuring both 11-a-side and 7-a-side formats.
• 1936: 11-a-side handball was an Olympic sport in Berlin.
• 1966: 11-a-side handball was discontinued.
• 1972: 7-a-side handball became the standard format, continuing to this day.

Basic Handball Actions

The 'Boat' Technique

The 'boat' is a technical action used when a player needs to move away from an opponent while holding the ball. Players can only hold the ball for 3 seconds without dribbling.

Types of Passes

• Classic front pass
• Classic side pass
• High pass in suspension
• Pronation pass
• Tray pass
• Curtain and lock pass
• Two-handed chest pass

Types of Throws

• Supporting throw
• Regular throw
• Intermediate throw
• Hip throw
• Low support throw
• Grinding crash throw
• Setback throw
• Fall in suspension throw

The Handball Court

The handball court is rectangular, measuring 40 x 20 meters. It is divided into two halves. The goals are 3 meters high and 2 meters wide. Each side has a goal area and a 9-meter free-throw line. A 7-meter line marks the penalty area.

Players and Positions

Team Composition

Each team consists of 14 players: 2 goalkeepers and 12 court players. Only 7 players are on the court at a time, including one goalkeeper. There are 5 substitute players on the bench. A minimum of 5 players is required to start a game.

Player Positions

Players are typically positioned in the first and second lines:

• Left back
• Center back
• Right back
• Left wing
• Right wing
• Pivot

Game Duration

A handball game consists of two 30-minute halves with a 10-minute halftime break. In case of a tie, extra periods of 5 minutes each are played.