Handball (Olympic sport since 1936)

   About

   The modern game of handball was first played towards the end of the 19th century in Denmark, Germany and Sweden. Recognition of field handball based on the games of "Raffball" (snatch ball) and "Königsbergerball" (Konrad Koch, 1846-1911) occurred at the turn of the century. G. Wallström introduced Sweden to the sport of "handball" in 1910.

   After the men's game debuted on turf football fields at the 1936 Games in Berlin, the European-based sport next appeared in its present indoor form in 1972 at Munich. A women's division opened in 1976 and it has become one of the most highly attended Olympic sports.

   Competition

   Handball is a fast-paced game involving two teams of seven players who pass, throw, catch and dribble a small ball with their hands while trying to score goals. The team with the most goals wins the game. A game consists of two 30-minute halves with a 10-minute half-time break.

   List of events

   -- handball Men

   -- handball Women

History

   Discipline's origin

   The modern game of handball was first played towards the end of the 19th century in Denmark, Germany and Sweden. Recognition of field handball based on the games of "Raffball" (snatch ball) and "Königsbergerball" (Konrad Koch, 1846-1911) occurred at the turn of the century. G. Wallström introduced Sweden to the sport of "handball" in 1910.

   The sport evolved and grew in popularity early in the 20th century and ironically it was the secretary general of the Association Internationale de Football, a Dutchman called Hirschmann, who encouraged the spread of field handball in 1912. The first set of rules for field handball were drawn up in 1917 by Max Heiser, and in 1919 Berlin sports teacher Karl Schelenz launched this form of handball played on a full size outdoor football pitch. Later on he improved the rules and he is now generally regarded as one of the founding fathers of handball.

   The International Amateur Handball Federation (IAHF) was set up in 1928 on the occasion of the Olympic Games in Amsterdam. In 1938 the first Field Handball World Championship was played in Germany. The International Handball Federation was formed in 1946 by the eight founding members of the IAHF. At that time both the 11-a-side field handball played in Europe and a new 7-a-side indoor version preferred by the Scandinavians had equal popularity. Between 1938 and 1966 both forms of handball were played at separate World Championships.

   Olympic history

   Handball (the indoor version) was first present in the Munich 1972 Olympic Games. A competition involving 16 men's teams was staged with Yugoslavia winning the first Olympic gold medal.

   Women's handball was introduced at the following Olympic Games in Montreal, 1976. The USSR won the gold medals in both the 11-team men's and 6-team women's competition.

Equipment

   Ball

   The ball, with a leather casing, ranges in circumference from 58 to 60 centimetres for men and 54 to 56 for women. It weighs 425 to 475 grams for men, 325 to 400 for women.

   Court

   The court for handball is 40 metres long and 20 metres wide. A centre line across it divides it into two equal courts, with a goal area at each end. The goal area is D-shaped, arcing from the corners to a straight line six metres in front of the goal. The arcing sides similarly create a six-metre distance from the nearest part of the goal at all points.

Glossary

   Back line: A line across the end of the court, but not including the goal line; also called the "outer goal line".

   Centre back: A player centred largely around midcourt who directs the offence and shoots or tries to penetrate the defence; also called a "playmaker".

   Centre line: A line across the court dividing it into two halves.

   Corner throw: An offensive player's throw from a corner at the offensive end of the court, restarting play after the ball has gone over the back line after being touched by a defender other than the goalkeeper.

   Court player: Any player on the court except a goalkeeper; also known as a "field player".

   Dribble: To move the ball by bouncing it on the floor.

   Exclusion: When a player is ejected from the game with no replacement allowed.

   Field player: Any player on the court except a goalkeeper; also known as a "court player".

   Four-metre line: A line four metres in front of a goal that marks the limit of where a goalkeeper may advance to defend against a penalty throw; also known as the "goalkeeper's restraining line".

   Free throw: A fresh start to offensive play without interference from the defence, awarded for a minor offence by the opponent.

   Free-throw line: An arcing dotted line extending nine metres from the goal, marking where an attacking team resumes play after being fouled inside the line; also called the "nine-metre line".

   Goal area: The D-shaped area extending six metres from the goal and occupied only by the goalkeeper.

   Goal area line: An arcing line that defines the goal area; also called the "six-metre line".

   Goal line: The line the ball must cross to score a goal.

   Goal throw: A throw-in from a goalkeeper to a team-mate, restarting play after the goalkeeper or the opposition last touched the ball before it passed over the back line.

   Goalkeeper: The player in charge of defending the goal.

   Goalkeeper's restraining line: A line four metres in front of a goal that marks the limit of where a goalkeeper may advance to defend against a penalty throw; also known as the "four-metre line".

   Harpaston: An ancient Roman team sport believed to be a forerunner to handball, in which players threw a small ball to team-mates while trying to avoid opposing players.

   Jump shot: A shot attempted while leaping.

   Line player: An offensive player who plays largely around the six-metre line; also called a "pivot".

   Nine-metre line: An arcing dotted line extending nine metres from the goal, marking where an attacking team resumes play after being fouled inside the line; also called the "free-throw line".

   Outer goal line: A line across the end of the court, but not including the goal line; also called the "back line".

   Penalty line: A one-metre line seven metres in front of the goal where penalty throws are attempted; also called the "seven-metre line".

   Penalty shoot-out: A tie-breaking system where, after a tied game, players on each team try to score against the opposing goalkeeper from the penalty line to determine a winner.

   Penalty throw: A seven-metre shot at goal defended only by the goalkeeper and awarded for a serious offence or because the defence illegally spoiled a clear chance to score a goal; also called a "seven-metre throw".

   Pivot: An offensive player who plays largely around the six-metre line; also called a "line player".

   Playmaker: A player centred largely around midcourt who directs the offence and shoots or tries to penetrate the defence; also called a "centre back".

   Red card: A card signifying a referee has ejected a player from the game.

   Referee throw: Similar to a jump ball in basketball, a throw into the air by the referee so a player on each team can jump and try to gain control of the ball.

   Running shot: A shot attempted while running.

   Seven-metre line: A one-metre line seven metres in front of the goal where penalty throws are attempted; also called the "penalty line".

   Seven-metre throw: A seven-metre shot at goal defended only by the goalkeeper and awarded for a serious infraction or because the defence illegally spoiled a clear chance to score a goal; also called a "penalty throw".

   Shooter: A player, usually tall and a good jumper, who shoots from the backcourt.

   Sideline: A boundary line marking a side of the court.

   Six-metre line: An arcing line that defines the goal area; also called the "goal area line".

   Throw-in: A throw from the side of the court to restart play after the ball has gone over the sidelines.

   Throw-off: A throw from the centre line to a team-mate at least three metres away and behind the line, used to restart play.

   Two-minute suspension: The penalty for a second warning from the referee or for any severe foul or unsportsmanlike behaviour.

   Wing: A player who plays largely along the side of the court.

   Yellow card: A card signifying the referee has warned a player about an infraction.