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History
Handball is one of the oldest games on earth. Historians think it appeared even before football because the early people were better with their hands rather than with their feet.
The origins of the game are likely to date back to ancient Greek and Roman times. The ancient Greeks played a similar game called Urania. In Rome, they played Harpaston, a game involving throwing a ball over a line.
There are drawings of Egyptians playing handball decorating the five-thousand-year-old tombs at Sahara in Egypt, which depict girls in pairs playing the game.
The origins of modern handball are a subject of great debate. One view is that it was first played in Scandinavia and Germany at the end of the 19th century. It was invented as an outdoor sport to keep football players fit during the summer months. There were eleven players on each team, and the game was played on a football field with football goals. It was mainly played with football rules, but it was played with hands, and kicking the ball was illegal.
The Handball Court
The Handball Court is 40 meters long and 20 meters wide. The longer lines are called sidelines, and the shorter ones are goal lines. The Center Line divides the court into two halves.
There are two semi-circle lines in front of each goal.
· One is a solid line - the 6-meter line. It defines the goal area. Only the goalkeeper is allowed in this area. It is permissible for a player to jump above the 6-meter line when taking a shot at the goal.
· The other line is a broken line - the 9-meter line for the free throws, also known as a free-throw line.
The 7-meter line also called the penalty line, is parallel to the goal line and 7 meters away from it. The shooter takes a penalty shot from there.
The 4-meter line, known as the goalkeeper restraining line, is directly in front of the goal, 4 meters away. The goalkeeper must not cross this line when an opponent takes a 7-meter penalty throw.
The throw-ins are executed behind the sidelines.
Handball is a team sport. There are seven players on the court (six field players and a goalkeeper). There are two goals, one at each end of the court.
The basic skills of running, jumping, catching, and throwing are combined into a fast, exciting game. The aim of the game is to score more goals than your opponents by throwing the ball into their goal.
Handball combines elements of basketball, soccer, hockey, and water polo. The game lasts 60 minutes with 30-minute halves and a 10-minute intermission. Teams can call 3 team timeouts per game (up to two per half), which last one minute each.
A coin flip determines who gets first possession of the ball. The game begins with a throw-off.
The throw-off
A throw-off takes place from the center of the court. The thrower must touch the middle line with one foot, and all the other offensive players must stay in their half until the referee restarts the game. The defending players must keep a distance of at least three meters from the thrower. A throw-off occurs at the beginning of each period and after the opposing team scores a goal.
Field players may touch the ball with any part of their bodies above and including the knee. A player who is in possession of the ball may stand still for only three seconds and may take only three steps. He must then shoot, pass, or dribble the ball. Taking more than three steps at any time is considered travelling and results in a turnover.
Only the goalkeeper may move freely within the goal perimeter, although he may not cross the goal perimeter line while carrying or dribbling the ball. Within the zone, he may touch the ball with all parts of his body, including his feet. The goalkeeper may take part in the normal play of his teammates. He may be substituted by a regular field player.
Goals are scored quite often. Usually, both teams score at least 20 goals each, and it is not uncommon for both teams to score more than 30 goals. After each goal, the ball goes back to the middle, as in the beginning of the game.
There are two referees in a handball match – the goal-line referee and the court referee.
The referee gives only one warning to a player for rule violations and a total of three to a team. Exceeding these limits results in 2-minute suspensions thereafter.
Typically, the referee will give a warning yellow card for an illegal action, but if the contact is particularly dangerous, the referee can forego the warning for an immediate 2-minute suspension. A player can get only one warning before receiving a 2-minute suspension. One player is only permitted two 2-minute suspensions; on the third time, (s)he will be shown the red card.
A red card results in an ejection from the game and a 2-minute penalty for the team. A player may receive a red card directly for particularly rough penalties. For instance, any contact from behind during a fast break is treated with a red card. A red-carded player has to leave the playing area completely. A player who is disqualified may be substituted with another player after the 2-minute penalty is served.
Basic Rules
1. Players are allowed to run 3 steps with the ball.
2. Players may hold the ball for 3 seconds before passing or advancing it in some method.
3. Players may dribble the ball but are not allowed to "double dribble" (similar to basketball).
4. A player may take 3 steps, dribble, and take 3 more steps before passing or shooting.
5. Except for the goalie players may not play the ball below the knees.
6. A Player may not pass the ball to his/her self by throwing it into the air (air dribble is illegal).
7. Players are not allowed to dive for a ball that is on the ground.
8. Goalies may leave the goal area to play the ball. Still, they must then abide by all the court rules.
Positions of Players
The goalie remains inside his own area. He is the only person who can kick the ball, but only inside the restricted area. He can leave the goal area, but only without the ball.
The pivot or circle runner is an aggressive, well-built player who tries to disturb the defenders with his moves. The circle runner is quick and gets in among opposing defenders to either create openings for teammates or to get into a good scoring position.
The center or playmaker directs the play in both defense and attack. He is usually a taller one, who is located at the backcourt. He sets up the tactics.
The left and right backs are usually the largest players on the handball team. When defending, they try to block shots, and in attack, they are the long-range handball shooters.
The left and right wingers are small and quick players both on the right and left sides of the court. They counter opposing wingers and, in attack, look to create openings for others or shoot from the more difficult angles.
Types of Passes in Handball
Overhand pass – a pass with one hand over the head
Wrist pass – a quick pass from below the waist level
Bounce pass – forcing the ball onto the ground while passing to a teammate
Side-arm pass – one hand pass executed at waist level
Jump pass – passing with one hand while jumping
Chest pass – a pass executed from chest level with two hands
Release pass or hook pass – jumping high and from the highest point of the jump, the ball is dropped to a teammate
EXERCISES
Exercise 1.
What is the English equivalent of the words to the right? Make one sentence about the handball rules with each word.
тичам
продължава
определям
скачам
стрелям
започвам
хващам
хвърлям
движа се
позволявам
пресичам
дриблирам
отбелязвам точка
комбинирам
докосвам
стоя неподвижно
подавам
участвам в
Exercise 2.
Make negative and interrogative sentences. Then ask special questions.
1. There are seven players on the court. How many
2. The game lasts 60 minutes. How long
3. He must shoot, pass, or dribble. What
4. Only the goalkeeper may move freely within the goal perimeter. Who/Where
5. The players play only with hands. How
6. The team scored a goal. What/Who
7. The aim of the game is to score more goals than your opponents. What
Exercise 3.
Translate into English and answer the questions:
Какъв спорт е хандбалът?
Колко играча има на игрището?
Какво има на игрището?
Какви умения трябва да имаш, за да играеш хандбал?
Каква е целта на играта?
Как се отбелязва точка в хандбала?
Exercise 4.
Answer the questions:
Which sports is handball based on?
How long does a handball game last?
How does a handball game start?
Which parts of the body may you use when playing handball?
How long may a player hold the ball?
How many steps can he make with the ball?
What happens if a player makes more than three steps?
Exercise 5.
True or false. Correct the false statements.
All players can move freely within the goal perimeter.
The goalkeeper may cross the goal perimeter line while carrying the ball.
The goalkeeper may not cross the goal perimeter line while dribbling the ball.
The goalkeeper may touch the ball with all parts of his body.
The goalkeeper may not be substituted by a regular field player.
There are eight players on the court.
There are seven field players and a goalkeeper on the court.
Field players may touch the ball with any part of their bodies.
A player who is in possession of the ball may take only one step.
Every player may move freely within the goal perimeter.
Players don’t score many goals in a handball game.
Handball combines elements of basketball, soccer, volleyball and water polo.
There are maximum 3 timeouts per half.
A player must shoot, pass, or dribble the ball.
Travelling results in a turnover.
The aim of the game is to score more goals than your opponents by throwing the ball into their goal.
A player who is in possession of the ball may stand still for only three seconds.
Taking more than three steps at any time is considered travelling.
The goalkeeper may touch the ball with all parts of his body including his feet.
The goalkeeper may take part in the normal play of his teammates.
Regular field players can substitute the goalkeeper.
The game lasts 60 minutes.
There are three referees in a handball match.
Exercise 6.
Match the words with the definitions:
1.7-meter throw line
2.9-meter line
3.Side lines
4.Checking
5.Violations
6.Charging
7.Screening
a)when every defender is checking a specific area on the court to prevent the opponents from scoring
b)penalty line
c)the throw-ins are executed there
d)a dynamic meeting of an attacker and a defender with body and limbs
e)free-throw line
f)pushing, holding, tripping, hitting
g)a situation when the offensive player runs into a stationary defensive player in a better position
Exercise 7.
Match the words with the definitions:
1.Overhand pass
2.Wrist pass
3.Bounce pass
4.Chest pass
5.Jump pass
6.Hook pass
7.Side-arm pass
a)jumping high and from the highest point of the jump, the ball is dropped to a teammate
b)a pass executed from chest level with two hands
c)a quick pass from below the waist level
d)a pass with one hand over the head
e) passing with one hand while jumping
f)one hand pass executed at waist level
g)forcing the ball onto the ground while passing to a teammate
Exercise 8.
Choose the right option.
A player who defends the goal with all parts of his body.
a) Pivot b) goalkeeper c) center
A creative handball player who directs play in both defence and attack.
a) Playmaker b) pivot c) circle runner
The largest players on the handball team.
a) Wingers b) centers c) backs
They are the long-range handball shooters.
a) Goalkeepers b) wingers c) backs
The fast players who patrol the sides of the court.
a) Wingers b) backs c) pivots
A quick player who gets in among opposing defenders to either create openings for teammates or to get into a good scoring position.
a) Pivot c) center c) winger
A player also known as the ‘playmaker’ who sets up the tactics of the team.
a) Center b) pivot c) goalkeeper
In attack they look to create openings for others, or shoot from the more difficult angles.
a) Backs b) wingers c) centers
Exercise 9.
Fill in the gaps with the correct word.
Handball is a 1)……………sport. There are seven players on the 2)…………..(six 3)……………players and a goalkeeper). There are two 4)…………, one at each end of the court.
The basic 5)…………of running, jumping, catching, and 6)………….are combined into a fast-moving 7)………….game. The 8)…………..of the game is to 9)………..more goals than your 10)………….by throwing the ball into their goal.
Handball 11)………..elements of basketball, soccer, hockey, and water polo. The game 12)……….60 minutes with 30-minute 13)………….and a 10-minute 14)………….. No time outs are 15)………….except for 16)…………….
team field skills injuries exciting score combines halves
allowed court goals throwing aim opponents lasts intermission
A coin flip 1)…………….who gets first 2)………..of the ball. The game begins with a 3)……………..
Field players may4)………….the ball with any part of their bodies above and including the 5)………….. A player who is in possession of the ball may stand 6)………..for only three seconds, and may take only three7)………….. He must then shoot, pass, or dribble the ball. Taking more than three steps at any time is considered 8)……….., and results in a 9)…………………….
possession touch knee steps travelling
determines throw-off still travelling
Only the 1)…………may move freely within the goal perimeter, although he may not 2)…………..the goal perimeter line while 3)…………or dribbling the ball. 4)………….the zone, he may5)………….the ball with all parts of his body including his 6)…………... The goalkeeper may 7)……………the normal play of his 8)…………... He may be 9)……….by a regular field player.
10)…………..are scored quite often. Usually both teams score 11)………..20 goals each, and it is not uncommon for both teams to score more than 30 goals. After each goal, the ball goes back to the 12)…………as in the beginning of the game.
There are two 13)………….in a handball match – the goal 14)………referee and the 15)…………referee.
within goalkeeper take part in touch substituted at least
referees carrying cross feet teammates goals
middle line court
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