Olympic Handball
How to Play
Start
The game starts with two opponents playing Rock, Paper, and Scissors to decide which team starts with the ball.
To allow for faster play, after a goal is scored, the game can resume before all opponents are back on their side of the court (the team taking the throw-off, however, must still be on its own half).
Touching
A player may stop, catch, throw, bounce or strike the ball in any manner and in any direction, using hands, fists, arms, head, body, thighs or knees. However, a player may not intentionally touch the ball with any part of the body below the knee. The ball is almost always played with the hands.
Possession
A player in possession of the ball may stand stationary for only three seconds before shooting, or passing. A player may not touch the ball more than once, unless it has touched the ground, touched another player, or bounced off a goal post (in other words, a player can't pass to himself/herself).
Dribbling
Players typically advance the ball down the court by passing it between each other. A player in possession of the ball may not take more than three steps without shooting, passing or dribbling the ball. In handball, dribbling typically involves bouncing the ball and catching it - a slight variation from the more fluid dribbling associated with basketball.
Defense
Defensive players may not hold, hit, push or trip an offensive player. Among the tactics a defensive player may use to gain control of the ball are using the flat part of the hand to knock the ball away from the offensive player, and obstructing the opponent with the body, whether or not the player has the ball. It is forbidden to snatch the ball with one or both hands or violently strike or slap the ball from an opponent's hands. Offensive players may set basketball-style screens in order to shield or free a teammate from a defensive player.
Goalkeeping
Only the goalkeeper may dive for and trap the ball when it is stationary or rolling on the ground in the goal area. Once the goalkeeper leaves the goal area, the athlete must adhere to the same rules as field players. Other players may dive for a bouncing ball and tap it or throw it quickly to a teammate, but they cannot trap the ball with their feet.
Goal area
Only the goalkeeper is permitted to enter the goal area, and the other players are not allowed to touch the ball when it is on the ground in the goal area.
Set-Up
Use the basketball court.
Set up cones for the goals.
You can use bibs to create the teams and a dodgeball for the game ball.
The Game Encourages
Participation & Focus
Physical Activity
Throwing & Catching
Team Work
Competition
Set-Up & Equipment
6+ students
Cones
x1 Dodgeball
Bibs/Pinnies