Handball
Fast hands, quick feet, end-to-end action
Overview
Handball is a fast team sport in which players pass, dribble and throw a ball with their hands, aiming to score in the opposing goal. Quick passing, movement off the ball and sharp shooting drive the action, most often on an indoor court.
It blends the running and teamwork of court sports with dynamic jumping and throwing. The continuous, end-to-end play makes it an energetic full-body workout, and its simple aim makes it easy to enjoy at a recreational level.
Why handball is good for your health
- Fast, end-to-end play delivers a strong cardio workout
- Builds explosive power through jumping and throwing
- Improves agility, coordination and reactions
- Works the whole body, from legs to core to shoulders
The social side
- A team game that relies on communication and teamwork
- Recreational and social leagues welcome newcomers
- Sports halls and clubs make it easy to find regular games
How to start as a beginner
- 1Learn the basic rules for moving with the ball and the goal area
- 2Practise passing, catching and a simple jump shot
- 3Start with relaxed, small-sided games to touch the ball often
- 4Join a beginners’ or club session to learn positions and team play
Equipment you’ll need
- Indoor court shoesEssentialNon-marking soles for quick direction changes
- Comfortable sportswearEssential
- A handballOptionalProvided at organised games
- Protective knee supportOptional
Where to play
Handball is typically played at:
Explore clubs and venues to understand the different places you can play, or see how to find people to play with.
Playing Handball
The equipment, rules, skills and more that make up the game — each cross-linked into the encyclopedia.
Related sports to explore
If you enjoy Handball, you might also like these.
Basketball
A fast, dynamic team sport of running, jumping and quick decisions on court.
Netball
A non-contact, position-based team sport of quick passing and accurate shooting.
Futsal
A fast, small-sided indoor form of football played on a hard court with a low-bounce ball.
Water Polo
A demanding team sport played in deep water, blending swimming endurance with tactics.
Compare Handball with…
Deciding between Handball and something similar? See how they line up side by side.
Basketball vs Handball
How they compare on difficulty, intensity, kit and what suits you.
Field Hockey vs Handball
How they compare on difficulty, intensity, kit and what suits you.
Futsal vs Handball
How they compare on difficulty, intensity, kit and what suits you.
Handball vs Ice Hockey
How they compare on difficulty, intensity, kit and what suits you.
Handball vs Netball
How they compare on difficulty, intensity, kit and what suits you.
Handball vs Rugby
How they compare on difficulty, intensity, kit and what suits you.
Reach your goals with Handball
People take up Handball for all kinds of reasons. Here is what it can help you work towards.
How it connects
The meaning-bearing relationships that place Handball in the wider knowledge graph.
Alternative to
Helps achieve
Explore across the knowledge base
Follow the threads that connect Handball to the rest of SocialSportHub.
Learning paths
- Learn HandballA structured, educational learning path for handball — from the rules to skills, techniques, tactics and training.
- Learn TennisA structured, educational learning path for tennis — from the rules to skills, techniques, tactics and training.
- Learn PadelA structured, educational learning path for padel — from the rules to skills, techniques, tactics and training.
- Learn BadmintonA structured, educational learning path for badminton — from the rules to skills, techniques, tactics and training.
- Learn FootballA structured, educational learning path for football — from the rules to skills, techniques, tactics and training.
Glossary
- Counter-attackA quick attacking move made immediately after winning the ball back, aiming to catch the opposition out of position.
- DefenderA player whose main role is to stop the opposition from creating chances and scoring.
- DribbleMoving the ball along under control using repeated touches, by bouncing it in basketball or with the feet in football.
- Fast breakAn attacking play in basketball where a team pushes the ball up the court quickly to score before the defence is set.
- FoulAn action that breaks the rules of play and for which the offending player or team is penalised.
Movement patterns
- GaitThe cyclic, alternating single-leg pattern of walking and running that carries the body across the ground — the base of most field and endurance sport.
- JumpThe plyometric pattern of projecting the body off the ground through explosive triple extension and controlling the landing — the core expression of lower-body power.
Coaching concepts
- Decision-Making PracticeTraining athletes to read cues and choose the right action under pressure — coupling perception to action, not just rehearsing physical technique in isolation.
- Small-Sided GamesPractising in scaled-down versions of a sport — fewer players, smaller area — so skills and decisions happen more often in a game-like setting.
Skills Academy
- Team-play skillsThe skills that make a team work — combining, covering and communicating through the ball.
- Object-control skillsHandling a ball or implement — controlling, receiving, passing and moving it with intent.
- Ball-sport skillsThe skills that recur across ball games — control, passing, dribbling, shooting and defending.
- Coordination & timing skillsSkills that depend on doing the right thing at the right instant — jumping, spiking, heading and rebounding.
Keep going
A sport is most rewarding alongside good habits, sensible nutrition and people to share it with. Here is where to go next.
How movement supports body and mind.
Eat well to feel and perform better.
Build routines that stick.
Ways to meet others and play together.
Where to play and what to expect.
Browse the full list by category.