Handball is a fascinating game played throughout five continents by over 180 countries and 19 million people all ages. Its most popular indoor version has been part of the Summer Olympics program since 1972 with numerous highly contested national, continental, inter-continental, and world events, including Olympic Games and World Championships.
Beach Handball is a relatively new "kid on the block" and its first official rules were officially recognized by the International Handball Federation (IHF) in 1994. However, the sport has been growing exponentially ever since. It will be featured during 2013 World Games, and has chances to debut, as a separate event from indoor handball, in the 2020 or 2024 Olympic Games. The IHF and other continental federations are actively promoting both versions of handball at all levels with some players specializing in beach handball, and others crossing-over to both editions.
Mini-handball is a unique, modified version of the game for youth in which they learn by playing, enjoying time together, engaging in healthy fitness activities, and establishing basic technical and tactical competencies in a low-competitive environment. It is more than a miniature version of the adult game. It is a true sport philosophy and a great gateway for all children to become and stay physically active, practice teamwork, make friends, acquire multi-level transferable skills, and have tons of fun!
Street Handball is the newest addition to handball offerings. It was introduced in 1997 in Denmark. It was invented and promoted by famous players and coaches like Lasse Boesen, Ole B. Andersen, and Torben Sorensen. This game takes to the streets and parks, drops all barriers, and allows participants of all ages and ability levels to enjoy handball in its purest, back-yard fashion with minimal rules and equipment requirements.
There is also another derivate of street handball called "one-goal handball" that uses similar rules but is played using a single goal where players switch sides (offense to defense) after scoring a goal or making a turnover. It is one of the EHF's alternative handball games that promotes mass, inexpensive participation, and enjoyment of the sport for all and almost everywhere.
Watch indoor handball HERE
Watch beach handball HERE and HERE
Watch mini-handball HERE and HERE
Watch street handball HERE and HERE
Watch one-goal handball HERE
