FOR STUDENT-ATHLETES

Rules - History - Olympic Values - USA

History Of Team Handball

1. Origins: Handball has ancient origins, with games resembling handball played by the Greeks and Romans thousands of years ago.

2. Modern Beginnings: The modern version began in the late 19th century in northern Europe, especially in Germany and Denmark.

3. First Rules: The first official rules were published in 1906 in Denmark by a teacher named Holger Nielsen.

4. Indoor Version: Originally, handball was played outdoors with 11 players on each side, but the indoor 7-player version became more popular.

5. Women's Handball: Women started playing handball in the 1920s. It quickly grew in popularity among female athletes.

6. First Championships: The first men's World Championships took place in 1938, and the first women's in 1957.

7. Olympics Debut: Handball was first introduced to the Olympics in 1936 as an outdoor sport. However, the indoor version made its Olympic debut in 1972 for men and in 1976 for women.

8. Growth in Popularity: After its inclusion in the Olympics, handball gained popularity worldwide, especially in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.

9. Famous Teams: Countries like France, Denmark, Russia, and Norway have been dominant forces in international handball competitions.

10. Equipment Evolution: The handball itself has evolved over time. Today's balls are made of leather or synthetic material and are tailored to the size of the player's hands.

11. Professional Leagues: Many European countries have professional handball leagues, making it possible for players to make a career out of the sport.

12. International Federation: The International Handball Federation (IHF) is the sport's global governing body. It oversees international competitions and promotes the sport worldwide.

13. World Championships: The IHF organizes World Championships for men and women every two years, which is one of the biggest events in the sport.

14. Defensive Play: The game has evolved over time, with teams focusing more on defensive strategies to prevent opponents from scoring.

15. Youth Handball: Thanks to its global appeal, many countries have youth handball programs, giving kids a chance to learn and play the game from a young age.