Handball

A team sport in which two teams of seven players pass a ball using their hands, with the aim of throwing it into the goal of the other team. It came to prominence in Scandinavia and Germany in the late 19th century before expanding across Europe.
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What is handball?

Modern handball is played on a court with a goal in the middle of each end. Goals must be scored by throwing the ball from outside the zone or while diving into it. Whilst handball is usually played indoors, outdoor variants exist such as field handball, Czech handball, and beach handball.

The game is fast and high-scoring, with professional teams tending to score between 20-35 goals per game. Body contact is permitted for the defenders trying to stop the attackers from approaching the goal.

Find out more about how to play handball formats.

Equipment needed

  • Ball
  • Goals
  • Court space (either indoors or outdoors)

Get involved

The School Games is inclusive to all young people and provides opportunities for everyone to get involved, either within school, against other local schools, or at county or regional level.

School Games Organisers

School Games Organisers (SGO) help schools coordinate appropriate competitive opportunities for all young people from Key Stage 2-4, to recruit, train and deploy a suitable workforce, and to support the development of club.

Sign up to find your local SGO

School Games formats

Learn more about the School Games formats suitable for handball competitions:

PDF

Handball Primary Challenge

Mini Handball
PDF

Handball Primary Competition

In 5 Minutes
PDF

Handball Secondary Competition

Traditional, Zone Handball, Try Handball
PDF

Why Handball?

National Schools Competition

Quick and easy handball activities

Be it 10-minute or lesson-length activities, we have a range of activities suitable for all ages and abilities to encourage young people to stay active throughout the day.

Nudge Up Handball: Pivot Shooting

Nudge Up: Pivot shooting is an activity that develops pupil’s co-ordination and shooting skills, in relation to handball. Activity: Individ…

Duration:

Less than 30mins

Equipment:

None

Key stage:

Key Stage 1, Key Stage 3, Key Stage 2, Key Stage 4

Nudge Up Handball: Throwing Challenge

Nudge Up: Throwing challenge is a fun throwing and catching activity that develops specific skills that will help students to develop in ha…

Duration:

Less than 10mins

Equipment:

Basic

Key stage:

Key Stage 1, Key Stage 3, Key Stage 2, Key Stage 4

Nudge Up Handball: Reaction Challenge

Nudge Up: Reaction challenge is a fast-paced co-ordination handball activity that encourages pupils to react quickly to balls being deliver…

Duration:

Less than 10mins

Equipment:

Basic

Key stage:

Key Stage 1, Key Stage 3, Key Stage 2, Key Stage 4

Nudge Up Handball: Beat the Opposition

Nudge Up: Handball beat the opposition, is a fun challenge that introduces pupils to tactics to beat their opponent in handball. Activity: …

Duration:

Less than 10mins

Equipment:

Basic

Key stage:

Key Stage 1, Key Stage 3, Key Stage 2, Key Stage 4
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