A high-scoring sand version of handball played four-a-side on a small court, rewarding spectacular spin and in-flight passing shots.
Origin and rules
Beach handball was developed in Italy in 1992 as a summer adaptation of indoor handball. The International Handball Federation added it to its programme in 1995 and now sanctions World Championships and the World Beach Games.
How it plays
Four players per side play two 10-minute sets, each scored independently. Routine goals score one point, while spin shots, dives, and goalkeeper goals each score two. If sets are split, a five-throw shootout decides the match. Body checks are not permitted.
Competition
The IHF Beach Handball World Championship and the European Beach Handball Championship are the marquee events. Brazil, Norway, Croatia, Denmark, and Hungary lead the elite ranks. Beach handball features at the World Beach Games but is not on the Olympic programme.
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Beach Handball starts with B and ends with L. Browse other sports along the same letter.
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