Two teams of seven (six court players and a goalkeeper) pass a ball with their hands and throw it into the other team's goal. It is fast: lots of running, passing and shooting.
How a goal is scored
The ball must cross the goal line into the goal. Only the goalkeeper may stand in the goal area, the zone marked 6 m out from the goal, so shooters throw from outside it, often jumping over it. A game is two halves of 30 minutes; the team with more goals wins.
How the ball moves
A player may take up to three steps holding the ball and hold it for up to three seconds. To go further they bounce it (dribble), but once they stop dribbling they may not start again.
Fouls
Pushing, holding, hitting, more than three steps, a second dribble or stepping into the goal area gives the other team a free throw. A foul that stops a clear chance to score gives a 7-metre throw, a shot with only the keeper to beat.
Rules children break first
No more than three steps with the ball.
Stay out of the goal area unless you are the keeper.
One dribble only: bounce, catch, then pass or shoot.
No pushing or grabbing.
At home you start at a wall
Throwing and catching at a target, dribbling, the three-step shot and keeper saves with a soft ball; then small games in a park or hall.
Words you will hear (28, in plain language)
Court player
The six players who run, pass and shoot, and the keeper who guards the goal.
Goal area
The D-shaped zone in front of each goal, 6 m out; only the keeper may be in it.
Three-step rule
A player may take at most three steps while holding the ball.
Three-second rule
A player may hold the ball for at most three seconds.
Dribble
Bouncing the ball with one hand while moving.
Double dribble
Starting to dribble again after catching the ball; not allowed.
Overarm throw
A throw with the arm coming over the shoulder, the elbow high.
Bounce pass
A pass that bounces once on the way, or one thrown from above the head.
Jump shot
A shot thrown while jumping, often over the goal-area line.
Fake
Pretending to go or throw one way, then going the other.
Sidestep
A quick step to one side to get past a defender.
Piston movement
Attackers moving forward to receive and back again, like a piston, to pull defenders out.
Throw-off
The throw from the middle that starts the game and restarts it after each goal.
Free throw
An unopposed throw after a foul.
7-metre throw
A penalty shot from 7 m with only the keeper to beat.
Fast break
Running forward quickly as soon as the ball is won, before the defence is set.
Stance
The defender's ready position: feet wide, knees bent, arms up.
Marking
Staying close to an attacker.
Shifting
Defenders moving sideways together to close gaps.
Interception
Catching a pass meant for an attacker.
Zone defence
Defenders guarding areas instead of players; in a 5:1, five stand near the goal-area line and one further out.
Person-to-person defence
Each defender guards one attacker.
Wing
Positions. Wings play by the sidelines; back-court players shoot from distance; the centre back runs the attack; the line player works on the goal-area line among the defenders.
Lanes
Strips of the court used in practice to keep attackers spread out.
Mini handball
A small game for children: four court players and a keeper.
Grid ball
A passing game where players throw and catch but may not move with the ball.
Keep-ball
A game where one team keeps the ball from the other by passing.
Lob shot
A shot floated over the keeper, or one that spins and changes direction after bouncing.
Nobody is late. A beginner of any age starts at Basic.
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Basic7 cards · show· hideAges 3 to 5 explore the ball in play; ages 6 to 9 learn the throwing motion, catching, dribbling and fair play in mini handball with four players and a keeper. One or two sessions a week, with no special technique, tactics or fitness training yet.
Move on whenthe child meets the self-checks on b1 to b6; b7 is for every child who takes a turn in goal (everyone tries, nobody is forced).
Intermediate3 cards · show· hideFor about 10 to 13: the basic skills of the game: moving forward and back to pull defenders out, the sidestep, fakes, the jump shot, a zone defence and fast breaks. Skill comes first, then endurance, agility and strength, and positions are not given out yet.
Move on whenthe player can play a small-sided game with correct shots and fakes.
Advanced3 cards · show· hideFrom about 14, players are chosen for attack and defence positions, learn to fall safely, and goalkeeping becomes its own path; later come every defensive skill for everyone, spin, lob and volley shots, and team systems. Technique needs time to settle again during the growth spurt, for girls especially.
More space and a second person. A grown-up can run every card.
You do not need to know the sport. Each card tells you where to stand, what to say and what to look at.
Pick one thing to say in a session and say only that. The first week looks messy; that is normal.
End every session on one that works.
Cards marked At a club are taught by a coach. They tell you what the
coach teaches, what is safe at home, and what to ask the club before your child joins.