It is a team sport in which two teams of seven players each (six field players and a goalkeeper) pass and bounce a ball to throw it into the goal of the opposing team.
1. - HISTORY
Sport originated in Germany. It was created in 1919 by Karl Schelenz, a P.E. teacher in Berlin. In 1936 it was included in the Berlin Olympic Games, but it disappeared from the Olympics until the Munich Olympic Games (1972). Nowadays Spain is one of the leading competitors in the world (Gold medalist at the World Championships in 2005, bronze at the ´96 Atlanta O.G. and the 2000 Sydney games).
2. - THE PLAYING COURT
Rectangle measuring 40x20 m.
3. - DURATION OF THE GAME
The game consists of 2x30-minute halves with a 10-min half time break. Overtime: consists of 2x5-minute periods (the teams change benches at half time but there is no break).
4. - THE TEAMS. THE REFEREES Each team has 6 court players and a goalie (7 players). Substitutes may enter the game at any time: unlimited substitutions. There are two referees. Field players:
Field players are allowed to touch the ball with any part of their bodies above the knee (knee included).
A player who is in possession of the ball may stand stationary for only three seconds and may only take three steps. They must then shoot, pass or dribble the ball. Taking more than three steps is a foul: “traveling”.
When a player dribbles, his hand can contact only the top of the ball. After the ball is picked up again, the player has the right to another three seconds or three steps.
The ball must then be passed or shot, if he dribbles again it is a foul: "double dribble".
Goalkeeper:
Only the goalkeeper is allowed move within the goal-area, although he may not cross the goal area line while carrying or dribbling the ball. Within the goal-area, he is allowed to touch the ball with all parts of his body including his feet.
If the goalkeeper deflects the ball over the end-line, his team stays in possession of the ball in contrast to other sports like football. The goalkeeper resumes the play with a throw from within the zone (goalkeeper throw).
Passing to your own goalkeeper results in a turnover.
5.- UNDERSTANDING THE GAME
Throw-off (saque de centro):
A throw-off takes place from the center of the court. The thrower must touch the center-line (línea de medio campo) with one foot and all of the other players must be in the half of their team. The defending players must keep a distance of at least three meters to the thrower. A throw-off occurs at the beginn ing of each period and after the opposing team scored a goal.
Throw-in (saque de banda):
When the ball crosses the side-line (línea de banda) or touches the ceiling, the team which did not touch the ball last makes a throw-in. If the ball crosses the end-line, a throw-in is only awarded if the defending field players touched the balls last. All defending players must keep a distance of three meters.
Goalkeeper-throw (saque de portería): If the attacking team throws the ball over the end-line or when the goalkeeper deflects the ball over the end-line, a goalkeeper-throw is awarded to the defending team.
Free-throw (lanzamiento de falta): A free-throw restarts the play after a foul. If the foul takes places between the free-throw line and the goal-area line, the throw is done on the free-throw line [sería un “golpe franco”].
7-meter throw (lanzamiento de 7 metros o penalti): A 7-meter throw is awarded when the defending team makes a foul when the attacking team has a clear chance to score. The thrower steps with one foot on the 7-meter line with only the defending goalkeeper between him and the goal. The goalkeeper must keep a distance of three meters which is marked by the 4-meter line. All other players must remain behind the free-throw line until execution.
6. – SKILLS
Positions:
Left and right wings (extremos).
Circle runner (pivote).
Left and right backcourts (laterales).
Centre backcourt (central).
