Not as known or played proficiently in the United States, team handball has similarities with more commonly known sports such as basketball, hockey and soccer.
But, just like basketball, hockey and soccer, team handball is a sport that places its players in positions that enhance their athletic abilities.
Owen McFadden is the director of recreational sports at Furman University. Of the 22 years he has held the position McFadden has coached and played the sport of team handball since 1997.
McFadden understands the positions in team handball and what player best fits in what position.
"There are six players plus a goalkeeper so you have seven," he said. "If you sub too early, if one comes on before another leaves the court, then you get a two minute penalty just as in hockey. You also can get yellow cards and red cards depending upon the type of fouls that you commit."
"You have your goalkeeper who can also be a court player," McFadden added. "The goalkeeper can run out, but the goalkeeper can't bring the ball out from the goal area. He would have to make a pass to one of his teammates and then he can come outside the six-meter line and be a regular court player."
"The circle runner, if you are trying to describe the position, is a person who sets picks," he said. "You have two wing players, a left and right, and three back court players."
Just as in many other sports, team handball players are placed in certain positions because of their characteristics.
"Your quicker, shorter players are at the wing position because of the tough angle," said McFadden. "You have got to jump up and out to get a good angle on the goal to score. It's a really tough position. You've really got to pick somebody good to train someone on the wing position and on the proper way to execute that shot."
"The three back court players are usually your tallest and strongest throwers," McFadden added. "They can do a couple of things. They can get the ball jumping and throwing. If they have a strong enough arm, they can throw from 10-12 meters out and try to beat the goalkeeper. But, primarily, what they try to do is penetrate the line and jump and score."
Defensively, are the positions the same or are there different players?
"On defense the players are the same," McFadden said. "The sides of the court switch. If you are the right wing you are going to run straight back and defend against the other, the left wing."
"The players run in a straight line up and down the court guarding that same area," he continued. "They call one defender, two defenders and three defenders. There are three and two defenders and they are your biggest players because you want them in the middle of the court to stop those people that can jump."
