team handball
LowSports / Technical
Definition
Meaning
An indoor team sport in which two teams of seven players each pass and throw a ball with the hands, attempting to score by throwing it into the opponent's goal.
The official name for the Olympic sport of 'handball' to distinguish it from other games like American handball (a wall-based racquet sport) or Gaelic handball.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term 'team handball' is primarily used in North America and some other English-speaking regions to specify the Olympic team sport. In most of the world, including Europe where it originated, the sport is simply called 'handball'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, the sport is almost universally called 'handball'. 'Team handball' is a clarifying term used mainly when distinction from other sports is necessary. In American English, 'team handball' is more common as a primary term to avoid confusion with the completely different American wall-ball game called 'handball'.
Connotations
The 'team' prefix in American usage is neutral and descriptive. In British usage, adding 'team' can sound slightly pedantic or like an Americanism.
Frequency
'Handball' is vastly more frequent in UK English. 'Team handball' sees moderate use in US English sports reporting and official contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
play team handballcompete in team handballwatch team handballtrain for team handballteach team handballVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely used outside of sports marketing, e.g., 'Sponsorship opportunities for the national team handball league.'
Academic
Used in sports science, kinesiology, or history of sport contexts.
Everyday
Limited to conversations among sports enthusiasts or participants.
Technical
Standard term in international sports governance documents, rulebooks, and tournament organization.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He handballed professionally for a decade.
- They are learning to handball at the new sports centre.
American English
- She team-handballed throughout college.
- Do you know how to team-handball?
adverb
British English
- They played handball professionally.
- He threw the ball handball-style.
American English
- They trained team-handball regularly.
- The pass was made team-handball-fast.
adjective
British English
- The handball championship was thrilling.
- He's a handball goalkeeper.
American English
- Team-handball rules differ from the wall version.
- It was a team-handball event.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We play team handball in PE class.
- The team handball is black and white.
- Team handball is popular in many European countries.
- A team handball game lasts for 60 minutes.
- Norway's dominance in women's team handball is well-documented.
- The coach emphasised the importance of fast breaks in team handball strategy.
- Despite its limited profile in North America, team handball boasts a sophisticated, globally-recognised professional circuit.
- The biomechanics of the jump shot in elite team handball have been the subject of extensive research.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A TEAM uses their HANDS to BALL – Team Handball.
Conceptual Metaphor
Often described as 'water polo on land' or 'soccer with hands'.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate directly as 'командный гандбол' in international contexts; just 'гандбол' is sufficient as Russian already refers to the team sport. 'Командный' would be redundant.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'handball' alone in an American context, leading to confusion with the wall sport.
- Capitalising it incorrectly (it is not a proper noun unless part of an official title).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'team handball' most necessary as a term?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in the context of the Olympic sport. 'Team handball' is a clarifying term used mainly in North America where 'handball' also refers to a different, wall-based game.
Seven players per team are on the court at one time: one goalkeeper and six outfield players.
The sport is hugely popular in Europe, particularly in Germany, France, Denmark, Spain, and the Nordic countries. It is also well-established in parts of Asia and Africa.
No, players may not run while holding the ball. They can take up to three steps before and after dribbling. The primary movement is achieved by passing or dribbling (bouncing) the ball.