Handball is a fast-paced team sport where players throw, catch, and dribble a ball with their hands, trying to score goals by throwing the ball past a goalkeeper into a net. The game is played on an indoor court about the size of a basketball court, with seven players on each team.

In handball, players run down the court passing the ball to teammates, similar to basketball, but they can only hold the ball for three seconds before passing or shooting. Players can take three steps while holding the ball, then must dribble, pass, or shoot. The goalkeeper is the only player allowed in the semi-circular area in front of the goal, called the goal area.

Handball is hugely popular in Europe, especially in countries like Denmark, France, and Germany, where championship matches fill arenas with thousands of fans. The sport requires speed, coordination, and teamwork. Players need strong throwing arms to fire shots past the goalkeeper, who must react instantly to block high-speed throws.

The word can also refer to other sports: team handball (the game described above), American handball (played by hitting a small rubber ball against a wall with your hand), or a rule violation in soccer when a player illegally touches the ball with their hand or arm.