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Introduction

Equal- Op Handball is designed as an activity to incorporate the concept of "inclusion" (one of the great legacies of Dr. Muska Mosston) into an otherwise exclusionary competitive sport activity. We call the overall concept "Competitive Fairness � ." In simplest terms, the game rules and equipment, provide you with the discretionary ability to "level the playing field." By doing so, you maintain interest in the activity for both achievers and non- achievers; the skilled and the unskilled alike.

Equalizer Goals

At the heart of Equal- Op Handball (and a number of other activities as well) are our completely unique Equalizer Goals. These goals are designed to work with our Big Red � Base Deluxe System and push- button, height- adjustable, aluminum posts. What sets these large- mouth rectangular goals apart from anything else on the market is the ability to also adjust the angle of the goal opening (in 5 degree increments) from vertical to horizontal. When combined with the ability to adjust goal height (using the push button height adjustments on the posts) and even location (by shifting the position away from players or even at angles to the players), you are in ultimate control of the game. The key here is to learn how to recognize a lop- sided game situation and when to make adjustments. Some prefer to adjust goals during a game when a score begins to get out of hand, while others prefer to wait until games are over. You quickly learn what suits your situation best. It's probably best to mix up your reactions, so as to keep savvy players off balance. If your changes are predictable, you'll find that better teams will develop strategies to hold back until the end of the game.

The Game Of Equal- Op Handball

Equal- Op Handball maximizes the inclusion possibilities of Handball (called Team Handball in the U. S.); Europe's second most popular team sport. Team Handball requires teamwork and encourages active participation with maximized physical movement. The nature of the game also makes it ideal as a mixed gender sport and a great opportunity to mainstream the differently abled.

A Fair Beginning To A No- Contact Game

There are never goalies in an Equal- Op Handball game. All games begin with goals set at their lowest heights (61" Badminton height, adjustable to 96") and in either their vertical positions for throwing games or horizontal positions for basketball- shot games. In both cases the Big Red Base is placed just outside of the end line. When in the horizontal, basketball position, goals are placed facing forward and extend over the court.

5� Moves And 6" Adjustments Will Keep It "Even Steven"

Equalizer Goals are designed to provide you with maximum controls for "leveling the playing field." This leveling is accomplished by changing the difficulty levels of scoring a goal. You can accomplish this by changing the angle of the 3'W x 2'H goal mouth. Goals can be adjusted in 5� increments from vertical to horizontal using the built- in, quick- lever- actuated, dead- lock, heavy duty hinges. In addition, you can easily change post heights from 61" to 96" in 6" push-button increments. Changes can be made at your discretion, either during the game or prior to the next game. The idea is not to let one game get completely out of hand and to equalize the playing conditions of the subsequent game. As a rule of thumb, 5� changes should be made any time one team's score becomes 5 points greater than the others.

Playing It Safe

There's one golden rule in Equal- Op Handball� NO CONTACT EVER! This rule must be strictly enforced so that it becomes ingrained as an attribute of the sport. You'll find that if the following rules are strictly enforced, teams will become self- policing and you'll be able to focus on skill development and fun.

1. The first incident of any physical contact (accidental or otherwise) by any player results in a team warning. Contact is considered to be made when one player touches any part of the body of an opposing player (whether that player has possession of the ball or not) or contacts the ball while it is still in the hand( s) of an opposing player.
2. The second incident of contact by any other player on that same team results in the deduction of one goal point (a score of 0 is reduced to -1), with an additional goal point deducted for each additional contact.
3. Three contacts charged to a single player during one game results in that player's removal for the remainder of the game. A substitute player may be brought in. However, if any contact is judged to be intentional, the team may not substitute and must finish the game a player short. No one team can play short more than one player. If two or more players on the same team are removed for intentional contact, the player- down penalty will be assessed during the following game(s).

The Rules Of Play

Equal- Op Handball combines the skills of throwing, catching, running, jumping, along with offensive and defensive strategies into a fast- moving, exciting game. Elements of games such as basketball, hockey, soccer and lacrosse can be seen in this activity. The basic objective of the game is to outmaneuver the opponent by passing the ball quickly and then throwing the ball past the defense to score.

Playing Court:

The most significant line on the court is the 19' (6 meter) line or goal area line. The area enclosed by the 19' (6 meter) line is called the goal area or the "circle." Only the goalie is allowed to stand inside the goal area. However, an offensive or defensive player may be in the air over the circle as long as their take off was from outside of the goal area line. The player cannot interfere with play in any way after landing in the goal area and must exit in the shortest route possible. The 29' (9 meter) line or, the free throw line, is used for minor penalties in the game. The 23' (7 meter) line or, penalty line, is used for a major penalty.

A regulation court is 65' x 131' (20 x 40 meters), but the game can be easily adapted to a smaller area. The width of the court is more important than the length.

The goal area is made by marking a straight line 3 meters long at a distance of 6 meters from the goal line. The ends of this line are connected to the goal line by making a quarter circle with a radius of 19' (6 meters) from the back inside corners of the goal posts. The free circle throw line is done in the same manner, except the line is dashed and uses a radius of 9 meters. It is recommended that floor markings be made with 2" wide floor tape.

The ball varies in size and weight for the group participating.

Duration Of The Game:

The official game is played in two 30- minute halves with a 10- minute intermission. There are no time outs except for injuries or other major interruptions, as determined by the referees. Playing time can be modified for your group and should be based on ability or your time allotment.

The Players:

Each team has 7 players, 6 court players and 1 goalie on the court. All players may play over the whole court. Substitutions may take place at any time without notifying the timekeeper as long as the player replaced has already left the court. Players are designated by the position they play. The following diagram shows a basic offense and the names of each position.

Beginning The Game:

A coin is flipped to determine who will have possession of the ball. Following the official's whistle, the game is started at center court by a throw- off, which is a pass to a teammate. The same procedure is followed after each goal is scored with the team which conceded the goal executing the throw- off.

Goal Area:

Only the goalie is allowed to stand inside the goal area. If an offensive player is in the circle or on the line, with or without the ball, the ball is given to the opponent and a goal does not count. If the defense gains an advantage by being in the circle, a penalty throw is awarded. A ball inside the goal area belongs to the goalie. However, the ball is not considered to be in the goal area if it is in the air.

Playing The Ball:

A player is allowed to run 3 steps with the ball or hold it for 3 seconds. A player is not allowed to play the ball with the legs below the knee. There is no limit on dribbling the ball. However, a double dribble is not allowed and free throw is given to the opponents. A player may:

• Take 3 steps (dribble as many times desired), then pass or shoot. A player may not pass in the air with the intention of catching it himself while advancing down the court. This is an air dribble and is not legal. Players are not allowed to dive to play the ball when it is on the floor.

Defending The Opponent:

A player is NOT allowed to use the body to obstruct an opponent either with or without the ball. The offensive player is not allowed to charge into a defensive player (a free throw is awarded).

Throw- In:

A throw- in is taken if the ball goes out of bounds on the side line. The defense must be 10' (3 meters) away when the ball is passed in bounds. The player taking the throw- in must have at least one foot on the side line. A throw- in is taken down in the area of the nearest corner when a defensive player (excluding the goalie) is the last to touch the ball as it goes out of bounds over the goal line.

Referee's Throw:

A referee's throw is taken when the ball touches anything above the court (i. e., equipment on the ceiling), or the game has been interrupted with an infringement of the rules and neither team is in possession of the ball. The execution is basically a "jump ball" with any one player from each team standing next to the referee and all other players 3 meters away. With the toss, the two players may reach and grab the ball or direct it to a teammate, but not until it has reached its apex and has started downward.

Goals:

Goals may be scored from all formal throws (i. e., throw- in, throw- on from center of court, and goal- throw by goalie out of his/ her area onto the playing court).

Penalty Throws And Free Throws:

A) A penalty throw is given when an offensive player is fouled and the referee feels that the offense had a sure chance to score when fouled. The officials follow the "advantage" rule: If a team fouled against is able to gain the advantage, play continues without a penalty.

B) A free throw is given for all other fouls and infringements of the rules, similar to a violation in basketball. The free throw is taken immediately, without the referee handling the ball, from the place the violation occurred. The defense must remain 3 meters away. The thrower must have one foot continuously in contact with the court and must make a throw or pass within 3 seconds. If the foul or infringement occurs between the goal line and the free throw line, the free throw is taken just outside of the free throw line just opposite from where the foul took place. The "advantage" rule applies to free throws also.