Have you ever wondered what the difference between volleyball and handball is? Although the two sports are quite similar, their subtle differences make them incredibly unique.
In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the similarities and differences between the two sports, including the court, ball, rules and regulations, number of players, positioning, and objective of the games, as well as their respective levels of popularity.
Read on to learn more!
Table of Contents
Short Answer
Volleyball and handball are both team sports that involve throwing, catching, and hitting a ball.
However, volleyball is played with a large, inflated ball while handball is played with a smaller, hard ball.
The court for volleyball is much larger than for handball, and volleyball is generally played with six players on each side, while handball is typically played with seven players per side.
Additionally, the rules for each sport are slightly different, with handball rules allowing players to take more steps with the ball than volleyball rules.
The Court
When it comes to the differences between volleyball and handball, one of the most obvious is the court each sport is played on.
Volleyball is typically played on a court with six players on each side, while handball is usually played on a court with seven players on each side.
This difference in the number of players on each side affects the dynamic of each game dramatically, as it gives handball teams more players to pass and shoot with, allowing for a much faster-paced and aggressive game.
Additionally, the court size for each sport varies – volleyball courts are larger than handball courts, as handball requires more advanced agility and balance due to its smaller court size.
When it comes to the court layout, volleyball courts have a net in the middle that divides the court into two halves, while handball courts do not have a net.
This difference means that in volleyball, players must hit the ball over the net in order to score points, while in handball, players must throw the ball into the goal in order to score points.
This also means that the way in which players must approach each sport is different; in volleyball, players have to be aware of the net and how to use it to their advantage, while in handball, players must focus more on their accuracy and agility in order to be successful.
The Ball
When it comes to the difference between volleyball and handball, one of the most notable differences is the size and weight of the ball.
Volleyballs are typically larger and lighter than handballs, making them easier to throw and hit.
Volleyballs usually measure around 65-67 cm in circumference and weigh about 260-280 grams, while handballs typically measure around 58-60 cm in circumference and weigh about 425-475 grams.
This difference in size and weight means that the two sports require different skills and techniques to master.
In volleyball, players must be able to volley the ball over the net with accuracy and power, while in handball, players must be able to throw the ball with precision and power.
Additionally, the larger size of the volleyball makes it easier to set up a rally, as the ball can be hit back and forth over the net with more ease than a smaller handball.
Rules and Regulations
When it comes to the rules and regulations of volleyball and handball, there are some key differences that make each sport unique.
In volleyball, players are not allowed to touch the ball twice in succession, while in handball, they can.
This rule exists in both sports to prevent players from monopolizing the ball, making it difficult for the opposing team to gain possession.
In addition, the rules of volleyball dictate that players can only use their hands to hit the ball, while in handball, players can use their hands, arms, heads, and even feet to hit the ball.
This allows for a more dynamic game of handball, as players can use a variety of body parts to hit the ball.
Another difference between the two sports is the size of the court.
In volleyball, the court is divided into two sides with six players on each side.
On the other hand, handball is played on a court with seven players on each side.
This difference in court size allows for a more competitive game of handball, as the larger court size allows for more players and thus more chances for a goal to be scored.
Finally, the objective of the two sports is different.
In volleyball, the aim is to hit the ball over the net in order to score points, while in handball, the aim is to throw the ball into the goal.
This difference in objectives means that the strategies used for each sport are very different, and require players to think in different ways in order to be successful.
Overall, the rules and regulations of volleyball and handball are very different.
While both sports involve throwing and hitting a ball, the different rules and regulations mean that the games are played differently and require different strategies in order to be successful.
Number of Players
When it comes to the number of players, volleyball and handball offer some stark contrasts.
Volleyball is played on a court with six players on each side, while handball is played on a court with seven players on each side.
This difference in the number of players on each side is one of the key distinctions between volleyball and handball, and it affects the way each game is played.
In volleyball, the court is divided into two halves and each team has six players, with three players in the front row and three players in the back.
This arrangement allows for quick passing between the front and back lines and allows for a fast-paced game.
In handball, each team has seven players, with four players in the back row and three players in the front row.
This arrangement allows for more offense and defense, and the additional player in the back row gives the team more flexibility in setting up plays.
Additionally, the extra player in the back row allows for more support for the players in the front row, allowing for a more dynamic and strategic game.
Positioning
When it comes to positioning, volleyball and handball have some distinct differences.
In volleyball, two teams of six players face off against each other on a court divided into two sides.
Each side is allowed three players in each of the front, middle, and back rows.
This allows for a dynamic game of offense and defense as each team tries to get the ball over the net and score a point.
In handball, two teams of seven players compete against each other on a court divided into two halves.
Each team is allowed two players in the front row and three in the back.
This allows for a more offensive style of play, as teams can quickly move the ball up the court and attack the opposing team’s goal.
The additional player in handball also allows for more passing and maneuverability, making the game faster and more exciting.
Objective of the Games
When it comes to the objective of the games, volleyball and handball could not be more different.
In volleyball, the goal is to hit the ball over the net in order to score points, while in handball, the aim is to throw the ball into the goal.
This difference is due to the size of the court and the number of players on each side.
In volleyball, there are only six players on each side, which means that the court is relatively small and the ball is larger.
This makes it easier for players to hit the ball over the net.
In handball, there are seven players on each side, which means the court is larger and the ball is smaller.
This makes it more difficult to hit the ball over the net, so instead players must throw the ball into the goal in order to score points.
Popularity
When it comes to popularity, volleyball and handball are both popular sports that have been played around the world for many years.
While volleyball is more widely known in the United States and Europe, handball is quite popular in other parts of the world, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, and parts of Asia.
Both sports involve throwing and hitting a ball, but the rules, regulations, and objectives of each game are quite different.
When it comes to the popularity of the two sports, volleyball is typically considered the more popular of the two, with more people playing it around the world and more professional leagues available.
Handball, on the other hand, is still gaining in popularity and has a smaller, but dedicated, fan base.
Final Thoughts
Volleyball and handball are two widely popular sports, each with their own unique set of rules, court size, and objective.
While they may look similar at a first glance, the differences between the two are quite distinct.
Now that you know more about the differences between volleyball and handball, why not try them both out? You may find that one is more suited to your skills and interests than the other.