Handball is a team sport played between two teams of seven players each, with the aim of throwing a ball into the goal of the opposing team. The game is played on a rectangular court measuring 40m in length and 20m in width, with a goal in the middle of each end. The goals are surrounded by a 6-meter zone where only the defending goalkeeper is allowed, and goals must be scored by throwing the ball from outside the zone or while "diving" into it. The game is usually played indoors, but outdoor variants exist in the forms of field handball, Czech handball, and beach handball.

The game consists of two 30-minute time periods with a 10/15 minute rest in between. All players alternate between an attacking position and a defending position, depending on who has possession of the ball. Players can throw, catch, stop, push or hit the ball, by using their hands, head, torso, thighs, and knees. They cannot touch the ball with their feet or with any part below the knee. Players can hold the ball for a maximum of three seconds before having to pass or dribble, and they can take up to three steps while holding the ball. Defenders may use their body to make contact with attackers to prevent them from having a clear shot at goal, while attackers attempt to break through the defense or shoot over the top of them to score a goal.

The objective of the game is to throw the ball into the opponents goal, with each goal counting as one point. The team that scores the most goals in a match is declared the winner, and the game can also end up in a tie. Handball is a body-contact sport, and attacking strategies are encouraged, while passive play leads to a warning and loss of possession for the team.

Handball is played throughout five continents, by over 180 countries and 19 million people of all ages. It is a fascinating game that combines speed, strength, stamina, agility, technical precision, skill, and teamwork, and has become one of the fastest-paced and exciting Olympic sports.