Volleyball vs. Handball — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on February 28, 2024
Volleyball is a team sport where players use their hands to hit a ball over a net, aiming to ground it on the opponent's side. Handball is a fast paced sport where teams pass and bounce ball using their hands, aiming to throw it into the opponent's goal.
Difference Between Volleyball and Handball
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Volleyball involves two teams of six players separated by a high net, with the objective of hitting the ball over the net into the opponent's court without it being returned. The ball is played with the hands and arms, and each team is allowed up to three touches before the ball must be returned over the net. Handball, conversely, is played by two teams of seven players (including a goalkeeper) on a rectangular court with a goal at each end. The aim is to score by throwing the ball into the opponent's goal. Players can pass, hold, and bounce the ball, but they must not step into the crease area around the goal.
The volleyball game emphasizes skills such as spiking, blocking, and setting, with points scored by grounding the ball on the opponent's side, the opponent committing errors, or failing to return the ball properly. Handball is characterized by its fast pace, physical contact, and high scoring, with players utilizing dribbling, passing, and shooting skills to outmaneuver opponents.
Volleyball prohibits players from touching the net and requires the ball to be played over the net, handball involves direct shots at a goal, with the goalkeeper acting as the primary defense. Volleyball matches are played in sets, where a team must win a majority of predetermined sets, while handball is played over two halves, with the team scoring the most goals declared the winner.
The playing surface and equipment also differ significantly between the two sports. Volleyball is played on a hard court or sand for beach volleyball, with a lightweight ball designed for aerial play. Handball is played on an indoor court with a smaller, heavier ball suitable for throwing and catching. These differences in gameplay, objectives, and equipment highlight the unique characteristics and challenges of each sport.
Understanding the distinctions between volleyball and handball is crucial for players, coaches, and enthusiasts, as each sport requires a unique set of skills, strategies, and physical conditioning. Whether aiming for precision and teamwork over a net or fast-paced scoring through a goal, both sports offer dynamic and engaging team play experiences.
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Comparison Chart
Objective
Ground the ball on the opponent's side.
Score goals by throwing the ball into the opponent's goal.
Team Composition
Six players on court.
Seven players on court, including a goalkeeper.
Key Skills
Spiking, blocking, setting.
Dribbling, passing, shooting.
Scoring
Points scored by grounding the ball, errors, or faults by the opponent.
Goals scored by throwing the ball into the opponent's net.
Play Area
Hard court or sand (beach volleyball).
Indoor court.
Equipment
Lightweight ball designed for play over a net.
Smaller, heavier ball suitable for throwing and catching.
Game Structure
Matches are played in sets.
Played over two halves.
Physical Contact
Minimal physical contact allowed.
Moderate physical contact allowed.
Compare with Definitions
Volleyball
Played on a court divided by a net.
They set up the volleyball net for a beach match.
Handball
Features high scoring and physical play.
The handball match ended with a high score due to aggressive offensive plays.
Volleyball
A team sport where players hit a ball over a net.
The volleyball team practiced spiking and serving for the upcoming tournament.
Handball
Played on an indoor court with goals.
The indoor handball court was prepared for the national championship.
Volleyball
Points scored by grounding the ball on the opponent's side.
The decisive point in the volleyball game came from a powerful spike.
Handball
Players use their hands to throw the ball into a goal.
The handball player scored with a powerful throw from the wing.
Volleyball
Emphasizes teamwork and strategic plays.
The team won the volleyball match by executing perfect sets and blocks.
Handball
Combines elements of basketball and soccer.
Handball requires dribbling like basketball and goal-scoring like soccer.
Volleyball
Requires precise hand-eye coordination.
Volleyball players develop exceptional hand-eye coordination to handle serves and volleys.
Handball
Handball (also known as team handball, European handball or Olympic handball) is a team sport in which two teams of seven players each (six outcourt players and a goalkeeper) pass a ball using their hands with the aim of throwing it into the goal of the other team. A standard match consists of two periods of 30 minutes, and the team that scores more goals wins.
Volleyball
Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.
Handball
A game similar to fives, in which the ball is hit with the hand in a walled court.
Volleyball
A game for two teams, usually of six players, in which a large ball is hit by hand over a high net, the aim being to score points by making the ball reach the ground on the opponent's side of the court.
Handball
A fast-paced team sport aiming to score goals.
The handball team's fast breaks overwhelmed their opponents.
Volleyball
A game played by two teams on a rectangular court divided by a high net, in which each team, using up to three hits per effort to return the ball, tries to drive the ball over the net onto the ground on the opposing team's side.
Handball
(uncountable) A team sport where two teams of seven players each (six players and a goalkeeper) pass and bounce a ball trying to throw it in the goal of the opposing team.
Volleyball
A game in which two teams hit an inflated ball over a high net using their hands
Handball
An act of passing a football by holding it with one hand and hitting it with the other.
Handball
A game played with such a ball, as by players striking it to and fro between them with the hands, or, when played in a walled court or against a single wall, striking it in turns against a wall, until one side or the other fails to return the ball.
Handball
A game played in a walled court or against a single wall by two or four players who strike a rubber ball with their hands
Common Curiosities
Can volleyball players touch the net?
No, touching the net during play is considered a fault.
What is the main objective of volleyball?
The main objective is to ground the ball in the opponent's court.
How do handball players score?
Players score by throwing the ball into the opponent's goal.
How is physical contact regulated in handball?
Moderate physical contact is permitted, but overly aggressive behavior is penalized.
What is the key defensive position in handball?
The goalkeeper is the key defensive position, tasked with preventing goals.
What are the dimensions of a handball court?
A standard court is 40 meters long and 20 meters wide.
Is physical contact allowed in volleyball?
Minimal physical contact is allowed, primarily accidental during play.
How many sets are played in a volleyball match?
Matches are usually played to the best of five sets.
What makes a handball unique compared to a volleyball?
A handball is smaller and heavier, designed for throwing and catching.
Can handball be played outdoors?
While primarily an indoor sport, there are outdoor variants like beach handball.
What's the role of a libero in volleyball?
A libero is a defensive specialist not allowed to serve or rotate to the front row.
What's the significance of the 3-meter line in volleyball?
It marks the boundary for back-row players to jump before hitting the ball, aiming to prevent front-row dominance.
How does a handball game start?
Games start with a throw-off from the center court after the referee's whistle.
What are common strategies in volleyball?
Strategies include serving aggressively, setting up strategic plays, and executing well-timed blocks and spikes.
How many timeouts can a handball team take?
Teams are typically allowed one timeout per half.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
