I'm not concerned with your six-year-old nephew. He can also hit a baseball if you toss it slow enough and throw a touchdown if the pass is only a couple feet and there isn't anyone playing defense.

 

I'm curious as to why this sport is so compelling when soccer is not. They are fundamentally the same only handball requires far less of the players to actually generate a goal. If it's the scoring, then I get that. You're not alone.

 

They actually score in handball.

 

I'm not concerned with your six-year-old nephew. He can also hit a baseball if you toss it slow enough and throw a touchdown if the pass is only a couple feet and there isn't anyone playing defense.

 

I'm curious as to why this sport is so compelling when soccer is not. They are fundamentally the same only handball requires far less of the players to actually generate a goal. If it's the scoring, then I get that. You're not alone.

 

You brought the skill argument up, not me. I think soccer requires skill, it's just painful to watch. I'm still not seeing any added degree of skill in soccer vs handball. Kicking a ball isn't really anymore difficult than throwing a ball. They are both a simplistic skill most young children can do.

 

My guess is most six year old in the USA can throw a ball better, than kick a ball!

 

BTW do you honestly see any skill in handball? It reminds me of dodge ball without trying to hit someone!

 

Lets see if one of your handball Goalies could stop a throw from a MLB pitcher like Chapman or maybe a NFL QB like Manning! Skill? Sorry not from what I can see!

 

I addressed the first two in my reply to Getslow. In regards to the last a) I don't know enough about handball to know how fast they are throwing the ball and b) I'm not so sure they could stop it but I'd sure as hell like to see them try.

Denmark employing some crazy strategy here. Brought a non-goalie in to come out of the goal and have an extra player an offense.

 

Always a fan of wild strategy.

You brought the skill argument up, not me. I think soccer requires skill, it's just painful to watch. I'm still not seeing any added degree of skill in soccer vs handball. Kicking a ball isn't really anymore difficult than throwing a ball. They are both a simplistic skill most young children can do.

 

My first response would be that in both handball and soccer, while kicking and throwing are both simple, two things make this more complex than your "kick or throw" comparison -- 1) the elements of playing a game and 2) the added skill to both that comes from age, strength and better control. These make them poor comparisons to a child kicking or throwing around in the backyard. Second, I completely disagree with the notion that there is no added degree of skill in handling the ball with the feet as opposed to the hands.

Apparently the Scandinavian countries play handball more progressively and sometimes use this strategy.

 

This makes me more of a fan of the non-stop substitution in handball.

 

My first response would be that in both handball and soccer, while kicking and throwing are both simple, two things make this more complex than your "kick or throw" comparison -- 1) the elements of playing a game and 2) the added skill to both that comes from age, strength and better control. These make them poor comparisons to a child kicking or throwing around in the backyard. Second, I completely disagree with the notion that there is no added degree of skill in handling the ball with the feet as opposed to the hands.

 

Sure handling the ball is more skilled with your feet (I should have clarified my last response more in that I was talking about the kicking v throwing argument). But we were on the throwing argument.

 

Added degree of difficulty however doesn't always make the product more compelling. In this case the added degree of difficulty in "dribbling" with your feet might be one of the reasons I don't like soccer. Watching people kick a ball around isn't something I enjoy and I've given it plenty of chances.

 

I still believe handball most definitely takes skill and enough where I'm not turned away by a lack of skill (like the Olympic sport of walking).

Denmark trying to mount a comeback here!

I still believe handball most definitely takes skill and enough where I'm not turned away by a lack of skill (like the Olympic sport of walking).

 

I'll absolutely agree with this and depart the thread. Enjoy your Olympics.

I guess after reading this thread handball had been talked up a little too much as I was a little disappointed with it. It's alright, but it just seems like all you have to do is bull rush your way to the shaded area and jump as far as you can at the goalie before throwing the ball at the last second before your feet hit the floor. An NFL linebacker would be unstoppable I would think.

And with regard to soccer comparrisons, to each his own I guess, but the match yesterday between Great Brittan and UAE was very exciting. It was amazing watching Ryan Giggs at 38 years of age, he played wonderfully against mostly much younger players as I think the Olympic teams are made up of U23 clubs with a few older players allowed on each side.

I wish that Handball was more popular and was played during the prime times because I dont' really get to watch it much at work!

I wish that Handball was more popular and was played during the prime times because I dont' really get to watch it much at work!

DVR it.

DVR it.

 

Do not currently have the luxury. About to buy my own place, as well as a new TV and plan on upgrading to it.

Do not currently have the luxury. About to buy my own place, as well as a new TV and plan on upgrading to it.

Oh man. It's not even worth having a TV if you can't DVR.