Contextualization

Handball is a team sport created by Karl Schelenz in 1919. This sport combines agility, strategy, and teamwork. In its current format, it is played by two teams with seven players each (a goalkeeper and six field players) who move freely around a rectangular pitch, using their hands to throw a ball into the goal of the other team.

In this project, we are going to delve into the history of handball, its rules, and how this sport is played. Understanding and appreciating it goes beyond the game itself and extends to its historical context, rules, and strategies.

Like many other sports, handball is a direct reflection of the social, cultural, and historical characteristics of the society in which it is practiced. Therefore, it can be a valuable pedagogical tool for exploring these dimensions. Despite not being as popular as soccer in Brazil, it has a long-standing tradition in Europe and several other places around the world.

The Importance of Handball

Handball promotes integration and cooperation since no player, no matter how skilled they are, can win a game on their own. It plays a crucial role in developing teamwork, individual responsibility within the group, and the respect for teammates and opponents.

In addition, it stimulates various physical skills, such as agility, coordination, strength, and endurance. Handball’s unique features, such as the continuous change of direction, speed, and intensity and the fast-paced game with many goals, attract thousands of athletes and spectators worldwide.

Practical Activity: “Learning and Teaching Handball”

Project Goal

The goal of this project is for students to learn about the sport of handball, its rules, techniques, and strategies, and history. In doing so, they will not only have a better understanding of the game, but they will also learn how to work as a team, manage their time, and present their findings to their peers.

Detailed Description of the Project

This project will be carried out by teams of 3 to 5 students and will last for one month. It will be divided into three phases: Research and Study, Practice, and Presentation.

1. Research and Study: Students must research handball, including details about its history, rules, positions, skills, and strategies. Each group should focus on a specific aspect of handball (i.e. history, rules, techniques, strategies) to research and present to their classmates. The research should be done using online resources, books, and videos.

2. Practice: Then, students will form teams and play a game of handball. The objective is not to win the game but rather to experience the sport firsthand. During the game, students should be able to identify the rules, positions, and strategies that they researched.

3. Presentation: Finally, the students will present what they learned. The presentation should include their research on their assigned topic, how playing handball helped them better understand the topic, and what soft skills they feel they developed throughout the project.

Required Materials

1. Internet access for research
2. Books, videos, and other educational materials about handball
3. Materials to play handball: handball, court or adequate space
4. Materials for writing the report: paper, pencil or computer

Step-by-Step

1. Divide the students into groups of 3 to 5.
2. Assign each group a specific topic from handball to research.
3. After doing the research, organize a handball game for the students.
4. Encourage the students to apply what they learned in their research during the game.
5. Have the students prepare a presentation and a report based on their research and hands-on experience.

Project Deliverables

1. Research: Documentation of the research conducted, highlighting the main findings and information collected.

2. Game: Effective participation in the handball game, applying what was learned during the research.

3. Presentation: Presentation to the class on the researched topic, how playing the game influenced the understanding of the topic and what soft skills were developed.

4. Report: Students must write a report including:

   • Introduction: relevance, real-world applications of the topic and objective of the project.
   • Development: theory of the researched topic, activity conducted in detail, methodology used, and results achieved.
   • Conclusions: main points, lessons learned, and final considerations about the project.
   • Bibliography: sources consulted for the research.

Students should focus on demonstrating their knowledge of handball, how they were able to apply this knowledge in a practical setting, and what soft skills they were able to develop throughout the project.