An Introduction to Goalball
Premier Paralympic Team Sport for Blind Athletes Began as Therapy
May 31, 2008
Goalball is a Paralympic sport and the premiere team sport for blind and visually impaired athletes. It's a strategic, highly competitive, 3-on-3 indoor game where teams try to score goals by rolling a ball past into the other team's goal while the defense tries to block it. Bells inside the ball enable players to approximate its path and position.
Goalball was developed in 1946 by Hanz Lorenzen and Sepp Reindle as recreational therapy for blind WW II veterans. It was a demonstration sport at the 1976 Paralympic Summer Games in Montreal and a medal sport at the 1980 games. Its first world championships took place in 1978. Goalball is played in more than 50 countries worldwide and is governed by the International Blind Sports Association (IBSA). The United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) selects the US Paralympic team.
The Goalball Court
Goalball courts are 18m long and are divided into six 3m sections. The goals at each end run the entire width of the court (9m). The player zones are 3m deep and demarcated for orientation with string taped to the floor. Each player's zone is further divided in three sections, also marked with tape, to orient players to their positions. The overthrow line is three meters in front of the player's zones. The ball must touch the floor at least once before crossing the overthrow line.
Goalball Equipment
The goalball weighs 1.25kg (2.75 pounds) and its circumference is 76cm (29.9 inches). The balls are often red and have a rough texture. Goalballs cost about $75.
As visual acuity varies among blind athletes, each player wears a "blackout mask" to ensure equality. Ski goggles covered with tape are a popular option. In tournament play, patches are worn under the mask to prevent inadvertent or purposeful peeking should the mask be jostled during play.
Goalball necessitates much diving onto the hardwood, so knee and elbow pads are a must.
All players must wear the same style and color uniform. Many players prefer football or hockey pants and jerseys, which must have 20cm (8 inch) numbers on the front and back.
Goalball Teams
Each team has three players, a center (generally its top defender) and two "wingers" (generally its best scorers). The center is positioned at the top of the player's zone and defends the entire court. The wingers play behind the center to the left and right and do most of the throwing. Wings can shift positions during play to confuse the opposing team. Teams usually have three additional players serving as substitutes.
Rules of Goalball
A coin toss determines which team throws first. Two referees officiate each game.
Silence is required prior to each throw so players can listen for and respond to the ball. The referee calls "Play!" and an offensive player rolls the ball at their opponent's goal. The defense tries to block it.
When a center stops a throw, he or she will usually pass it to a wing (positions are signaled with floor taps or verbal cues) and then get back into position. Wings too must reorient themselves after throws. Catching opponents out of position with quick throws is a common tactic. Many players throw curve balls or fast or slow pitches to score. Defenders usually squat or kneel, ready to dive to block oncoming throws.
A game consists of two 10-minute halves. Tournaments usually consists of a varied number of games.
Penalties in Goalball
As in most sports, goalball observes strict rules regarding boundaries, a team's execution, and player conduct. A complete rulebook is available from the International Blind Sports Association.
Common penalties include throwing before the referee calls "Play," delay of game, a ball going out of bounds or not hitting between the player zone and overthrow line, touching the blackout mask, unsportsmanlike conduct, excessive noise, and illegal coaching, i.e. coaching from the bench during play.
Most penalties result in loss of possession. Some result in penalty shots during which the transgressor must defend the entire court alone.
Goalball's populairy continues to grow: on September 7th, eight national teams go for the gold at the 2008 Paralympic Summer Games in Beijing.
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