Mini Team Handball with Sportsmanship Points
Mini team handball games where the score counts goals and also acts of sportsmanship: shaking hands, owning up to a foul, or helping an opponent up. Students practice passing and shooting while learning that good sportsmanship counts toward winning.
How to play
- Set up two fields about 22 × 13 yards with small goals and make four teams of 6: five play and one per team watches sportsmanship from the sideline.
- Explain scoring: each goal is 1 point, and teams also earn 1 point for greeting the whole opposing team at the start and end, raising a hand after committing a foul, and helping a fallen player up. Arguing or mocking costs 1 point.
- Modified rules: no more than 3 steps with the ball, no stripping the ball from someone's hands, and only the goalie may enter the goal area.
- Play three 6-minute periods. The observer and the goalie change every period.
- At the end of each period (1 min), the two observers report the sportsmanship points and the captains accept them without arguing.
- Wrap-up (3 min): announce both scores and have each team name one act of good sportsmanship by the other team.
Rules
- No contact: defend with arms up, no pushing or grabbing.
- Observer calls are not argued during the game.
- Everyone plays and everyone observes at least one period.
Variations
Easier
Use a foam ball, no goalie, and a bigger goal.
Standard
Play 5-on-5 mini team handball with goals and sportsmanship points.
Harder
Sportsmanship points count double and goals only count if three players touched the ball.
Adaptations
- A student with limited mobility can be a permanent goalie with a narrow goal or a neutral passer who cannot be guarded.
- For students with autism, give a written list of the actions that score and let them observe first.
- For less fit students, allow free substitutions from the sideline every 2 minutes.
Learning goals
- Apply basic mini team handball rules in game play.
- Recognize and practice good sportsmanship with teammates and opponents.
- Accept officials' calls and the final score respectfully.
Equipment for a class of 25
- team handballs: 2
- pinnies: 12
- cones: 8
- small goals: 4
Teacher tip
Praise the first good act you see out loud so others copy it, and keep a sportsmanship chart all unit.
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