[Latest] Best Throwball: Rules, Dimensions, How To Play

Throwball

Throwball is a non-contact team sport played across a net between two teams of nine players on a rectangular court. The game is similar to volleyball, but there are a few key differences. 

In throwball, the ball can only be thrown once per possession, and players cannot volley the ball. The ball is also slightly larger than a volleyball and has a softer touch.

Throwball is a popular sport in Asia, especially on the Indian subcontinent. It was first played in India as a women’s sport in the 1940s. The game’s rules were first drafted in 1955 and India’s first national-level championship was played in 1980.

To play throwball, each team lines up on their side of the court. The ball is served from the back of the court and must land in the neutral zone on the opponent’s side. 

The receiving team then tries to catch the ball and throw it back over the net. The game continues until one team makes a mistake, such as dropping the ball or letting it bounce on the ground.

The first team to score 25 points wins the set. The match is played in the best of three sets.

Throwball is a fun and exciting sport that is easy to learn and can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels. It is a great way to get exercise and have fun with friends and family.

Some of the benefits of playing throwball:

• It is a great way to get exercise.
• It is a low-impact sport, so it is a good option for people of all ages and skill levels.
• It is a fun and social activity.
• It can help improve your hand-eye coordination and balance.
• It can help you learn teamwork and communication skills.

Throwball Rules

• The game is played between two teams of nine players on a rectangular court 
• The ball is similar to a volleyball but is slightly larger and has a softer touch. It is made of synthetic leather and has a circumference of 70-72 centimeters. Weigh between four hundred grams (400 g) to four hundred fifty grams (450 g). The ball shall be spherical, made of either flexible leather or synthetic leather. The ball shall be size five
• A net is placed across the center of the court at a height of 7.22 feet.
• The ball is served from the back of the court by a player from the serving team. The ball is thrown over the net,
• The ball must land in the neutral zone on the opponent’s side.
• The receiving team then tries to catch the ball and throw it back over the net.
• The game continues until one team makes a mistake, such as dropping the ball or letting it bounce on the ground.
• The team that scores the most points by the end of the set wins the set.
• The match is played in the best of three sets.

Some of the specific rules of throwball:

• The ball can only be thrown once per possession.
• Players cannot volley the ball.
• The ball must be thrown from above the shoulder line.
• Players cannot touch the ball with any part of their body other than the palm of their hand.
• Players cannot block the ball with their body.
• Players cannot interfere with the opponent’s throw.
• A player is allowed to step on the opponent’s side of the court, but they cannot touch the net.
• A player is allowed to catch the ball with both hands, but they must throw it back with one hand.
• A player is allowed to jump when throwing the ball, but they cannot touch the net.
• A team can have a maximum of five substitutes.
• A team can take two time-outs of 30 seconds each during a set.
• The first team to score 25 points wins the set.
• A match is played to the best of three sets.
• If the score is tied at 24-24, the teams will play a tie-breaker point.
• The team that scores the most points in the tie-breaker point wins the set.
• Service. When serving, do it within five seconds from serving zone, and don’t touch the net. You can jump while serving, and maintain the 2-3-2 position.
• Rally. Catch the ball with both hands right away, don’t let it touch the ground, and throw it within three seconds from above your shoulder with one hand. 

You can jump, and the ball can touch the net but not the antenna. Keep at least one foot on the ground when catching. No body parts other than your palm can touch the ball, and you can’t shift or push it. Also, avoid catching the ball at the same time as another player.

Rotation And Players Position

Players’ positions rotate in a “Z” pattern. When the serving team loses a point, the player in position nine (9) moves to position one (1), position one (1) shifts to position two (2), and so on.

After a set concludes, the team that didn’t serve in the previous set gets to serve.

Each side has nine (9) players, organized in rows of three (3) during the serve. Here’s an example of their order during the serve:

1 — 2 — 3

4 — 5 — 6

7 — 8 — 9

Players can change their positions once the serving player releases the ball.

After a rally, players return to their original positions, except when the service is broken, at which point they rotate in the “Z” pattern.

Common Fouls In Throwball:

Juggling: If the ball slips from a player’s hands when they receive it.

Double Contact: When a player receives the ball and it bounces in their hands twice.

Dead Ball: If the ball touches the ground in the designated dead zone, it awards a point to the opposing team.

Body Touch: When the ball touches any part of a player’s body during throwing, returning, or receiving.

Delay: Holding onto the ball for more than three (3) seconds or serving the ball five (5) seconds after the referee’s whistle is blown.

Net Rebound: If the ball rebounds or bounces off the net, it can be legally received by another player. However, intentionally throwing the ball into the net is a foul.

Net Touch: When the service ball makes contact with the net, it’s considered a foul.

Movement: Players can take only one (1) step forward, backward, or sideways after receiving the ball.

Clash: When two (2) or more players catch the ball simultaneously.

Jumping: Jumping to receive the ball is not allowed, but players can jump and throw the ball before taking a step.

Foul Zones: If the ball falls on the box line or within the dead zone, it’s a foul, and the opponent earns a point and the right to serve.

Dimension of Throwball Court

• Length: 60 feet

• Width: 36 feet

• Height of the net: 2.2 meters (7.22 feet)

• Neutral zone: 1 meter (3.28 feet) on either side of the center of the court.

• Service zone: 6.10 meters (20.01 feet) on the right side of the playing field.

The court is divided into two equal halves by the net. The service zone is located on the right side of the court for the team serving the ball. The neutral zone is a 1-meter wide area on either side of the center of the court.

History of Throwball

Throwball is thought to have originated from a recreational sport popular among women in England and Australia during the 1930s. The YMCA brought the game to Chennai, where it was played as a women’s sport in the 1940s. 

Harry Crowe Buck, who founded the YMCA College of Physical Education in Chennai, drafted guidelines for throwball rules and regulations in 1955. In addition, Mr. Jagat Singh Chauhan was the founder/father of throwball, handball, and netball in India. The game reached Bangalore in the 1950s.

The first set of rules for throwball was formally composed by Harry Crowe Buck, a member of the YMCA. In December 2015, a Junior International Throw Ball match was conducted in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia where a total of eight countries participated.

Governing Body

The Throwball Federation of India (TFI) was formed in 1985. The first Indian National ThrowBall Championship was conducted in Haryana. The TFI has been organizing national and international championships since then.

Throwball is now played in over 20 countries, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, and Nepal. The sport is governed by the International Throwball Federation (ITBF), which was founded in 2007.

The ITBF organizes the World Throwball Championship every four years. The latest championship was held in India in 2021.

International Events

World Throwball Championship: This is the most prestigious international event in throwball. It is held every four years and is organized by the International Throwball Federation (ITBF). The latest championship was held in India in 2021.

Asian Throwball Championship: This is the second most prestigious international event in throwball. It is held every two years and is organized by the Asian Throwball Federation (ATF).

How to Play Throwball

Form two teams. Each team consists of nine players.

Choose a server. The server is the player who will serve the ball to start the game.

Serve the ball. The server stands in the back of the court and serves the ball over the net to the opponent’s side. The ball must land in the neutral zone.

Receive the ball. The receiving team tries to catch the ball and throw it back over the net.

Continue the rally. The game continues until one team makes a mistake, such as dropping the ball or letting it bounce on the ground.

Score points. The team that scores the most points by the end of the set wins the set.

Play to the best of three sets. The match is played in the best of three sets. This means that the first team to win two sets wins the match.

Tips For Playing Throwball:

• Be accurate with your throws.
• Be quick to react to the ball.
• Work well as a team.
• Communicate with your teammates.
• Be accurate with your throws. This is essential for scoring points and keeping the ball in play. Practice throwing the ball at different speeds and angles to improve your accuracy.
• Be quick to react to the ball. This is important for catching the ball and returning it quickly. Be aware of where the ball is at all times and be ready to move quickly to get to it.
• Work well as a team. Throwball is a team sport, so it is important to work together with your teammates. Communicate with each other and coordinate your throws to keep the ball in play and score points.
• Communicate with your teammates. This is essential for working well as a team. Let your teammates know where you are and where you are going. Also, let them know if you are open to receiving a pass.
• Practice your serve. The serve is the most important part of the game, so it is important to practice it regularly.
• Develop a variety of throws. This will make you more difficult to defend against.
• Be aware of your surroundings. This includes the location of the net, your teammates, and your opponents.
• Don’t be afraid to take risks. Sometimes the best way to score points is to take a risk and try a difficult shot.

Final Words

Throwball is a non-contact ball sport that is similar to volleyball, but the ball is thrown over the net instead of hit or volleyed. It is a popular sport in Asia, especially on the Indian subcontinent. Throwball is a great way to get exercise and have fun. It is a challenging sport that requires a combination of skill, accuracy, and teamwork. If you are looking for a new sport to try, I encourage you to give throwball a shot.

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