Fast-paced, high-scoring, physical: welcome to team handball, a sport that was first played at the Olympic Games in 1936 and the best sport you probably didn't know existed! In our mission to grow this sport in America, we're identifying talented athletes who can play for Team USA on the handball court. Watch this video to get an idea of the athletic skills we would like to see from your highlight reel. Ready to see if you have what it takes? 

Begin by filling in the information below.  This form is intended to compile and evaluate information regarding prospective athletes for the U.S. National Team programs and local handball clubs throughout the United States.


What is your primary email?

What is your legal name?

What is your current City, State of residence?

If yes, what is the name of your school/educational institution?

Are you currently a student?

Do you have a valid US Passport?

What is your Date of Birth?

Height

Height (in inches)

Weight

Weight (in pounds)

Dominant throwing arm?

Gender

Have you played competitively?  In an intramural league?  In a gym class?  Only seen the sport?  No affiliation?

What level of handball experience do you have?

What Varsity High School Sports experience do you have?

Would you be interested in a virtual informational session with our Olympians, coaches and current National Team athletes?

Measure finger tip to finger tip for determining arm/wing span.

Wing

Wing Span

Measure from top of middle finger to base of your palm.

Hand

Hand Size

Please submit a video with highlights of your athletic skills and performances that relate to team handball. This should include throwing, catching, dribbling and defense movement.

Highlight Reel

Introduction to Handball & Intake Form

Description: To see an athlete’s acceleration mechanics up to the 15-20 meter mark and observe the athlete transition into the upright sprinting position.

Equipment required:
- Tape measure to measure 20 meter distance (approx. 66 feet).
- An area that has a safe distance to run the 20-meter sprint that gives the proper distance to decelerate after the 20 meters. A flat grass area on a sports field or running track would be ideal. 

Procedure:
Make sure your video is filmed from approximately the middle distance of 10 meters. Clearly mark your start and finish zones. Complete a 20-meter sprint from the start to the finish zone, particularly demonstrating your explosiveness and acceleration. Record and submit your best try/attempt.  

20m Sprint

What did you clock?

USA Handball Activity 1: 20m Sprint

Equipment required:
- Wall
- Measurement tool (can be chalk, measuring tape or vertical jump measuring device) 

Description: To see an athlete’s vertical jumping ability from a standing position.
 
Procedure: Standing perpendicular to a wall, use your measurement tool to mark the highest extension of your arm while standing. Coat hand closest to wall heavily in chalk. Using the motion of your arms to propel you upward, leap as high as you can from both feet, making sure to contact the wall with chalk at the apex of your jump. Measure the distance between the highest standing extension mark and the highest vertical mark in chalk. If you have access to a vertical jump measuring device, film the same sequence using the markers on the device. This is your vertical jump. Record and submit your best try/attempt. 


Sargent Jump Test

USA Handball Activity 2: Sargent Jump Test

Description: To see an athlete’s explosiveness and burst from the stationary position and their stability and coordination while landing.
 
Procedure: Using a tape measure, clearly mark the line from which you will jump and then lines marking 5 and 10 feet. Make sure your video captures the entire jump without moving or panning the camera. Using the motion of your arms to propel you forward, leap as far as you can from both feet, making sure to land without stepping forward or moving your feet. Record and submit your best try/attempt. 

Broad Jump Video

Broad Jump

How far did you jump?

USA Handball Activity 3: Broad Jump

This is a coordination exercise in a cone square. Please watch the video to understand how to perform this drill. 

Agility Drill

USA Handball Activity 4: Agility Drill

For this test you will complete ten 30m sprints. You will perform one every 30 seconds. 

Please provide the time for each of the sprints performed in testing.

Shuttle

Repeat Sprints

Please upload a video of performing the sprint fatigue test.

Video of Sprint Fatigue Test

USA Handball Activity 5: Sprint Fatigue Test

This test replicates the intermittent running performed in the sport of handball. For this test you will complete repeated 30 second bouts of running at progressively faster speeds. The test is completed over 40 meters and uses a 15 second recovery period between stages. An app can be downloaded to support completion of the test: https://30-15ift.com/. Please provide the final stage completed for this test (eg, stage 18, total time 18 minutes). A video of the test is provided below and an explanation of the test can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bShS5zMawVA

Please input the final stage completed on the 30-15 test.

New Metric

Final Stage of Test

Please provide video of yourself completing the test.

30-15 Intermittent Test

USA Handball Activity 6: 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test

Equipment required:
- Three cones or objects at your disposal to mark movements

Description: To see an athlete’s lateral movement in the traditional handball defensive footwork pattern and their burst during transition to offense.
 
Procedure: Place three cones or objects in a triangle roughly 14 feet wide at its baseline, and the point being equidistant and roughly 7 feet from the baseline. The player will begin with her or his back to one of the base cones, facing away from and in the direction of the triangle, moving laterally along its outermost edge three times, making sure to shuffle step. Arms should remain in the mid-position (just outside and above shoulder width and height). After they return to the starting position for the third time, the player will sprint for 25 feet. Record and submit your best try/attempt. 


Defense Stance Drill

USA Handball Activity 7: Defense Stance Drill

Equipment required:
- Ball (can be a handball, tennis ball, baseball or softball) 

Description: To see general athletic ability while throwing a ball.

Procedure: Open opportunity to show off your athletic skills, such as throwing off of one foot, jump throws, dribbling, etc. The attached video shows a common handball technique involving movement and throwing off of one foot. Feel free to include a few maneuvers and upload them together. 

Show us what you've got!

USA Handball Activity 8: Throwing on the move

Equipment required:
- Ball (can be a handball, tennis ball, baseball or softball) 

Description: To see the form, strength, and quality of an athlete’s throwing ability.

Procedure: Find a large gym space or field in which to throw a ball as far as possible. We will be evaluating throwing mechanics and distance, but measuring an exact distance of the throw is not required. Throw a ball as far as you can, and measure the distance of the throw to the best of your ability. If using an indoor space, provide the dimensions of the space if you can throw all the way across the space. Record and submit your best try/attempt.
 


Tennis Ball Toss

Throw a ball as far as possible 

USA Handball Activity 9: Throw a ball as far as possible 

USA Team Handball Combine presented by Verizon

Are you ready to make history with Team USA? Our top players come from a diverse range of sport backgrounds that they’ve applied to team handball: a high-scoring, fast-paced, physical sport that combines many elements from various sports that American athletes grew up playing. Skills acquired as a high-level athlete, combined with commitment to learn and dedication to be a team player, can help transition you to the handball court and help us become a more competitive team.

Our coaches are looking forward to identifying talented individuals with the potential to represent the U.S. on the handball court. We’re currently looking for athletes to join our national team programs – if you're interested in continuing your athletic career and pursuing a sport with tremendous opportunities, participate in USA Team Handball's Virtual Combine today! 

**All tests must be completed along with the intake form, introduction to handball reviewed and submission of a highlight reel**

USA Team Handball Combine presented by Verizon

Activities