American Handball is a form of handball where individuals or two-person teams use only their hands to hit a rubber ball around a four-walled court.

American handball is a fast-paced individual or team sport where players knock a ball around a walled court. Using just a gloved hand, players attempt to score points by forcing the ball to bounce on the ground twice before an opponent can return it. Gameplay can be sped up or slowed down by simply changing the size of the ball.

Score points by hitting a ball around a walled-court, and ultimately win games and a match.

American handball is played on a 40-feet long by 20-feet wide court with one, three or four walls. The short line lies on the middle of the court's floor, and divides the floor into two 20-foot squares. The service line lies five feet in front of the short line. The service zone is the area between the two lines. Games can be played between singles, doubles or three people. Play is started with the ball served by a player standing the service zone. Serves must hit the front wall first, and then hit no more than one side wall. A serve must also pass the short line before the first bounce, but must bounce before reaching the back wall. Once the ball is served, the receiver must hit the ball on the fly or after the first bounce. The ball can't bounce on the floor twice. The ball can't be returned before hitting the front wall. The first player to reach 21 points wins the game. The first player to win two out of three games wins the match.

It is believed that handball was brought to the United States by Irish immigrants in the 1880's.

Ball
Gloves
Goggles

American handball can be a dangerous sport depending on the size of the ball being used. A smaller, harder ball creates a quicker, more dangerous environment, while a larger, softer ball creates a much safer environment. Regardless, goggles should be worn at all times to protect the eyes.

American handball requires great agility and hand-eye coordination. These can be attained by aerobic exercise and practice playing other ball and wall sports like racquetball.

Killer - shot in which a player hits the ball so low that it barely touches the wall before hitting the ground;

Lob - an under-hand shot in which a player hits the ball to the wall in a high arc; used against short players who hover near the front of the court

Pick Up - when a player hits the ball before it bounces a second time

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_handball