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RASCBall has been compared to the Olympic sport Team Handball. Though both sports are similar in various ways, the differences of the two, far outweigh the similarities. The object of both Team Handball and RASCBall (like virtually any other sport) is to outscore your opponent. Team Handball and RASCBall both share various characteristics of other sports in their own respective sports. With dynamic and features comparable to basketball, soccer, and hockey, both sports are fast paced and exciting in their own right. Team Handball is more alike to soccer than any other sport. It could be argued that Team Handball is "soccer with your hands" as some have stated, while RASCBall is more along the lines of hockey, lacrosse and basketball. Below is a paragraph describing Team Handball from the USA Deaf Team Handball site: "Team handball is played by two teams of 7 players each (1 goalkeepers and 6 court players). The object of the game is to throw the ball past a goalkeeper into the opponent's goal. Players advance the ball down the court by dribbling and throwing the ball. They are allowed to dribble for an unlimited amount of time, run with the ball for up to three steps before and after dribbles, and hold the ball without moving for three seconds (five seconds in Special Olympics games). Players are not allowed to pull, hit, or punch the ball out of the opponent's hands, endanger and opponent with the ball, or contact the ball below the knees. Free throws are awarded to the opponent in the event of minor fouls or violations. A 7-meter penalty shot is awarded to the opponent when major violations are committed. Matches consist of two 30-minute periods with a 10- minute half-time interval. There are no overtime periods in team handball."
Both sports incorporate contrasting rules, guidelines and principles. RASCBall is more alike to hockey, basketball, and lacrosse in play, while team handball is essentially soccer with your hands. RASCBall is played in a less limited manner keeping play intense, exciting, and unique. We here involved with RASCBall tend to see our sport as a more "Americanized" cousin to Team Handball. North American sports fans no doubt hold basketball, hockey and lacrosse on a higher pedestal than soccer. Europeans however (where Team Handball originated) indulge soccer, more so than the sports mentioned previously. RASCBall is a demanding, physical yet graceful competition with roots stemming from the heartland of America and that is evident in the style of play. Both RASCBall and Team Handball are exciting to view and play while sharing many similarities. But no question the sports differ on many levels.
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