Team Handball Balls

Official team handball balls in sizes 0 to 3, for match play, practice and youth programs. Grip-coated match balls, resin-free options for facilities that ban wax, hard-wearing practice balls and beach handball balls from Select, Molten, Kempa, Hummel, Erima and adidas.

Choosing the right team handball

Two questions settle it: what size does your category play with, and does your venue allow resin. Everything else — brand, coating, price — comes after.

Ball sizes, set by the IHF

Size is defined by circumference and weight, not by age alone. Check your league's rules before ordering, especially for youth categories where federations differ.

Size 3 : 58-60 cm, 425-475 g · men aged 16 and over
Size 2 : 54-56 cm, 325-375 g · women aged 14 and over, boys 12 to 16
Size 1 : 50-52 cm, 290-330 g · players aged 8 to 14
Size 0 : 46-48 cm, 250-300 g · mini handball, under 8

Match, practice or resin-free

Match balls carry a tacky surface coating designed to be used with resin. They are the grippiest and the most expensive, and they are what you keep aside for game day. Practice balls use a harder-wearing cover that survives daily sessions with slightly less grip. Resin-free balls have a high-friction surface that lets you hold the ball one-handed without wax, which is what most American school gyms and recreation centers require. If you are equipping a program in the US, start there.

Who makes what

Select and Molten supply the balls used in most top competitions, including the EHF and IHF tournaments. Kempa, Hummel and Erima cover club and training needs at every level. Beach handball balls are softer, lighter and slightly smaller so they can be handled with wet hands, and they are not interchangeable with indoor balls.

Care and inflation

Inflate to the pressure printed near the valve, usually between 0.3 and 0.4 bar. Wipe resin off after each session with a dedicated cleaner: dried resin hardens the coating and kills the grip within a few weeks. Store balls inflated, away from heat.

Frequently asked questions

What size handball do I need?

Size 3 for men aged 16 and over, size 2 for women aged 14 and over and boys 12 to 16, size 1 for players 8 to 14, and size 0 for mini handball under 8.

Is a team handball the same as an American handball?

No. American handball is played against a wall with a small hard rubber ball. Team handball is the Olympic seven-a-side indoor sport, played with the balls on this page.

What is handball resin used for?

Resin is a sticky wax applied to the hands so a player can hold, spin and throw the ball one-handed. Many venues ban it because it marks floors, which is why resin-free balls exist.

Which ball is used at the Olympics?

Size 3 for the men's tournament and size 2 for the women's tournament, with an official match ball from an IHF-approved manufacturer, usually Select or Molten.

What is the difference between a match ball and a training ball?

A match ball has a tacky coating for maximum grip with resin. A training ball has a tougher cover that lasts through daily use, with a little less grip.