Goalball is an intense Paralympic sport for visually impaired athletes. More about how it's played, here.
, was officially adopted onto the Paralympic roster in 1976 on the men's side, then 1984 for women. A total of 10 women's teams and 10 men's teams maximum are allowed to contend for podium spots, andare the defending champs, with the USA winning men's silver and women's bronze in 2016. Counting both men's and women's Paralympic medals in goalball, theAmanda Dennis is a three-time Paralympic goalball competitor, who's won a silver and a bronze medal for the sport.
During gameplay, teams remain on opposite ends of the court. The most common penalties are"high balls," meaning a throw doesn't make contact with the floor in the thrower's"team area" , and something called a"long ball." This is when a ball doesn't touch the neutral area in the middle of the courtTeam USA women's goalball coach Jake Czechowski describes three different types of throws in goalball to TeamUSA.
Three-time Paralympian Amanda Dennis, speaking to PS via email ahead of the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, says that if you had to compare aspects of goalball to other sports, the underhand throwing styles are similar to bowling and kickball pitching. The spins that some players incorporate into their throws are similar to discus. Defending the goal, she says, is comparable to soccer; you're diving to block balls that are going 40 to 50 miles per hour.
Games consist of two 12-minute halves separated by a three-minute break, and if a game enters overtime in the event of a tie, two three-minute halves are permitted. The first team to score a goal is pronounced the winner. If the score stays tied after overtime, the winning team is decided by extra throws — kind of like a shoot-out in hockey, where individual players shoot their shot .
"From an outsiders view it doesn't look that hard, but think about me blindfolding you and asking you to shoot a basketball in a hoop," Dennis says."That's essentially how we practice spot accuracy and how we have to execute in games."is a former assistant editor at PS. She uses her gymnast background to inform her sports and fitness coverage, powering through Peloton videos in her free time., MS, CSCS, is a Staff Writer, Health & Fitness.
Samantha Brodsky Standard Fitness Sports Olympics Athletes Disability Paralympic Games
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee announces 2024 Paralympic TeamThe U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee announced the full team for the 2024 Paralympics in Paris, which includes an even split of 110 men and 110 women, plus…
Read more »
Valor Games Midwest honors veterans with 12th year of Paralympic sport competitionsThis week, the 12th annual Valor Games is being held in Chicago. The games provide Paralympic sport competitions for veterans who served the country.
Read more »
Apple ad promotes accessibility features for parathletes ahead of Paralympic GamesAfter a few controversial ads, Apple is back with a four-minute video promoting its products' accessibility features for parathletes.
Read more »
Paralympic sprinter Nick Mayhugh refused to let his dreams dieWhen the Olympic flame is extinguished at the Olympic Closing Ceremony, the City of Light will go dark. But in two weeks, another showcase will begin: the Paralympics. Matt Scott has a preview. Watch the 2024 Paris Olympics on NBC and streaming on Peacock, July 26 - Aug 11.
Read more »
Utah wheelchair fencer to represent Team USA at Paris Paralympic GamesUtah native Garrett Schoonover is a gym lover, a U.S. Army veteran, and a talented opera singer. He is also part of Team USA for the 2024 Paralympics.
Read more »
Italy's Valentina Petrillo to be 1st transgender athlete at Paralympic GamesReuters
Read more »