Goalball is one of two Paralympic sports that do not have an Olympic counterpart (the other being boccia). Goalball is a team sport designed for the visually impaired and blind. It was invented in 1946 for World War II veterans who lost their sight. Men’s goalball made its Paralympic debut at Toronto 1976, while women’s goalball first appeared at the 1984 Paralympic Games in New York.
Alternating between attack and defense, goalball players must engage their whole body to block powerful attacks from their opponents.
Brief overview of the rules
Goalball is played by two teams of three players on the same size court used for volleyball (18 metres long and 9 metres wide). The attacking team tries to score by rolling a ball containing internal bells at speed along the floor towards the opposite goal defended by their opponents. Tactile markings help players determine where they are. The ball must bounce at least once in the thrower’s landing area for the shot to count. Players lie down in front of their own goal to block the ball. The goal stretches across the whole width of the floor (9m) making it especially difficult to defend. Teams take turns attacking and defending.
Goalball is an intense sport, and each game is divided into two 12-minute halves. Like in blind football, spectators must remain silent during play so that players can hear the ball.
Eligible impairments
Played by athletes with a vision impairment. All players wear eyeshades to ensure fair competition.
