The Action-Packed Sport of Goalball

THE ACTION-PACKED SPORT OF GOALBALL

Photos by Loren Worthington Photo by Joe Kusumoto

ou are on an indoor athletic Every player wears opaque eyeshades “Individuals can either play all positions court and you can’t see. It is (sometimes called blindfolds) at all times, or focus on just playing one position.” quiet. Suddenly, you hear a ball, ensuring fair competition. “Eyeshades Boyle stated that goalball games aren’t withY three bells on the inside, coming at level the playing field for all athletes,” long by nature – two 12-minute halves you at nearly 40 mph. Your teammates Czechowski said. “It is a piece of with a 3-minute halftime. “In real time, it are relying on you to stop it from going equipment that equalizes everything.” takes only 45 minutes to an hour to play into the net. That is the sport of goalball. Amanda Dennis, a two-time a game.” “For any fan of team sport, goalball is Paralympian (2012 and 2016) for Team The ball is the size of a typical addictive,” says Jake Czechowski, head USA and a member of Disabled Sports basketball, but is not pressurized. It is coach for Team USA Women's Goalball. USA’s Elite Team, agrees. “Goalball puts a heavy, three pound rubber ball that “It is something you need to experience you on an equal playing field as everyone doesn’t bounce. Three bells are inside … to see it live.” Spectators often become else,” she said.” I was used to seeing that serve an auditory purpose. Of course, enamored. “The first time I watched the something, but goalball takes it all away.” there has to be silence so the ball can be sport at the highest level, it blew me Hashmarks and tactile string or lines heard. The ball has to be tossed or thrown away.” help players orient themselves on the on the ground, underhand style, similar to court. bowling or softball. INTRODUCTION TO THE SPORT A score results when the ball makes it Goalball was invented by Austrian HOW TO PLAY into the opponent’s goal. “The essence is Hanz Lorenzen and German Sepp Reindle Teams of three (six players total) take just throwing and blocking,” Czechowski in 1946 to assist visually impaired World the court. The objective is to take the said. But, “it is an War II veterans with their rehabilitation. ball and roll or throw it past the other aggressive, fast-paced The sport is wildly popular in Europe team into the goal, according to Matt game.” and is not a derivative of a mainstream Boyle, head coach of the USA Men’s Offensively, Olympic sport. Goalball Team. One player is typically there are a It is played indoors on what is the size in the center, either up front or towards lot of ways to of a standard volleyball court (9 x 18 feet). the back, and then another player on the throw the ball, A soccer-style net runs the full width, left and right sides of the court. “Players which primarily providing a wide goal area. typically spread out evenly,” Boyle said. involves strategy

CHALLENGE 6 SPRING 2019

and technique. During a game, there is a USABA has entered into a partnership club teams,” he said. “It is the easiest way lot of action, a lot of throws, according to with Turnstone Center for Children to find them.” Boyle also finds that talent Czechowski. “There is typically around and Adults with Disabilities, a chapter is becoming more concentrated, locating 95 throws per game.” There are also a lot of Disabled Sports USA located in Fort to a specific town or club. of rules, including a 10-second rule to Wayne, Indiana, to develop the Goalball Club teams are also the biggest release the ball. Center of Excellence. This is the first pipeline for the women’s team. “We have Defensively, most players use their full-time resident program for Goalball a nice blend of veterans with leadership body to stop or block the ball. “It is the athletes. “Athletes come to live and train and experience mixed with some up and opposite of dodgeball,” Czechowski said. in Fort Wayne,” said Mike Mushett, chief coming talent,” Czechowski said. One of The evolution of throwing techniques executive officer of Turnstone. those veterans is his wife, Lisa, who has have also resulted in an enhanced Turnstone’s Plassman Athletic played with the national team since 1998. defense. Center, a 125,000-square-foot facility, “We have also added new athletes since To try the sport for yourself, Mark has a dedicated gym/court for goalball, the last Paralympic Games. Our player Lucas, executive director of USABA meaning it has the standard surface pool is approximately 8-10 athletes. But (United States Association of Blind utilized by the sport (only such court at some point, we would like to get that Athletes), suggests contacting one of the in the United States). In addition, up to 18 … maybe in five plus years.” Only 20-30 club teams (men’s and women’s) the athletes have access to a high- six men and six women are chosen for that currently exist across the country. performance fitness facility beside it tournaments though. In addition, a handful of Disabled Sports as well as athletic trainers and fitness USA chapters offer goalball as one of the instructors for strength and conditioning. FIND A TEAM sports available. The athletes live together in two modular The great thing about goalball is that it A number of schools for the blind also homes, one for the men’s team and one is a competitive team sport, offering blind offer the sport to their student athletes. If for the women’s team. As a result of these athletes with all the benefits team sports none of those are options in your area, do developments and other undertakings at provide. Teamwork and communication what Dennis did and start your own team. Turnstone, the facility became an official are paramount to success. “I love the team Unlike some sports, the nice benefit of Paralympic Development Training Site sport aspect,” said Dennis, who was on the the sport to individual athletes is the fact in May 2018, the seventh such designated bronze-medal winning team at the 2016 that not a lot of expensive equipment is facility in the country. games in Rio. “You are not alone.” required. Besides the player’s eyeshades, It is also important to note that at the knee and elbow pads are needed and chest "IT IS THE local club level (as well as school sport protectors and/or hip pads are available level), each team is allowed one sighted options that are encouraged as well. OPPOSITE OF player. Therefore, goalball is a great way to bridge adaptive sports and able-bodied COMPETING AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL DODGEBALL." sports, according to Czechowski. “You can USABA serves as the governing immerse everyone, promote inclusion, body for goalball at the Paralympic June 28-July 10, Turnstone will be and bridge divides,” he said. level, according to Lucas. “Our role is to hosting its first international competition In addition to Turnstone, you can develop and select the athletes for the centered around goalball, as well as judo. find other DSUSA chapters that Paralympic Games. We support athletes This event is an international qualifier feature goalball at https://www. from the grassroots to the elite athlete for the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, disabledsportsusa.org/chapters/location- level.” Given the interest in the sport Japan. “For the U.S. teams, being able to map/. More resources are also available in Europe and other parts of the globe, qualify for the Paralympics on your home through USABA at https://www.usaba. Team USA has done pretty well. “The U.S. turf would be exciting,” Mushett said. org/sports/goalball/. Lucas states that it goalball teams have earned 13 medals If they aren’t able to do that, they will is the goal of USABA that every child has (2 gold, 3 silver, and 3 bronze for the have one more chance to try and make a goalball in their hands as early as 3 or women and 1 gold, 3 silver, and 1 bronze the Paralympic Games at the Parapan 4 years old. “It really helps with auditory for the men). The women’s team has been American Games in Lima, Peru, later this and tactile sensory.” He also wants kids described as the most successful goalball summer. ready to play beginning at 5 or 6 years program and the men are number one in Since the 2016 games in Rio, the men’s old. overall men’s Paralympic medal count,” and women’s teams have been rebuilding. Organizations, schools, coaches, and Lucas said. “In fact, the United States was Both Czechowski and Boyle are new to others interested in learning more about the only nation to have both teams medal their head coaching positions. The men’s the sport can get a copy of “Goalball at the 2016 Games in Rio.” team has a lot of veterans that have been Guidelines,” a free manual that is Moving forward, both the U.S. Men’s on the national team before. “We have a available through Disabled Sports USA and Women’s Goalball Teams are working lot of talented players here in the U.S.,” and the Athletics for All task force. Visit to build upon their past success. Since Boyle said. Young talent also pops up at https://athleticsforall.net/goalball/ for the last summer Paralympic Games, the club level. “I find new talent through more information.

CHALLENGE 8 SPRING 2019