SUGGESTED ACTIVITY: Play handball or watch a game.

ABOUT: The handball courts are one of Venice's unique features.  Played one one one or two on two, handball only requires a court and a small 61 gram ball.  The ball is swatted with an open hand against the wall and then returned, after one bounce, by the opposition.  The U.S. Handball Association, the sport's national governing body, holds tournaments in Venice throughout the year as does the L.A. Department of Recreation and Parks. Upcoming events will be listed shortly.

ADDRESS: Venice Beach Recreation and Parks. 1800 Ocean Front Walk.  Venice, Ca 90291.

GYM OFFICE: 310.399.2775   MAIN OFFICE: 310.396-6764

WHO CAN PLAY: Anyone

ADMISSION FEE: Free to play

NOTE: OPEN PLAY. NO FEE/RESERVATIONS.  FIRST COME BASIS.  TOURNAMENTS & PERMITS TAKE PRECEDENCE ON COURTS.

HANDBALL EQUIPMENT RENTALS: Available at the Venice Recreation and Parks Office. 1800 Ocean Front Walk.  Venice, Ca 90291.GYM OFFICE:  310.399.2775   MAIN OFFICE:  310.396-6764

UPCOMING HANDBALL TOURNAMENTS:

June 19th & 20TH.  Summer slam

Aug 21st, 22nd.  Pacific coast.  small ball. 

Sept.  25 & 26. Big blue big ball classic
July 22nd & 25th.  Junior nationals 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE GAME: Handball is a competitive game in which either hand or either fist may be used to serve and return the ball. Four-wall handball may be played by two, three or four players. When played by two, it is called singles; when played by three, cutthroat; and when played by four, doubles. The object is to win each rally by serving or returning the ball so the opponent is unable to keep the ball in play. A rally is won when one player is unable to return the opponent's shot to the front wall before it touches the floor twice, or when a player returns the ball so that it hits the floor before striking the front wall. Points are scored only by the serving side when it serves an ace (unreturnable serve) or wins a rally. When the serving side loses one rally in singles or two rallies in doubles, it loses the serve. Losing the serve is called an "out." A match is won by the first side winning two games. The first two games of a match are played to 21 points. In the event each side wins a game, a tie-breaker is played to 11 points.

RULES OF HANDBALL:

RECOMMENDED WEBSITE: For tournament results, history, rules of the sport and upcoming Southern California handball events, visit http://www.handball.org.

To register, compete and for upcoming Venice Handball Tournaments, contact Fred Ealey of Venice Recreation and Parks Center at 310-399-2775.

Click here for Southern California Tournaments.  http://www.handball.org/tourn.html

PAST HANDBALL TOURNAMENTS:

Above:  July 2009  Junior National Handball Tournament

(09.12.09  Venice, Ca)  Venice Paparazzi spotted a number of Los Angeles firefighters playing handball and grilling on the MOAB (Mother of all BBQ's) at the Venice Beach Handball Courts on Saturday, September 12th, 2009. I found out from one of the firefighters that this was their 11th annual 3-wall handball tournament in Venice Beach, and that every year they choose a cause to support. This year, proceeds from this tournament went to muscular dystrophy. Last year, it went to he LAFD Widows, Orphans and Disabled Firemen?s Fund. Venice Fact: Our local firestation is Firestation 63 and it is located at 1930 Shell Avenue. Venice CA 90291. For more information http://www.lafd.org or dial 3-1-1 or (213) 485-5971 to contact your Neighborhood Fire Station for routine matters.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PAST JUNIOR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP, 3 ON 3 TOURNAMENTS AND MORE EVENT PHOTOS.

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CLICK HERE FOR VIDEOS ON HANDBALL.

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NOTE:  ALL PHOTOS BY VENICE PAPARAZZI'S EDIZEN STOWELL. If you wish to publish or reproduce the materials in any physical or digital form or use them, you must obtain prior written permission from the photographer. Contact Edizen