Handball Wall Game for Kids

A small rubber ball — a racquetball, tennis ball, or handball

A sturdy outdoor wall with flat pavement in front

Find a good wall — the side of a building, a racquetball court, or any flat, sturdy surface with smooth pavement in front. Mark side boundaries if needed.

Player one serves: stand behind a serving line (about 6 feet from the wall). Bounce the ball once, then hit it with an open palm so it strikes the wall above a line about 3 feet high.

The ball rebounds off the wall and bounces toward player two. Player two must hit it back to the wall before it bounces twice on the ground.

Rally continues — each player takes turns hitting the ball against the wall. Only one bounce allowed between the wall hit and the return hit.

You can hit the ball before it bounces (volley) or after one bounce. Two bounces and the rally is lost.

Score a point when your opponent misses, hits the ball out of bounds, or lets it bounce twice. Play to 11, win by 2.

Strategy: aim your shots to the corners (angles are hard to return), hit low skimmers (they bounce low and are hard to scoop), or hit high lobs (they push your opponent back).

For singles, players alternate turns. For doubles, teammates alternate hits.

Handball is played in every New York City schoolyard for a reason — it needs only a wall, a ball, and players. It's the most accessible racquet sport because you don't even need a racquet.

Hit with the meaty part of your palm, not your fingers. A cupped hand creates a natural paddle shape.

The serve is where control starts. Practice serving low and hard — this puts your opponent on the defensive immediately.

Handball builds incredible hand-eye coordination and reaction speed. The ball comes off the wall fast, and the one-bounce rule demands quick reflexes.

This game can be played one-on-one, two-on-two, or in a rotating format where the server plays against a line of challengers.