goalball

Goalball is a team sport designed specifically for athletes with visual impairments. It is played by two teams of three players each, with the objective of throwing a ball into the opponent's goal. All players wear eyeshades or blackout masks to ensure a level playing field, regardless of the degree of their visual impairment.

The game is played on a court that is the same size as a basketball court, with tactile markings to help players orient themselves. Each end of the court has a large, low goal that spans the width of the court. The ball itself is a black, hollow sphere weighing approximately 1.25 kilograms and containing bells that allow players to track its movement.

Players take turns throwing the ball, attempting to roll it past the opposing team's players and into the goal. The defensive players lie on the floor and try to block the ball with their bodies. After a throw, players must quickly reposition themselves to defend their goal. A goal is scored when the entire ball crosses the goal line.

Goalball is an indoor sport that requires a high level of spatial awareness, teamwork, and ball control. It is a Paralympic sport and is contested at the Summer Paralympics. The game emphasizes listening skills and tactile feedback as players rely on the sound of the bells in the ball and the feel of the court markings to guide their actions.