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Goalball was invented in Europe in 1946 and was used for sport and rehabilitation for the post WW II blind veterans. The game was introduced to the world in 1976 at the Paralympics in Toronto, Canada, and the first world championships were held in Austria in 1978. Women first competed in goalball during the 1984 Paralympic Games in New York, USA.
Goalball is open to athletes who are blind and partially sighted. While goalball competitors with varying degrees of sight compete together in open competition all competitors are required to wear "black-out" masks. The masks ensure that none of the competitors have any light perception or vision and as such compete on an equal footing in spite of varying degrees of sight.
A game of Goalball is played by two teams of three players with a maximum of three substitutes on each team. Competition is divided into men's and women's divisions.
The athletes attempt to throw the ball over the goal line at the opposite end of the court, thus scoring a goal. Defending players try to gain possession of the ball, by putting themselves in between the thrower and the goal. When a defending player gains possession, it is then his or her team's turn to throw at the opposing team's goal. The only time there is a stoppage of play is after a goal has been scored, or if the ball crosses a sideline. If the ball crosses one of the sidelines before a defending player has touched or deflected it, "out" is called, and the ball is given to the opposing team. If the ball crosses over a sideline, having been deflected by a defending player, "blocked out" is called, and the ball is given to a player from the team who has just thrown. In both instances, "Play" is called and play continues.
The game is played on a rectangular court, which is divided into two halves by a centre line. A goal are erected at both ends and athletes are positioned in the area within three-meters of the goal lines. In tournament play all the lines are tactile. For each team there are two wings and a centre who hold their positions on the court while defending their goal.
Matches last a total of 20 minutes and are divided into two equal halves with a three-minute break in between. During the game spectators must remain absolutely silent so that players can follow the direction of the ball. Spectators may however applaud or cheer after a goal is scored and at the end of each half.
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