Cuban missile crisis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Cuban missile crisis - Essay Example It is estimated that about 9 million combatants were killed during the war (Garthoff 89). The end of World War one paved way for World War two which began in the year 1939. This is termed as the most deadly war in the world. It was during this war that the atomic bombing was used in Nagasaki and Hiroshima towns by the United States against the Japan Empire. It was the first historic time when the atomic bombs were used. The war ended after the Japan surrendered to its allies (Munton and David 56). Despite the end of the war, many countries developed hostilities with their enemies and designed new ways of attacking them. This study analyses the Cuban Missile crisis, which is termed as the crisis that almost sparked a nuclear war in the world. The Cuban missile crisis was thirteen days military and political standoff between US and the Soviet Union. The crisis occurred in the year 1962 when John F. Kennedy was the president of the United States. Soviet Union had installed nuclear-armed missiles in Cuba. The move by the Soviet Union was intended to counter the emerging leadership of the United States as a leader in missile development and deployment. The Soviet Union used Cuba, which was its closest ally, to install missiles, before the United States intelligence officer detected it (Munton and David 56). After realizing the threat that was posed by the Soviet Union to its security, the United States developed a scheme to attack the region with the missiles. They also developed a splendid plan in which they would counteract the transportation of the missiles from Soviet Union to Cuba. This led to a military and political standoff, between the two states. Finally, they reached an agreement where Soviet Union agreed to remove its missiles from Cuba while the US agreed to withdraw of its threat to Cuba. This paper shall analyses the background of the crisis, how the crisis transpired and how the crisis ended. The Cuba missile led to an international

Digital Economic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Digital Economic - Essay Example competition is a factor that is brought about by the fact that there are many sellers, who in turn make the firms that are available to be price takers. It also includes the sale of homogenous products. Because of this, as is the case that is presented by Thomson, there are chances of both easy entry and exit. However, it is involved with the perfect knowledge about the product, as well as adequate information about their pricing. The speculations were raised because, with the explosive growth of the internet, it was thought that there would be the availability of perfect information on the prices and products at the fingertips of most of those involved. With this, the consumers would be better placed to get the best deals. Thus, it was perceived that it would be a brave world whereby the profit margins of retailers would be competed away and they would be forced to price at a cost. They thought that the internet would reshape the world of commerce by dominating most of the businesses in existence within the established trading environments. As such, it would in the long run attain a position of dominion within the global market. However, the current trends in internet retailing have revealed that this has not happened as the earlier commentators have realized that most of their speculations were rather overblown since the high street market has weathered the storm. This is mainly because the retailers who are taking part in the activities are not making their own custom cannibal; the marketplace is not being fully dominated by the virtual merchants and the fact that the high streets have not been completely put out of business. Thus, most of the predictions that were made at the dawn of the internet era have not come to reality. This is in spite of the fact that some of speculations have come to pass. They include the vital role that is currently being played by the electronic intermediaries, especially on the aspect of making one-on-one marketing become a

Strategic Planning Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Strategic Planning - Essay Example Strategic planning may be one individual’s job, but it gets very risky when it is so. To make strategic planning practicable, it is imperative that teamwork is involved in this process. Strategic planning is based on cooperation among the team members that make it. Different people have specific skills and expertise in different fields. Strategic planning, particularly in the contemporary age, is based on the cooperation of experts having specific skills in distinct fields including technology, planning, and management. Coordination is fundamental to the success of strategic planning. Planning is made strategic when a team of experts from different origins and backgrounds and having association with different organizations, cultures, or subcultures are united at one platform and are told the objective that needs to be achieved. â€Å"†¦engaged leadership in the whole process of strategic planning including the implementation, particularly with regard to the three Cs is t he key to success† (Zomorrodian, 2011, p. 1130). Hence, the role and importance of the three C’s in the process of strategic planning cannot be overemphasized. Strategic planning can be understood as assessment of an organization’s needs for the advancement of its goals and missions in a particular time period. When collaboration is integrated into this process, it provides the organization with a way to exchange knowledge, skills, and competencies with different people participating in the process so that the goals can be modified and development can be ensued. This imparts the need to have enough resources as well as a culture that appreciates and encourages cooperation and teamwork. Cooperation plays the role of a catalyst when integrated in the process of strategic planning as it counteracts competition among the team members. Cooperation means development of

Gun Control Synthesis and Paraphrase Research Paper

Gun Control Synthesis and Paraphrase - Research Paper Example A recent Los Angeles Times article stated ‘active compliance’ is the surest way to survive a robbery. â€Å"Victims who engage in active resistance...have the best odds of hanging on to their property. Unfortunately, they also have much better odds of winding up dead." The data provided from 1979 to 1987 by the Department of Justices National Crime Victimization Survey, Lawrence Southwick of SUNY, Buffalo found that it is better to resist attack with a gun but if no gun is available, it is better to offer no resistance than to fight. (Press, 2013) It is a different issue altogether when it involves criminals with guns. This is because it is assumed that criminals shoot haphazardly. Criminals are seen to be about self preservation thus making possession of a handgun to be less than likely. Further, convicted felons are more afraid of armed victims than running into the police. In such situations where deterrence is more important to the criminal because of the fear of getting shot, the criminals prey on the weaker members of society. This is known as the ‘substitute effect.’ ‘Third party effects’ or ‘external benefits’ is the process through which people who are not directly involved in deterring the criminals through gun carrying are also protected as a result of the fearfulness of the criminals. Victims have also not been left behind with the ‘open-carry’ gun law. (Krouse, 2012) The question now arises; why would someone travel across state lines to shoot another in a different state after buying the gun in a different state? Is it the policies that are in place that are wrong? (Lott, 1998) According to The Numbers Debate and Crime, there are a lot of misconceptions that are being thrown around as causes of gun related fatalities, key among them being that most people are killed by people they know. This is a misconception because being someone’s acquaintance does

Exploring gender difference in social anxiety Term Paper

Exploring gender difference in social anxiety - Term Paper Example There is a major lack of data relative to the effect of gender on social anxiety. The aim of this study is to investigate the gender difference in social anxiety using results from both self-report questionnaire and experimental setting. The hope is to bring to light information that can be crucial to use to aid those suffering from social anxiety. This study contains one central question that needs to be addressed: â€Å"Is there a gender difference in the experience of social anxiety?† A part of this study also explores whether or not individual experience of social anxiety is fully uncovered by self-report questionnaires. It intends to investigate how male gender roles affect their responses to the questionnaires. It is possible that males tend to underreport their fear and stress than females. This fact alone causes some false information to be conveyed in this area. There is not only an issue with differences in prevalence and clinical samples, the gender experience of social anxiety in men and women also lack discussion. The majority of studies that are completed on social anxiety and social phobia are based on self-report questionnaires. These do not always reveal what the individual with anxiety is actually experiencing, their highs and lows and other crucial information. In considering this topic I suggest that the current findings in gender difference in social anxiety are biased due to gender socialization. The experience of social anxiety provoking situations is the same across genders. Men on an average are equally likely to experience high social anxiety as women. There are a large number of theories and studies done on gender behavioral and psychological differences. For example, the evolutionary neuroandrogenic theory promulgated by Ellis predicts that phobia in general is more common among females than

Political Trials And What Can They Tell Us About The Relationship Essay

Political Trials And What Can They Tell Us About The Relationship Between Law And Politics - Essay Example Sometimes, there are no political officials used in these trials. In such cases, the fact that these trials address political agendas becomes the differentiating factor (Aegis 2009, p.57). Political trials either fall in any of the four categories. This paper addresses the description of the four categories. Most of these trials fall in the partisan trial category. The partisan category is the most common of the four. The law defines the partisan trial as a trial in which criminal legal proceedings get sanctioned by a government in power with the hope of crushing any arising opposition. This helps to reinforce and consolidate this government’s power (Aristotle 2006, p.177). The officials chosen to try these cases are normally affiliates of the government. In addition, they tend to share the same ideologies with the government in question. Therefore, from these two characteristics defining these trials, it becomes rather obvious that political trials are unjust, discriminatory and biased (Stephen 2008, p. 176). Political trials are also common in totalitarian forms of governments, ruled by leaders who are dictators. These forms of government require docility from its subjects and unquestionable co-operation for it to function. Therefore, any form of disobedience noted among the subjects; be it passive or active, leads to setting up of courts by the government comprising of political officials. The government always emerges victorious in these trials because of the biased nature of the legal proceedings (Perry 1990, p.190). Karl Marx, a prominent, sociologist advances in his conflict theory that conflict results from the ruling class’ need to hold on to their power and rule over their subordinates (Christenson 1999, p.69). Marx’s theory helps to explain why a government in power sets up biased, criminal legal proceedings in the attempt to squash opposition from the subordinates. These trials instill fear through the consequences that result f rom the political officials’ ruling. A historical perspective provides examples of partisan trials. Adolf Hitler, Mussolini and Joseph Stalin among other dictators sanctioned many partisan trials during their reign. They used them to control their subjects (Grigsby 2011, p.77). Those found guilty received harsh, inhumane treatment. They served as examples to other subjects who wanted to oppose the existing government. Prosecution of religious and political rebels driven by their conscience and moral obligations to the cause they fight for and believe in; is another political trial. Unlike partisan trials, these trials’ main characteristic includes the trying of defendants with impartial court officials. These trails are also acutely sensitive and can either reflect negatively or positively on the government (Laughland 2008, p.256). For example, if the government publicizes the court proceedings, these rebels are likely to challenge the legitimacy of the laws they the g overnment is accusing them of breaking, therefore, attracting a public spectacle. On the other hand, the government cannot look the other way and avoid dealing with the unlawful rebels. This is because the government’s subjects will perceive it as weak and incapable of proper leadership. Therefore, the government understands that the rebels driving force lies in their beliefs. It also considers the fact that they have many supporters making them hugely influential. Therefore, they pose a significant risk to the governments. Thus, the use of impartial court officials proves to be the best strategy the government can use. This is because it prevents future, negative public opinion which might work against

European Mens Handball Championship Essay Example for Free

European Mens Handball Championship Essay HANDBALL (also known as team handball, Olympic handball or European handball) is a team sport in which two teams of seven players each (six outfield players and a goalkeeper) pass a ball to throw it into the goal of the other team. The team with the most goals after two periods of 30 minutes[clarification needed] wins. Modern handball is usually played indoors, but outdoor variants exist in the forms of field handball and Czech handball (which were more common in the past) and beach handball (also called sandball). American handball and Gaelic handball are completely different sports to team handball. The game is quite fast and includes body contact as the defenders try to stop the attackers from approaching the goal. Contact is only allowed when the defensive player is completely in front of the offensive player, i.e. between the offensive player and the goal. This is referred to as a player sandwich. Any contact from the side or especially from behind is considered dangerous and is usually met with penalties. When a defender successfully stops an attacking player, the play is stopped and restarted by the attacking team from the spot of the infraction or on the nine meter line. Unlike in basketball where players are allowed to commit only 5 fouls in a game (6 in the NBA), handball players are allowed an unlimited number of faults, which are considered good defence and disruptive to the attacking teams rhythm. Goals are scored quite frequently; usually both teams score at least 20 goals each, and it is not uncommon for both teams to score more than 30 goals. This was not true in the earliest history of the game, when the scores were more akin to that of ice hockey[clarification needed]. But, as offensive play has improved since the late 1980s, particularly the use of counterattacks (fast breaks) after a failed attack from the other team, goal scoring has increased. Origins and development There are records of handball-like games in medieval France, and among the Inuit in Greenland, in the Middle Ages. By the 19th century, there existed similar games of hà ¥ndbold from Denmark, hà ¡zenà ¡ in the Czech Republic, hà ¡dzanà ¡ in Slovakia, gandbol in Ukraine, torball in Germany, as well as versions in Uruguay. The team handball game of today was formed by the end of the 19th century in northern Europe, primarily Denmark, Germany, Norway and Sweden. Holger Nielsen, a Danish gym teacher, drew up the rules for modern handball (hà ¥ndbold) in 1898 and published them in 1906, and Rasmus Nicolai Ernst, another Danish teacher, did something similar in 1897. Modern Handball is therefore widely considered a game of Danish origins. Another set of team Handball rules was published on 29 October 1917 by Max Heiser, Karl Schelenz, and Erich Konigh from Germany. After 1919 these rules were improved by Karl Schelenz. The first international games were played under these rules, between Germany and Belgium for men in 1925 and between Germany and Austria for women in 1930. In 1926, the Congress of the International Amateur Athletics Federation nominated a committee to draw up international rules for field handball. The International Amateur Handball Federation was formed in 1928, and the International Handball Federation was formed in 1946. Mens field handball was played at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. During the next several decades, indoor handball flourished and evolved in the Scandinavian countries. The sport re-emerged onto the world stage as team handball for the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich. Womens team handball was added at the 1976 Summer Olympics. Due to its popularity in the region, the Eastern European countries that refined the event became the dominant force in the sport when it was reintroduced. The International Handball Federation organized the mens world championship in 1938 and every 4 (sometimes 3) years from World War II to 1995. Since the 1995 world championship in Iceland, the competition has been every two years. The womens world championship has been played since 1957. The IHF also organizes womens and mens junior world championships. By July 2009, the IHF listed 166 member federations approximately 795,000 teams and 19 million players. Rules Unless otherwise noted, the rules described are the official international rules[1] provided by the International Handball Federation (IHF). Summary The handball playing field is similar to an indoor soccer field. Two teams of seven players (six field players plus one goalkeeper) take the field and attempt to score points by putting the game ball into the opposing teams goal. In handling the ball, players are subject to the following restrictions: After receiving the ball, players can only hold the ball for three seconds before passing, dribbling (similar to a basketball dribble), or shooting. After receiving the ball, players can take up to three steps without dribbling. If players dribble, they may take an additional three steps. Players that stop dribbling have three seconds to pass or shoot. They may take three additional steps during this time. No players other than the defending goalkeeper are allowed within the goal line (within 6 meters of the goal). Goalkeepers are allowed outside this line. [edit] Playing field Handball is played on a court 40 by 20 metres (130 Ãâ€" 66 ft), with a goal in the center of each end. The goals are surrounded by a near-semicircular area, called the zone or the crease, defined by a line six meters from the goal. A dashed near-semicircular line nine meters from the goal marks the free-throw line. Each line on the court is part of the area it encompasses. This implies that the middle line belongs to both halves at the same time. Goals Each goal has a rectangular clearance area of three meters in the width and two meters in the height. It are be securely bolted either to the floor or the wall behind. The goal posts and the crossbar are be made out of the same material (e.g. wood or aluminium) and feature a quadratic cross section with a side of 8 cm (3 inches). The three sides of the beams visible from the playing field are be painted alternatingly in two contrasting colors which both have to contrast against the background. The colors on both goals are the same. Each goal has to feature a net. This are be fastened in such a way that a ball thrown into does not leave or pass the goal under normal circumstances. If necessary, a second net may be clasped to the back of the net on the inside. Goal perimeter The goals are surrounded by the crease. This area is delimited by two quarter circles with a radius of six meters around the far corners of each goal post and a connecting line parallel to the goal line. Only the defending goalkeeper is allowed inside this perimeter. However, the court players may catch and touch the ball in the air within it as long as the player starts his jump outside the zone and releases the ball before he lands (landing inside the perimeter is allowed in this case). If a player contacts the ground inside the goal perimeter he are take the most direct path out of it. However, should a player cross the zone in an attempt to gain an advantage (e.g. better position) his team cedes the ball. Similarly, violation of the zone by a defending player is only penalized if he does so to gain an advantage in defending. Substitution area Outside of one long edge of the playing field to both sides of the middle line are the substitution areas for each team. The areas usually contain the benches as seating opportunities. Team officials, substitutes and suspended players are wait within this area. The area always lies to the same side as the teams own goal. During half-time substitution areas are swapped. Any player entering or leaving the play are cross the substitution line which is part of the side line and extends 4.5 meters from the middle line to the teams side. Duration Team timeout. A standard match for all teams of 16 and older has two periods of 30 minutes with a 15 minute half-time. Teams switch sides of the court at halftime, as well as benches. For youths the game duration is: 2 x 25 minutes at ages 12 to 16. 2 x 20 minutes at ages 8 to 12. However, national federations of some countries may differ in their implementation from the official guidelines. If a decision are be reached in a particular match (e.g. in a tournament) and it ends in a draw after regular time, there are at maximum two overtimes of 2 x 5 minutes with a 1 minute break each. Should these not decide the game either, the winning team is determined in a penalty shootout (best-of-5 rounds; if still tied, extra rounds afterwards until won by one team). The referees may call timeout according to their sole discretion, typical reasons are injuries, suspensions or court cleaning. Penalty throws should only trigger a timeout for lengthy delays as a change of the goalkeeper. Each team may call one team timeout (TTO) per period which lasts one minute. This right may only be invoked by team in ball possession. To do so, the representative of the team lays a green card marked by black T on the desk of the timekeeper. The timekeeper then immediately interrupts the game by sounding an acoustic signal and stops the time. Referees A Handball match is led by two equal referees.Namely the goal line referee and the court referee. Some national bodies allow games with only a single referee in special cases like illness on short notice. Should the referees disagree on any occasion, a decision is made on mutual agreement during a short timeout, or, in case of punishments, the more severe of the two comes into effect. The referees are obliged to make their decisions on the basis of their observations of facts.[2] Their judgements are final and can only be appealed against if not in compliance with the rules. The referees (blue shirts) keep both teams between them. The referees position themselves in such a way that the team players are confined between them. They stand diagonally aligned so that each can observe one side line. Depending on their positions one is called field referee and the other goal referee. These positions automatically switch on ball turnover. They physically exchange their positions approximately every 10 minutes (long exchange) and change sides every 5 minutes (short exchange). The IHF defines 18 hand signals for quick visual communication with players and officials. The signal for warning or disqualification is accompanied by a yellow or red card, [3] respectively. The referees also use whistle blows to indicate infractions or restart the play. The referees are supported by a scorekeeper and a timekeeper who attend to formal things like keeping track of goals and suspensions or starting and stopping the clock, respectively. They also have an eye on the benches and notify the referees on substitution errors. Their desk is located in between both substitutions areas. Team players, substitutes and officials Each team consists of 7 players on court and up to 7 substitute players on the bench. One player on the court are be the designated goalkeeper differing in his or her clothing from the rest of the field players. Substitution of players can be done in any number and at any time during game play. An exchange takes place over the substitution line. A prior notification of the referees is not necessary. Some national bodies as the Deutscher Handball Bund (DHB, German Handball Federation) allow substitution in junior teams only when in ball possession or during timeouts. This restriction is intended to prevent early specialization of players to offense or defense. Field players Field players are allowed to touch the ball with any part of their bodies above and including the knee. As in several other team sports, a distinction is made between catching and dribbling. A player who is in possession of the ball may stand stationary for only three seconds and may only take three steps. They are then either shoot, pass or dribble the ball. At any time taking more than three steps is considered travelling and results in a turnover. A player may dribble as many times as he wants (though since passing is faster it is the preferred method of attack) as long as during each dribble his hand contacts only the top of the ball. Therefore basketball-style carrying is completely prohibited, and results in a turnover. After the dribble is picked up, the player has the right to another three seconds or three steps. The ball are then be passed or shot as further holding or dribbling will result in a double dribble turnover and a free throw for the other team. Other offensive infractions that result in a turnover include, charging, setting an illegal screen, or carrying the ball into the six meter zone. [edit] Goalkeeper Only the goalkeeper is allowed to move freely within the goal perimeter, although he may not cross the goal perimeter line while carrying or dribbling the ball. Within the zone, he is allowed to touch the ball with all parts of his body including his feet. The goalkeeper may participate in the normal play of his team mates. As he is then considered as normal field player, he is typically substituted for a regular field player if his team uses this scheme to outnumber the defending players. As this player becomes the designated goalkeeper on the court, he are wear some vest or bib to identify himself as such. If the goalkeeper deflects the ball over the outer goal line, his team stays in possession of the ball in contrast to other sports like football. The goalkeeper resumes the play with a throw from within the zone (goalkeeper throw). Passing to your own goalkeeper results in a turnover. Throwing the ball against the head of the goalkeeper when he is not moving is to be punished by disqualification (red card). Team officials Each team is allowed to have a maximum of four team officials seated on the benches. An official is anybody who is neither player nor substitute. One official are be the designated representative who is usually the team manager. The representative may call team timeout once every period and may address scorekeeper, timekeeper and referees. Other officials typically include physicians or managers. Neither official is allowed to enter the playing court without permission of the referees. Ball A size III handball. The ball is spherical and are either be made of leather or a synthetic material. It is not allowed to have a shiny or slippery surface. As it is intended to be operated by a single hand, the official sizes vary depending on age and gender of the participating teams. Size Resin product used to improve ball handling. Though not officially regulated, the ball is usually resinated. The resin improves the ability of the players to manipulate the ball with a single hand like spinning trick shots. Some indoor arenas prohibit the usage of resin since many products leave sticky stains on the floor. Awarded throws The referees may award a special throw to a team. This usually happens after certain events like scored goals, off-court balls, turnovers, timeouts, etc. All of these special throws require the thrower to obtain a certain position and pose restrictions on the positions of all other players. Sometimes the execution are wait for a whistle blow by the referee. Throw-off A throw-off takes place from the center of the court. The thrower are touch the middle line with one foot and all of the other players are be in the half of their team. The defending players are keep a distance of at least three meters to the thrower. A throw-off occurs at the begin of each period and after the opposing team scored a goal. It are be cleared by the referees. Modern Handball introduced the fast throw-off concept, i. e. the play will be immediately restarted by the referees as soon as the executing team fulfilles its requirements. Many teams leverage this rule to score easy goals before the opposition has time to form a stable defense line. Throw-in The team which did not touch the ball last is awarded a throw-in when the ball fully crosses the side line or touches the ceiling. If the ball crosses the outer goal line, a throw-in is only awarded if the defending field players touched the balls last. Execution requires the thrower to place one foot on the nearest outer line to the cause. All defending players are keep a distance of three meters. However, they are allowed to stand immediately outside their own goal area even when the distance is less. Goalkeeper-throw If ball crosses the outer goal line without interference from the defending team or when deflected by their goalkeeper, a goalkeeper-throw is awarded to the defending team. This is the most common turnover. The goalkeeper resumes the play with a throw from anywhere within his goal area. Free-throw A free-throw restarts the play after an interruption by the referees. It takes places from the spot where the interruption was caused as long as this spot is outside of the free-throw line of the opposing team. In the latter case the throw is deferred to the nearest spot on the free-throw line. Free-throws are the equivalent to free-kicks in association football. The thrower may take a direct attempt for a goal which is, however, not feasible if the defending team organized a defense. A 7-meter throw. 7-meter throw A 7-meter throw is awarded when a clear chance of scoring is illegally prevented anywhere on the court by a opposing team player, official or spectator. It is also awarded when the referees interrupted a legitimate scoring chance for any reason. The thrower steps with one foot behind the 7-meter line with only the defending goalkeeper between him and the goal. The goalkeeper are keep a distance of three meters which is marked by a short tick on the floor. All other players are remain behind the free-throw line until execution. The thrower are await the whistle blow of the referee. A 7-meter throw is the equivalent to a penalty kick in association football, it is, however, far more common and typically occurs several times in a single game. Penalties Yellow card shown in a handball match. Penalties are given to players, in progressive format, for fouls that require more punishment than just a free-throw. Actions directed mainly at the opponent and not the ball (such as reaching around, holding, pushing, hitting, tripping, or jumping into opponent) as well as contact from the side or from behind a player are all considered illegal and subject to penalty. Any infraction that prevents a clear scoring opportunity, will result in a seven-meter penalty shot. Typically the referee will give a warning yellow card for an illegal action, but if the contact was particularly dangerous the referee can forego the warning for an immediate two-minute suspension. A player can only get one warning before receiving a two minute suspension. One player is only permitted two 2-minute suspensions; third time he/she will be shown the red card. A red card results in an ejection from the game and a two minute penalty for the team. A player may receive a red card directly for particularly rough penalties. For instance any contact from behind during a fast break is now being treated with a red card. A red carded player has to leave the playing area completely. A player who is disqualified may be substituted with another player after the two minute penalty is served. A Coach/Official can also be penalized progressively. Any coach/official who receives a 2-minute suspension will have to pull out one of his players for two minutes note: the player is not the one punished and can be substituted in again, because the main penalty is the team playing with a man less than the other. After having lost the ball during an attack, the ball has to be laid down quickly or else the player not following this rule will face a 2-minute suspension. Also gesticulating or verbally questioning the referees order, as well as arguing with the officials decisions, will normally result in a 2-minute suspension. If it is done in a very provocative way, a player can be given a double 2-minute suspension if he/she does not walk straight off the field to the bench after being given a suspension, or if the referee deems the tempo deliberately slow. Illegal substitution, any substitution that does not take place in the specified substitution area or where the entering player enters before the exiting player exits is also punishable with a 2 minute suspension. Gameplay Formations Positions of attacking (red) and defending players (blue), in a 5-1 defense formation. (German captions) Players are typically referred to by the position they are playing. The positions are always denoted from the view of the respective goalkeeper, so that a defender on the right opposes an attacker on the left. However, not all of the following positions may be occupied depending on the formation or potential suspensions. Offense Left and right wingman. These typically excel at ball control and wide jumps from the outside of the goal perimeter to get into a better shooting angle at the goal. Teams usually try to occupy the left position with a right-handed player and vice versa. Left and right backcourt. Goal attempts by these players are typically made by jumping high and shooting over the defenders. Thus, it is usually advantageous to have tall players for these positions. Center backcourt. A player with experience is preferred on this position who acts as playmaker and the handball equivalent of a basketball point guard. Pivot (left and right, if applicable). This player tends to intermingle with the defense, setting picks and attempting to disrupt the defense formation. This positions requires the least jumping skills but ball control and physical strength are an advantage. Defense Far left and far right. The opponents of the wingmen. Half left and half right. The opponents of the left and right backcourts. Back center (left and right). Opponent of the pivot. Front center. Opponent of the center backcourt, may also be set against another specific backcourt player. Offensive play Attacks are played with all field players on the side of the defenders. Depending on the speed of the attack, one distinguishes between three attack waves with a decreasing chance of success: Womens Handball a jump shot completes a fastbreak. Mens Handball a jump shot (Kiril Lazarov, world record-holder for the number of goals scored in one World Championship) . First Wave First wave attacks are characterized by the absence of defending players around their goal perimeter. The chance of success is very high, as the throwing player is unhindered in his scoring attempt. Such attacks typically occur after an intercepted pass or a steal and if the defending team can switch fast to offense. The far left/far right will usually try to run the attack as they are not as tightly bound in the defense. On a turnover, they immediately sprint forward and receive the ball halfway to the other goal. Thus, these positions are commonly held by quick players.[citation needed] Second Wave If the first wave is not successful and some defending players gained their positions around the zone, the second wave comes into play: The remaining players advance with quick passes to locally outnumber the retreating defenders. If one player manages to step up to the perimeter or catches the ball at this spot he becomes unstoppable by legal defensive means. From this position the chance of success is naturally very high. Second wave attacks became much more important with the fast throw-off rule.[citation needed] Third Wave The time during which the second wave may be successful is very short, as then the defenders closed the gaps around the zone. In the third wave, the attackers use standardized attack patterns usually involving crossing and passing between the back court players who either try to pass the ball through a gap to their pivot, take a jumping shot from the backcourt at the goal, or lure the defense away from a wingman.[citation needed] The third wave evolves into the normal offensive play when all defenders reach not only the zone but gain their accustomed positions. Some teams then substitute specialized offense players. However, this implies that these players are play in the defense should the opposing team be able to switch quickly to offense. The latter is another benefit for fast playing teams.[citation needed] If the attacking team does not make sufficient progress (eventually releasing a shot on goal), the referees can call passive play (since about 1995, the referee gives a passive warning some time before the actual call by holding one hand up in the air, signaling that the attacking team should release a shot soon), turning control over to the other team. A shot on goal or an infringement leading to a yellow card or two minute penalty will mark the start of a new attack, causing the hand to be taken down, but a shot blocked by the defense or a normal free throw will not. If it were not for this rule, it would be easy for an attacking team to stall the game indefinitely, as it is difficult to intercept a pass without at the same time conceding dangerous openings towards the goal.[citation needed] [edit] Defensive play The usual formations of the defense are 6-0, when all the defense players line up between the 6 meter and 9 meter lines to form a wall; the 5-1, when one of the players cruises outside the 9 meter perimeter, usually targeting the center forwards while the other 5 line up on the six meter line; and the lesser common 4-2 when there are two such defenders out front. Very fast teams will also try a 3-3 formation which is close to a switching man-to-man style. The formations vary greatly from country to country and reflect each countrys style of play. 6-0 is sometimes known as flat defense, and all other formations are usually called offensive defense.[citation needed] Organization Handball teams are usually organized as clubs. On a national level, the clubs are associated in federations which organize matches in leagues and tournaments. International bodies The administrative and controlling body for international Handball is the International Handball Federation (IHF). The federation organizes world championships, separate for men and women, held in uneven years.[4] The final round is hosted in one of its member states. Current title holders are France (men)[5] and Russia (women).[6] The IHF is composed of five continental federations which organize continental championships held every other second year. In addition to these competitions between national teams, the federations arrange international tournaments between club teams.[7] The federations and their corresponding tournaments and members are summarized in the following table: International Handball Federation (IHF) Championship World Mens Handball Championship – World Womens Handball Championship Club Super Globe Members Asia – Asian Handball Federation (AHF) Championship Asian Womens Handball Championship – Asian Mens Handball Championship Club Asian Club League Handball Championship Members Afghanistan †¢ Bahrain †¢ Bangladesh †¢ China †¢ Chinese Taipei †¢ Hong Kong †¢ India †¢ Iran †¢ Iraq †¢ Japan †¢ Jordan †¢ Kazakhstan †¢ Kuwait †¢ Kyrgyzstan †¢ Lebanon †¢ Macau †¢ Malaysia †¢ Mongolia †¢ Nepal †¢ North Korea †¢ Oman †¢ Pakistan †¢ Palestinian Authority †¢ Philippines †¢ Qatar †¢ Saudi Arabia †¢ South Korea †¢ Syria †¢ Tajikistan †¢ Thailand †¢ Turkmenistan †¢ United Arab Emirates †¢ Uzbekistan †¢ Vietnam †¢ Yemen Africa – Confà ©dà ©ration Africaine de Handball (CAHB) Championship African Handball Nations Championship Club Champions League – Cup Winners Cup Members Algeria †¢ Angola †¢ Burundi †¢ Benin †¢ Cameroon †¢ Republic of Cape Verde †¢ Central African Republic †¢ Chad †¢ Comoros †¢ Congo †¢ Democratic Republic of the Congo †¢ Djibouti †¢ Egypt †¢ Ethiopia †¢ Gabon †¢ Gambia †¢ Ghana †¢ Guinea †¢ Guinea-Bissau †¢ Ivory Coast †¢ Kenya †¢ Lesotho †¢ Liberia †¢ Libya †¢ Madagascar †¢ Mali †¢ Mauritania †¢ Mauritius †¢ Morocco †¢ Mozambique †¢ Namibia †¢ Nigeria †¢ Niger †¢ Rwanda †¢ Senegal †¢ Seychelles †¢ Sierra Leone †¢ Somalia †¢ South Africa †¢ Sudan †¢ Tanzania †¢ Togo †¢ Tunisia †¢ Uganda †¢ Zambia †¢ Zimbabwe Pan-America – Pan-American Team Handball Federation (PATHF) Championship American Handball Championship Members Argentina †¢ Barbados †¢ Brazil †¢ Canada †¢ Chile †¢ Colombia †¢ Costa Rica †¢ Cuba †¢ Dominican Republic †¢ Ecuador †¢ El Salvador †¢ Greenland †¢ Guatemala †¢ Haiti †¢ Honduras †¢ Mexico †¢ Nicaragua †¢ Panama †¢ Paraguay †¢ Puerto Rico †¢ Trinidad and Tobago †¢ United States †¢ Uruguay †¢ Venezuela Oceania – Oceania Handball Federation (OHF) Championship Oceania Handball Nations Cup Club Oceania Champions Cup Members Australia †¢ Cook Islands †¢ New Zealand †¢ Samoa †¢ Vanuatu †¢ French Polynesia †¢ New Caledonia †¢ Wallis and Futuna Europe – European Handball Federation (EHF) Championship European Womens Handball Championship – European Mens Handball Championship Club Women Champions League †¢ Cup Winners Cup †¢ EHF Cup †¢ Challenge Cup †¢ Champions Trophy Men Champions League †¢ Cup Winners Cup †¢ EHF Cup †¢ Challenge Cup †¢ Champions Trophy Members Albania †¢ Armenia †¢ Austria †¢ Azerbaijan †¢ Belarus †¢ Belgium †¢ Bosnia and Herzegovina †¢ Bulgaria †¢ Croatia †¢ Cyprus †¢ Czech Republic †¢ Denmark †¢ England †¢ Estonia †¢ Faroe Islands †¢ Finland †¢ France †¢ Georgia †¢ Germany †¢ Greece †¢ Hungary †¢ Iceland †¢ Ireland †¢ Israel †¢ Italy †¢ Latvia †¢ Liechtenstein †¢ Lithuania †¢ Luxembourg †¢ Macedonia †¢ Malta †¢ Moldova †¢ Monaco †¢ Montenegro †¢ Netherlands †¢ Norway †¢ Poland †¢ Portugal †¢ Romania †¢ Russia †¢ Scotland †¢ Serbia †¢ Slovakia †¢ Slovenia †¢ Spain †¢ Sweden †¢ Switzerland †¢ Turkey †¢ Ukraine †¢ Great Britain †¢ Kosovo Handball is an olympic sport played during the Summer Olympics.[8] It is also played during the Pan American Games,[9] All-Africa Games,[10] an d Asian Games.[8] National competitions Bosnia and Herzegovina: Handball Championship of Bosnia and Herzegovina Croatia: Croatian First League of Handball Czech : Zubr extraliga Denmark: GuldBageren Ligaen, Jack Jones Ligaen France: Ligue Nationale de Handball Germany: Handball-Bundesliga Greece: Greek Mens handball championship Hungary: Nemzeti Bajnoksà ¡g I (men), Nemzeti Bajnoksà ¡g I (women) Iceland: N1 deildin Montenegro: First League (men), First League (women), Second League (women) Poland: Polish Ekstraklasa Mens Handball League, Polish Ekstraklasa Womens Handball League Portugal: Liga Portuguesa de Andebol, Divisà £o de Elite Romania: Liga NaÃ… £ionalÄÆ' (men), Liga NaÃ… £ionalÄÆ' (women) Scotland: Scottish Handball League Serbia: Serbian First League of Handball Slovakia: Slovenskà ¡ hadzanà ¡rska extraliga Slovenia: Slovenian First League of Handball, Handball Cup of Slovenia Spain: Liga ASOBAL, Divisià ³n de Plata de Balonmano Sweden: Elitserien Turkey: Turkish Handball Super League United States: U.S. intercollegiate handball championships Commemorative coins Handball commemorative coin Handball events have been selected as a main motif in numerous collectors coins. One of the recent samples is the â‚ ¬10 Greek Handball commemorative coin, minted in 2003 to commemorate the 2004 Summer Olympics. On the coin, the modern athlete directs the ball in his hands towards his target, while in the background the ancient athlete is just about to throw a ball, in a game known as cheirosphaira, in a representation taken from a black-figure pottery vase of the Archaic period. References : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Team_handball