Handball balls to give for Christmas

A new ball for the post-holiday comeback

A ball easily slips under the Christmas tree and is used from the session following the holidays. It's also a gift that a player doesn't always buy for themselves: at the club, they play with the team's balls, often worn and slick from the resin. Having one's own allows for practicing skills in the garden, on a local pitch, or before warm-up.

Size 0, 1, 2 or 3: align with the category

The sizes of balls correspond to the age and gender of the players. The guidelines below come from the international ball regulations, but each competition may specify its own rules: if in doubt, ask the coach.

• Size 3: senior men and boys from 16 years old.
• Size 2: women, girls from 14 years old, and boys aged 12 to 16.
• Size 1: girls aged 8 to 14 and boys aged 8 to 12.
• Size 0 and mini: the youngest ones, from baby-hand to mini-hand, and small gifts for playing at home.

Match ball or training ball

A match ball has a finer and more refined surface: it sticks better to the fingers and flies straighter, but wears out faster if used every session. A training ball is more durable, it withstands shots against the wall and repeated sessions. For a young player or a casual player, the latter is often the best choice. For a competitor, the first makes a memorable gift.

With or without resin, depending on the gym

Many municipalities prohibit resin in their halls because it stains the floors. Balls said to be without resin have a more gripping surface that compensates for the lack of glue, and the international regulations give them slightly lower dimensions and weight compared to a standard ball. Before buying, check the club's usage: the product sheet specifies for each model whether it is played with or without resin.

Select, Hummel, Kempa, Erima, Molten: balls by brand

Each brand has its own feel. To compare, check the brand pages in the selection.

• Christmas Select balls: the Danish brand supplies the official ball of the EHF Champions League, the Ultimate, and also offers an Ultimate in LNH colours and the HB Force.
• Hummel: Storm Pro and Evolution Pro balls for demanding players, and Classic and Energizer ranges for training.
• Christmas Kempa balls: the Spectrum Synergy range spans from training to match, with the Buteo as a supplement.
• Christmas Erima balls: the Flash range goes from training balls to the Flash Elite, which is more match-oriented.
• Christmas Molten balls: the D60 and D60 Pro, and balls in the colours of the FFHB. Molten also supplies the official ball for international federation competitions.

The collector's ball for the supporter

A handball fan who no longer plays will appreciate a ball in the colours of a competition they follow: Champions League, LNH, LFH, European Championship, or club balls like that of PSG. These are real balls, playable like the others, but their design also makes them a nice item to display on a shelf.

Bargain balls before and after Christmas

If the budget is tight, check out the gift ideas under €50, where training balls are plentiful. Outside the holiday period, the special ball offers and ball clearance stay open, and the ball sales arrive after the holidays.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I find a cheap handball for Christmas?

Training balls are the most affordable in the selection, and the page for budget gift ideas has a lot of them. Then filter by size to see only what's appropriate for the player's category.

What ball should I give to an 8-year-old?

At this age, they generally play with a size 0 or size 1, depending on the club category. Choose a soft ball that is easy to catch, rather than a match ball. The coach will tell you which size is used in training.

How can I wrap a ball so it doesn't get guessed?

You can partially deflate it to slide it into a flat box. Then have a pump with a needle ready to inflate it to the pressure marked near the valve before the first session.

What pressure should I inflate a handball to?

The recommended pressure is printed on the ball, next to the valve. An over-inflated ball becomes hard and bounces badly, while an under-inflated ball deforms and wears out faster. Always moisten the needle before inserting it into the valve.

Is a match ball a good gift for a beginner?

Not really: its fine surface wears out quickly during repeated sessions, and a beginner doesn't yet benefit from its precision. A good quality training ball will last longer and help them improve better.