The right handball gear from day one: how to choose ball size, grippy indoor shoes and protection — plus what the deal with resin really is.
## Introduction "What do I really need for handball — and what's just expensive stuff?" — the honest answer: surprisingly little, but two things have to be right. The right ball and good indoor shoes decide grip, throw and your safety. Everything else is comfort. The most common beginner mistake is an oversized ball: if the ball doesn't fit your hand, you can't grip it cleanly or swing your arm back freely — your throw suffers immediately.
So first the hard number that saves you from bad buys: size 3 for men and male youth over 16 (58–60 cm circumference, 425–475 g), size 2 for women and youth (54–56 cm, 325–375 g), size 1 for children (50–52 cm, 290–330 g). And since handball lives on fast stops and landings, the second key is your shoe: good grip and stability protect exactly the joints that suffer most in handball — knee and ankle. This guide takes you through the gear once, completely.
## What You Need - A handball in the right size (3, 2 or 1). - Indoor shoes with a rubberized, grippy sole and good lateral hold. - Sportswear you can move freely in. - Optional: resin or a wax-based grip aid (only where allowed). - Optional: finger or knee tape and, for some, a knee pad.
### 1. Choose the Right Ball Size The ball is your most important tool. Stick strictly to the official sizes: size 3 (men/male youth over 16), size 2 (women, female youth over 14, boys 12–16), size 1 (children). Rule of thumb for the test: you should be able to grip the ball with spread fingers and hold it one-handed for a moment. If you can't, it's too big.
### 2. Indoor Shoes with Grip Handball consists of abrupt stops, jumps and changes of direction. A shoe with a grippy rubber sole and a stable heel gives you hold and protects knee and ankle. Look for a firm fit without pressure points. Running shoes are unsuitable — their sole slips on the gym floor.
### 3. What Is Resin — and Do You Need It? Resin (handball wax) is a sticky grip aid that makes the ball practically glue to your hand, easing catching, passing and fakes. For starting out you don't need it. More important: in many gyms resin is regulated or completely banned because it dirties floors and walls. Ask at the club before buying a tin.
### 4. Protection and Clothing An unstable or previously injured finger joint can be taped for games — that's completely normal in handball. Some players wear knee pads for floor contact when falling. Otherwise: comfortable, breathable clothing you can move freely in, in every direction. Everything else is taste, not a must.
## Common Mistakes - A ball that's too big: ruins grip and throw. Fix: choose strictly by official size. - Running shoes in the gym: slippery and unstable. Fix: real indoor shoes with grip. - Buying resin before knowing the gym rules: often banned. Fix: ask at the club first. - Shoes that are too tight: pressure points and toe problems. Fix: firm but pain-free fit.
## Safety Notes Your gear is first-line injury prevention. Slippery shoes raise the risk of ankle sprains and knee injuries — exactly the most common handball problems. Tape an unstable finger joint instead of catching balls with straight, blocking fingers. And don't overdo the resin: too much makes the ball uncontrollably sticky and stresses the finger joints over time. Check your shoe sole regularly — if the tread is worn, the grip is gone and the slip risk rises.
## Pro Tip Don't buy your first ball and shoes blindly online — hold them in your hands. For the ball, test the grip with a dry hand: if you can control it one-handed, the size fits. For the shoe, do a few stops and lunges right in the store — a good handball shoe feels stable immediately and slightly "grips" the floor when you brake.
### Which handball size is right for me? Men and male youth over 16 play size 3 (58–60 cm circumference, 425–475 g). Women, female youth over 14 and boys aged 12–16 use size 2 (54–56 cm, 325–375 g). Children reach for size 1 (50–52 cm, 290–330 g). Test rule: you should be able to control the ball one-handed with spread fingers.
### Which handball shoes should I buy? What matters is a grippy rubber sole for safe stops and good lateral hold for stability during changes of direction — both protect knee and ankle. The shoe should fit firmly but pain-free. Running shoes are unsuitable because their sole slips on the gym floor. Brand is secondary; fit and grip are what count.
### What is handball resin and am I allowed to use it? Resin is a sticky grip aid that improves ball contact. Whether you may use it depends on your gym: many gyms ban or regulate resin because it dirties floors and walls. For starting out you don't need it — ask at the club before buying a tin.
### Do I need protective gear as a beginner? No special protective gear is strictly necessary. Tape can help for an unstable or previously injured finger joint, which is easily overextended in handball. Some wear knee pads for floor contact when falling. But the most important protection is good shoes and clean technique, not gear.
Handball: Basic Stance and Fundamentals