Worksheets

Shooting has a long history. Some shooting clubs in Germany are over 500 years old. The Paralympic Shooting programme includes both rifle and pistol events for men and women. Have you ever practised shooting? If not, do you think you would be a good shot?

Hockey is the oldest known game played with a ball and stick. It was played in Persia more than 4,000 years ago and has been an Olympic sport since 1908. Do you know where the name ‘hockey’ comes from? Have you ever played hockey? Do you know the rules?

Fencing is a very old sport and one of the longest established Olympic sports. In the Paralympic Games, Wheelchair Fencing athletes compete in wheelchairs that are fastened to the floor. This allows fencers freedom of movement but keeps the athletes fixed in their chairs. Have you ever seen Fencing on the TV or live?

Have you ever played volleyball? Sitting volleyball first developed in the 1950s. It is a combination of volleyball and a German game called Sitzball. It is played indoors by two teams of either men or women. There are six players on each team. It is one of the fastest and most exciting Paralympic sports.

Goalball was developed as an activity to help soldiers who suffered eye injuries in the Second World War. Since then it has spread around the world. It is now played in more than 100 countries. It is played by teams of three visually impaired athletes who try to score by rolling the ball into the other team’s goal. The ball has bells inside so that the players can hear it. Have you ever seen a game of Goalball?

Handball was developed in Denmark, Sweden and Germany in the late 19th century. It is a team sport in which two teams of seven players each pass a ball to throw it into the goal of the other team. It is a thrilling sport to watch, sometimes with more than fifty goals in a single match. Have you ever seen a handball match? Have you ever played in one? Would you like to?