Blog Sports

The EHF is Tracking Handball Analytics with the Select iBall

The European Handball Federation (EHF) establishes the Select iBall for large tournaments to measure key figures such as ball speed, shot position and distance. But that’s not all.

Team handball uses player metrics for load management and ball tracking to provide fans more information.
MunichDec 19, 2018

The Select iBall is fresh off its appearance during another major handball sports event: The Women’s EHF EURO 2018.

The Women’s EHF Euro is a biannual handball competition for senior women’s national teams of Europe, organized by the European Handball Federation (EHF). It also serves as a qualifying tournament for the Olympic Games and World Championship.

Team handball arenas are seeing more player and ball tracking being done to help improve fan engagement.

After the successful VELUX EHF FINAL 4 2018, the European Handball Federation EHF establishes the Select iBall for major tournaments. 

In a total of five matches, including all semi-finals and the final, the Select iBall was in use and measured metrics like ball speed, shot positions and shot distance. 

Want a deeper dive? Find out how Leverkusen used ball tracking during training.

Download Case Study

The Benefits of Ball Tracking in Handball

Ball tracking is done in handball and football to collect information like ball speed and if the ball is in or out of bounds.

The results were transmitted as TV graphics via the official broadcasting signal, where a peak audience of 8.1 million watched France win in an exciting final against Russia 24:21. Further distribution channels for these statistics were the official EHF EURO 2018 app and social media, where they created thousands of likes and shares.

Ball tracking can provide information and metrics that teams can use in social posts and during television broadcasts.

It allowed fans to experience more about the players, their achievements on the court and the pace of the game and get in conversation with each other about these fascinating insights.

If you’d like to learn more about the iBall and the technology behind it, download the brochure, via the link below.

Download Brochure

The Select iBall is used by the European Handball Federation to add to the player metrics being collected because it is equipped with a sensor that gives information about the ball.
Team handball arenas are now taking advantage of sports technology including ball tracking.

More stories

Transforming Sports in 2025: Insights from KINEXON Sports for Coaches, Fans, and Referees

As sports technology evolves, 2025 promises to be a landmark year with KINEXON Sports at the forefront. Renowned for its innovations in real-time tracking and analytics, KINEXON Sports is revolutionizing the way athletes, coaches, fans, and referees experience the game. 

From delivering game-changing insights to enhancing fan engagement and officiating precision, here’s what to expect from KINEXON Sports in 2025

How Jump Count Analytics Drive Arizona State Volleyball’s Training and Match Success

Adjusting practice schedules is a fine line for coaches to walk to maximize player performance. Arizona State’s Jake Garrity, the Assistant Head Coach of Sports Performance/​Sports Science for women’s volleyball, focuses on live jump count performance analytics to lay the foundation for when the coaching staff adjusts practice intensity.

5 Facts That (Probably) Nobody Knew About KINEXON Sports Teams

Ten years ago, KINEXON Sports embarked on a journey to revolutionize the game. What began as a bold idea in Munich’s iconic Allianz Arena has evolved into a global success story, empowering over 500 elite sports teams worldwide.

As we reflect on this incredible decade, here are five surprising facts about KINEXON Sports that showcase how far we’ve come — and where we’re headed next.

Influence of the Menstrual Cycle in Team Sports – What Sports Need Now

Professionalization also brings with it more performance, more strain, and more pressure. For female athletes, this still means an increased risk of injury. The reason: individualized training and workload management must take the hormonal cycle into account. Studies on this are accumulating, but a challenge remains. 

Inside Stony Brook Athletics: The Benefits of a Multi-Sport Data Analytics Provider

Stony Brook University, known for research excellence, has upgraded its athlete performance monitoring and player safety efforts with KINEXON technology. We spoke with George Greene (Senior Associate Athletic Director of High Performance) and his team about their work to optimize training and enhance sports performance insights.

Basketball Load Data Header
Load Management in Basketball: When Does Player Tracking Become Financially Beneficial?

Player load tracking in basketball: How does data-based injury prevention, like reducing Jumper’s Knee, become financially beneficial for clubs?

SD Eibar uses football software to improve player performance.
GPS Data Boosts Player Performance, Motivation and Coaches' Confidence in SD Eibar Women's Club

To better manage player load, the SD Eibar’s women’s football team switched to a data-driven strategy powered by GPS. It’s a move that their physical trainer, Ismel Mazola says, led to more confident coaching decisions and motivated his players.

Texas A&M University Women's team uses basketball datasets, analytics, and metrics to monitor player performance.
How Basketball Data Helps Guide Texas A&M Women's Team to Early Conference Wins

After the holidays, many teams struggle to get back on track. But not Texas A&M Women’s Basketball. Their Strength and Conditioning coach uses data and analytics to avoid a slump and start fast in conference play.

Handball injuries are common, especially during matches, and a recent study sheds light on how often ligament injuries occur.
Study Reveals the Importance of an Injury Prevention Plan in European Handball

The competitive pressures and dense schedules in professional handball make injuries common among players. The results of a 6‑year study not only highlight the need for an injury prevention plan but also suggest ways coaches can develop one.

How German Handball's S&C Coach Used Data to Cut Knee Injuries by Almost 20%

Dr. Simon Overkamp, the head of strength and conditioning for the German Handball Federation, employs a data-driven strategy that not only keeps his players rested but also reduces knee injuries. And the Olympic Games play a crucial role in his approach.

Appalachian State’s Coaches Use GPS Football Technology to Manage Player Loads in Real-Time

Live GPS football data helps keep players fresh for game day. Just ask the Director of Performance for the Appalachian State Football team, Matt Greenhalgh. He shares what he thinks are some of the most critical load management metrics in the game.

Basketball analytics are tracked by using IMU and LPS systems.
Why Basketball Agility Drills Should Focus on Improving Vertical Jump Height

New research is shedding light on the importance of improving vertical jump height in basketball. Backed by data, these findings are an eye-opener for coaches because researchers say jump height can positively affect other facets of a player’s game.

handball analytics from LPS player tracking systems were used in a study to find quality scorers.
How LPS Data Helps Handball Coaches Find Quality Scorers with New Insights

Researchers used LPS data and machine learning to create a new model for predicting goals in handball. It’s now helping coaches identify their quality scorers and develop better strategies. Here’s how. 

Basketball video analysis software is used to improve the amount of contested shots players take.
Innovative Strategy Boosts Player’s 3-Point Accuracy to 60% in Conference Games

Do you have players struggling with contested 3‑point shots? Get to know a college coach with a proven method to boost shooting efficiency for high-intensity shots in as little as four weeks. 

a gps football tracker monitors college players' workloads to decrease the risk of hamstring strains.
Research Exposes What Puts College Football Players at Risk for Hamstring Strains

Hamstring strains are common among male college American football players. Researchers have been investigating potential risk factors to better understand and prevent these injuries, and they believe they have identified three that all coaches should track.