Giving the kids a hand

COEUR d'ALENE — Parents laughed and a few clapped when Ryan Neujahr, 8, of Post Falls accidentally smacked a ball right at former NFL quarterback Jake Plummer, who was off to the side taking pictures.

Plummer also laughed, knowing that these things sometimes happen when youngsters learn to play handball.

“This is his first time,” Ryan's mom, Denise, said with a smile.

Ryan was one of seven youths who participated in the kids clinic Saturday during the Plummer Family Helluva Handball Bash on the indoor courts of Peak Health and Wellness Center in Coeur d'Alene. The kids put on gloves and protective eyewear and learned a few tricks from World Handball Players such as Plummer, WPH youth donor and development director David Fink and Irish WPH star Stephen Cooney.

After the clinic, Ryan said it's “a little hard” to learn the sport.

“I liked the relay race,” he said shyly.

Denise said they were invited to the free youth clinic by some friends who know Plummer.

She said she had heard of handball but wasn't quite sure what it was before Saturday.

“I think it's a really good way to make friends and it's a fun sport to do. It's indoors so we can do it any time,” she said. “We really appreciate professionals taking time out of their schedules to teach the kids, and they did a great job.”

Brandon Freeman, 12, of Coeur d'Alene, attended the clinic last year. He said that it is a hard sport, but it's fun at the same time.

“It's really not that much contact, like football, and you can play it for a long time,” he said.

Brandon said he'd like to continue to play handball as he gets older.

“It's not like other sports,” he said.

Handball is an indoor sport that utilizes a small ball, much like racquetball but without the racquet. Players can only use a very small point of contact — their hands — to score against other players.

Plummer was enthusiastic as he gave the kids pointers. He helped them with form, gave them tips on how to make contact with the ball and explained strategies for a good game.

“They’re going to get some really solid instruction on how to generate more power or hit the ball a little more consistently,” Plummer said before the clinic started. “My son's 5, he wants to get in there and he just wants to hit it, just make his hand hit the ball. He'll be out there with the big boys having fun.”

Plummer, who is one of the organizers of the annual handball bash, said teaching children how to play handball is the only way the sport will survive. He is hoping to increase handball awareness locally so more people, especially youths, will be able to enjoy this unique sport. He said handball is all about teaching the next generation.

    “I got taught how to play by my dad, along with my brothers. Someone taught him, and so he taught us,” he said. “It’s benefitted me throughout my whole career. Not only in sports, but in my life, too. Life gets better when you play handball. You’re a happier person.”