Is it true that handball originated because some people couldn't afford racquets ???

there is probably some truth to that. honestly, l clicked your question because i, too, feel love for the olde english ''D''. thanks for another winning season, Tigers, and go get 'em next year!

l have no idea. Really dont.

l would think it was made in a prison yard.

Hand ball can be played in a smaller area because you cannot hit a ball as far with a hand as you can wih a racquet. It works well in urban areas where space is at a premium and prisons where they would use a racquet as a weopon. l don/t think poverty was the driving force.