Fistball was originated in Estonia (a former state of Soviet Union) in 1989. Estonia was in crisis and the university students had a lot of free time as ordinary studies were impossible from time to time. A group of students developed a demanding ball game, and an abandoned coal store became the venue of a game played with tennis ball. Kicks were allowed for making the back court game easier. The rest of the rules were copied from squash and the sport became close to its current version.

Nowadays the game is played in the squash court by two persons. The ordinary pressurized tennis ball for all surfaces is used. The ball can be struck with the feet, fists or head. After a kick and when receiving a serve the player has two bounces instead of the usual one bounce.

The name "fistball" implies that the open palmside must not be used when hitting the ball. This is a remnant from the early times when gloves protected only the back of the hand.

The first contact with "real" handball was made in 1993. Then the striking similarity of fistball and handball was discovered. Fistball continues its evolution as an independent ball game because the court used (size, proportions, lines, ceiling) is very different from the handball court.

Fistball is promoted in Finland by HAF (Handball Association of Finland). ....