TEAM HANDBALL

Simplified Rules of the Game

Object of the Game

Handball combines the elements of soccer and basketball, as six players move the ball down a floor that is larger than a basketball court and tries to score by throwing the ball past a goalkeeper into the net. A successful scoring attempt results in the award of a single point. Typical final scores in this action-packed game run in the mid twenties.

A regulation game is played in 30 minute halves with one team timeout per half. A coin toss determines which team starts the game with a throw-off. The clock stops only for team timeouts, injuries, and at the referee's discretion.

Field of Play

The court is slightly larger than a basketball court. Regulation size is 20x40 meters (65'7" x 131' 3"). All court lines are referred to by their measurement in meters.

The most significant line on the court is the 6-meter line or goal area line. Only the goalie is allowed inside the goal area. Players may jump into the goal area if they release the ball before landing in the area. The 9-meter line, or free throw line, is used for minor penalties, while the 7-meter line, or penalty line, is used for penalty shots, much like penalty kicks in soccer.

A versatile game, team handball can be played indoors in the gym, outdoors on the grass, on a paved area or on the beach.

The Goal

An official size goal measures 2 meters high (6'7") and three meters wide (9'10"). The net is one meter deep at the base of the goal.

The Ball

A handball is made of leather and is about the size of a large cantaloupe. It varies in size and weight according to the group playing. The ball for men weighs 15-17 oz. and is 23-24" in circumference. Women and juniors use a smaller ball weighing 12-14 oz. and 21-22" in circumference. Youth use smaller varieties of balls for mini-handball.

Teams

A game is played between two teams. Seven players on each team are allowed on the court at the same time (6 court players and 1 goalie). Unlimited substitution is allowed. Substitutes may enter the game at any time through their own substitution area as long as the players they are replacing have left the court.

Playing the ball

Players are allowed to:

Dribble the ball for an unlimited amount of time

Run with the ball for up to three steps before and after dribbles

Hold the ball without moving for three seconds

Players are not allowed to:

Endanger an opponent with the ball

Pull, hit, or punch the ball out of the hands of an opponent

Contact the ball below the knees

Penalties

Free-Throw : for a minor foul or violation, a free throw is awarded to the opponents at the exact spot it took place. If the foul occurs between the goal area line and the 9 meter line, the throw is taken from the nearest point outside the 9-meter line. All players on the team taking a free-throw must be outside the 9-meter line. Opponents must be 3 meters away from the ball when the throw is taken.

7-Meter Penalty Shot : is awarded when

A foul destroys a clear chance to score a goal

The goalie carries the ball back into the goalie area

A court player intentionally plays the ball to his or her own goalie in the goal area and the goalie touches the ball

All players must be outside the free-throw line when the throw is taken. The player taking the throw has 3 seconds to shoot after the referee whistles. Any player may take the 7-meter throw.

Progressive Punishments : These are fouls that require more punishment than just a free-throw. "Actions" directed mainly at the opponent and not the ball are punished progressively (actions consist of reaching around, holding, pushing, hitting, tripping, or jumping into opponent).

Warnings (yellow card) - referee gives only one warning to a player for rule violations and a total of 3 to a team. Exceeding limits results in a 2-minute suspension.

2-minute suspension - Awarded for serious or repeated rule violations, unsportsmanlike conduct and illegal substitution.

Disqualification (red card) - awarded after three 2-minute suspensions have been issued; the disqualified player must leave both the court and bench but the team may replace the player after the 2-minute suspension expires.

Exclusion is awarded for assault; the excluded player's team continues short one player for the rest of the game.