HANDBALL OR HANDBALL RULES - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

Knowing the rules of handball or handball is important to play this sport well and for rival teams to respect each other. Although throughout history there have been hundreds of similar games, the standardization of handball rules came in 1926.

In this article we will explain the regulations of this sport so practiced in Latin America, Spain and throughout the world. As a curiosity, the countries where handball or handball is most played are -in increasing order- Russia, Poland, Brazil, Japan and the United States.

Handball rules

The playing field

The field should measure 20 meters by 40 meters.

The goal area line, or 6-meter line, is the most important line. No one except the goalkeeper has permission to be in the goal area. The goal opening is 2 meters by 3 meters. Players may enter the area if the ball is thrown before landing in the area.

The ball

Handball is played with a 32-panel leather ball. For women, the ball is 54 to 56 centimeters and 325 to 400 grams. For men, it is 58 to 60 centimeters and 425 to 475 grams.

Number of players

There are seven players on each team (six court players and one goalkeeper). A maximum of 12 players can dress up and participate in one game for each team.

Substitutes may enter the game at any time through the substitution zone, as long as the player they are replacing has left the court.

Players uniform

Player numbers are 1 through 20. Uniform shirts and shorts are the same color.

The goalkeeper must wear a shirt of a different color than the shirts of his teammates and opponents. Jewelry is not allowed.

Referees

There are two umpires, a field umpire and a goal line umpire. The referees have full authority: Their decisions are final. The referees are assisted by a timer and a scorer.

Game duration

For players 18 years and older, the game consists of 2 30-minute halves with a 10-minute intermission.

For tournaments and youth games 2 halves of 15 minutes or 2 halves of 20 minutes. Teams change benches at half time.

If there are no goals, the game ends in a draw unless the game calls for a winner. Tournament rules dictate that a winner must be determined. The overtime consists of 2 periods of 5 minutes.

Passive play

It is illegal to keep the ball in a team's possession without making a recognizable attempt to attack and try to score.

Launching

The team that wins the coin toss begins the game in possession of the ball. Each team must be in its own half of the court with the defense within 3 meters of the ball.

After the whistle, the ball is passed from center court to a teammate and the game begins. The throw is repeated after each goal scored and after half the time.

Punctuation

A goal is scored when the entire ball crosses the goal line into the goal. A goal can be scored from any shot.

Play the ball

A player is not allowed to:

• Endangering an opponent with the ball
• Hitting or pulling the opponent or hitting the ball out of the opponent's hands
• Contact the ball below the knee
• Crawling on the ground to catch a rolling or stationary ball

Defending against the opponent

A player is allowed to use the torso of the body to obstruct an opponent with or without the ball.

However, the use of outstretched arms or legs to obstruct, push, hold, shoot or strike is not permitted. The attacking player cannot charge into a defensive player.

Door shot

A throw-in is awarded when the ball goes out of bounds on the sideline or when the ball is touched by a defensive player (excluding the goalkeeper) and goes out of bounds.

The throw is taken from the point where the ball crossed the side line, or if it crossed the end line, from the nearest corner. The pitcher must place one foot on the sideline to execute the shot. All opposing players must remain 3 meters from the ball.

Referee throw

A referee throw is awarded when the ball touches anything above the court after a simultaneous infringement of the rules, following simultaneous possession of the ball.

The referee throws the ball vertically between two opposing players. Players who are going to jump can either catch the ball or tap it at a teammate.

All other players must be within 3 meters of the throw. The referee's play is always taken on the center court.

Free throw

When there is a minor foul or violation, a free throw is awarded to the opponent at the exact place where it took place.

If the foul or violation occurs between the goal-area line and the 9-meter line, the shot is taken from the nearest post outside the 9-meter line. The pitcher must keep one foot in contact with the ground, then pass or pitch.

7 meter throw

The 7-meter throw is awarded when:

• A foul destroys a clear chance to score
• The goalkeeper carries the ball back to his own goal area
• A defensive player enters his goal area to gain an advantage over an attacking player in possession of the ball.

All players must be outside the free throw line when the throw is taken. The player taking the shot has 3 seconds to shoot after the referee's whistle. Any player can execute the 7-meter throw.

Goal kick

A goal shot is awarded when:

-The ball bounces off the goalkeeper at the goal line

- The ball is thrown over the baseline by the attacking team.

• The goalkeeper takes the shot inside the goal area and is not restricted by the 3 step / 3 second rule.

Progressive penalties:

Penalties pertain to fouls that require more punishment than a simple free throw. "Actions" directed primarily at the opponent and not at the ball (such as reaching, holding, pushing, hitting, tripping, and jumping on an opponent) should be punished gradually.

Warnings

Yellow card:

The referee gives a single warning to a player for rule infractions and a total of three to a team.

Exceeding these limits results in 2 minute suspensions. No warnings are required before giving a 2 minute suspension. 2 minute suspensions are awarded for serious or repeated rule violations.

Unsportsmanlike conduct or illegal substitution:

The suspended player's team plays for 2 minutes.

Disqualification and exclusion

Red card:

One disqualification equals three, 2 minute suspensions. A disqualified player must leave the court and the bench, but the team may replace the player after the 2-minute suspension expires.

There is an assault exclusion. The excluded player's team continues with one player for the remainder of the game.

References

1. USA DHT. (2013). Team Handball Basic Rules. 2-23-2017, Recovered from tripod.com.
2. The Team Handball. (2015). Basic Rules of Team Handball. 2-23-2017, Recovered from sportsknowhow.com.
3. RulesOf Sport. (2016). Handball Rules. 2-23-2017, Recovered from RulesOfSport.com.
4. NBC Olympics. (2016). Handball 101: Rules. 2-23-2017, from nbcolympics.com Website: RulesOf Sport. (2016). Handball Rules. 2-23-2017, Recovered from RulesOfSport.com.