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Simplified Rules of the
Game
1. 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 try 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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 knee
6. 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.
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