Playing Area
The handball court measures 40 meters in length and 20 meters in width which is divided by the centre line. The goal area line, or 6-meter line, is the most important line. No one except the goalkeeper is allowed to stand in the goal area. Opponent players may not jump or enter into the goal area without releasing the ball for goal.
Number of Players
A team consists of 16 players and substitutes in each team. There are seven playing members on each team (six court players and one goalkeeper). Substitute team member may enter the game at any time repeatedly through the team’s own substitution area as long as the player they are replacing has left the court. Player positions and nomenclature are given in the diagram.
Players’ attacking and defensive positions in handball court
Uniform of the Players
Player chest numbers range from 1 to 99. Uniform shirts and shorts are of the same colour. The goalkeeper must wear a different coloured shirt from the teammates and opponents. No jewellery is allowed.
Referees
There are two referees, a court referee and a goal line referee. Referees have complete authority and their decisions are final. The referees are assisted by a timekeeper and a scorer.
Duration of the Game
The duration of the match for different age groups is allotted as mentioned in the following table:
Duration of the game
| Age Group |
Playing time with 10 minutes of interval |
| 8–12 years |
Two halves of 20 minutes |
| 12–16 years |
Two halves of 25 minutes |
| 16 and above |
Two halves of 30 minutes |
This is running time except for injury or one team timeout. The teams have to change bench/side after half-time. Overtime consists of two halves of 5 minute/period with 1 minute half-time break. If the game is still tied, the winner will be determined in accordance with the rules of the particular competition.
Team Time-out
One minute time-out can be taken by each team in every half.
Throw-off
A throw-off is given to the team that wins the toss. Both the teams must be in their own side of the court with the defense 3 meters away from the ball. On a whistle, the ball is passed from centre court to a teammate and the play begins. Throwoff is repeated after every goal scored and after half-time.
Throw-in
When the ball goes out of bounds on the sideline or when the ball is last touched by a defensive player (not goalkeeper), a throw-in is awarded and goes out of bounds over the endline. The throw-in is taken from the nearest spot where the ball crossed out. The thrower must put either foot on the sideline to perform the throw-in. All opponents must stand 3 meters away from the ball.
Scoring
A goal is scored when the entire ball crosses the goal line inside the goal. A goal may be scored from any type of throw, i.e., free-throw, throw-in, throw-off, and goal-throw.
Playing the Ball
A player is permitted to throw, push, stop, catch, or hit the ball, by using hands (open or closed), head, arms, torso, thighs, and knees.
(a) A player is allowed:
(i) to run with the ball for 3 steps.
(ii) to hold the ball for 3 seconds.
(iii) unlimited dribble with 3 steps allowed before and after dribbling (no double-dribble).
(iv) to take a maximum of 3 steps with the ball.
Defending the Opponent
A player may use the torso of the body to defend an opponent with or without the ball. However, using the outstretched arms or legs to obstruct, push, hold, trip or hit is not allowed. The attacking player is not allowed to charge into a defensive player.
Passive Play
A ball possession team cannot delay the game without making a recognisable attempt to attack and to shoot or goal. Referee Throw: A referee throw is awarded simultaneous infringement of the rules after simultaneous possession of the ball. The referee throws the ball vertically between two opposing players at centre court. The jumping players may tap the ball to a teammate or grab the ball. During this, other players must be 3 meters away from the ball.
Free-throw
Free-throw is awarded to the opponent against a minor foul or violation at the exact spot of the foul. If the foul or violation occurs between the goal area line and the 9 meter line, the throw is taken from the nearest post outside the 9 meter line. The thrower must keep one foot in contact with the floor.
7 Meter Throw
The 7 meter throw is awarded when:
- Illegally demolish a clear chance to goal
- The goalkeeper carries the ball back into his/her team’s own goal area
- A court player intentionally plays the ball to his or her own goalkeeper in the goal area and the goalkeeper touches the ball
- A defensive player enters his or her 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 throw has 3 seconds to shoot after referee’s whistle.
- Any player may take the 7 meter throw.
Goal-throw
When the ball rebounds off the goalkeeper over the end line, a goal-throw is given. The player of the attacking team throws over the ball from the end line. The goalkeeper takes the throw inside the goal area and is not limited by the 3-step/3-second rule.
Progressive Punishments: These pertain to the fouls that require more punishment than just a free-throw. ‘Actions’ directed mainly at the opponent and not the ball (such as reaching around, holding, pushing, hitting, tripping and jumping into an opponent) are to be punished progressively.
Warnings (Yellow Card)
The referee gives only one warning to a player for rule violations and a total of three warnings to a team. Exceeding these limits results in 2 minute suspension thereafter. Warning is not required prior to giving 2 minute suspension. 2 minute suspension is awarded to a player for serious or repeated rule violations, like non-sportsmanship conduct, illegal substitution, etc.
Disqualification and Exclusion (Red Card)
A disqualification is equivalent to three 2 minute suspensions. A disqualified player must leave the competition arena. The team has to continue play for rest of the time with one player short due to player’s disqualification.
