Handball Rules of the Game
Senior 6 · Physical Education
Handball Rules of the Game
Lesson 4 of 4
25 min
Football has one referee in charge; handball has two, with equal authority, who usually work together as a fixed pair and are appointed to games as a pair. Rule 17 of the IHF Rules of the Game (2025) gives them the game; Rule 18 gives the clock and the score sheet to a timekeeper and a scorekeeper at the table. This lesson sets out who does what, how the pair positions itself and swaps roles, what happens when the two referees disagree, and the hand signals they use.
Definition
Court referee (CR): the referee in the playing area behind the attacking team.
Goal-line referee (GLR): the referee near the outer goal line beside the goal being attacked, who judges goals and the goal area.
Timekeeper: the table official mainly responsible for the playing time, time-outs and suspension times.
Scorekeeper: the table official mainly responsible for the team lists and the score sheet.
Delegate: an official of the federation who may sit at the table, supervise the game and interrupt it if necessary.
| Official | Duties (IHF Rules 17 and 18) |
|---|---|
| Both referees, before the game | Inspect the court, goals and balls and choose the balls; check uniforms, the score sheet and players' equipment; check the number of players and officials in the substitution area and identify each team's responsible official; one referee carries out the coin toss in front of the other and the teams' representatives |
| Both referees, during the game | Supervise players and officials from the moment they enter the premises until they leave; penalise infractions (allowing advantage); keep the score and note warnings, suspensions and disqualifications; control the playing time; may use video replay where the competition allows it |
| Both referees, after the game | Make sure the score sheet is correct; report disqualifications that need a written report |
| Timekeeper | Runs the playing time, time-outs and 2-minute suspensions; gives the final signal if there is no automatic clock; shows a card with each suspended player's number and return time if the scoreboard cannot; normally the only table official who interrupts the game, by whistle |
| Scorekeeper | Team lists and score sheet; enters players who arrive late; notes players who are not entitled to play |
| Both table officials | Control the number of players and officials in the substitution area and the exits and entries of substitutes; count the team's attacks before a treated player may return |
When the referees disagree. If both whistle and agree which team is penalised but not on the punishment, the more severe punishment applies unless they reach a joint decision. If they disagree about which team gets the ball, the opinion of the court referee prevails unless they agree after consulting. Such a consultation always means a time-out. Decisions based on the referees' observation of facts or their judgement are final.
The pair keeps the players between them: the court referee behind the attack, the goal-line referee beside the goal. When possession changes, they change roles: the court referee runs ahead to become the goal-line referee at the other end, and the former goal-line referee follows the new attack as court referee. Each watches different things: the goal-line referee judges goals, the goal area, 7-metre situations and play on the wings near the line; the court referee judges the back-court players, steps, passive play and fouls in the middle of the court.
The IHF rulebook shows 17 official hand signals. After a free throw or throw-in is called, the referee first shows the direction of the throw, then any personal punishment, and only then, if useful, the reason. The signals for a goal, a time-out and permission for helpers to enter are compulsory when they apply.
| Decision | Signal |
|---|---|
| Goal | Two short whistle blasts; one arm raised straight up |
| Time-out | Three short whistle blasts; the hands form a T above the head |
| Free throw or throw-in: direction | Arm (or arms) pointing in the direction of the throw |
| Goalkeeper throw | Arm extended sideways, pointing down towards the goal area |
| Keep the distance of 3 m | Both arms forward, palms facing out |
| Hitting | One hand strikes the forearm of the other |
| Warning, disqualification, written report | Yellow, red or (after the red) blue card held up |
| 2-minute suspension | One arm raised with two fingers extended |
| Forewarning for passive play | One arm raised, hand open, held up while the forewarning lasts |
Worked example
Worked example 1: two whistles at once. A back is held by B5 as he jumps to shoot. Both referees whistle.
Worked example
Worked example 2: the timekeeper and a suspension. The game clock counts up from 0:00 to 30:00 in the first half. The referees suspend B7 at 23:40, and play restarts with a whistle at 23:52.
Video: "Wrong referee position affects decision", IHF Education Centre (IHF referee preparation course). Notice where the referee should have been standing to see the action clearly.
Tip
Running a school match. Train two pupils as a referee pair and two as timekeeper and scorekeeper. The table needs a stopwatch, a whistle, a score sheet, three suspension cards per team and a pen. Before the start, the referees inspect the goals (firmly fixed), the floor and the balls, and check that nobody wears jewellery.
Warning
Common mistakes. Handball has no "head referee": the two have equal authority. The timekeeper's whistle stops the game at once, and a goal scored after it does not count. A 2-minute suspension starts when play restarts, not when it is given. Only the responsible team official may speak to the table or the referees.
Practice
Remember
Further reading
Sources and credits
This lesson adapts CC BY-SA material and is shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.
