Handball Rules of the Game
Senior 6 · Physical Education
Handball Rules of the Game
Lesson 2 of 4
30 min
Until 30 June 2025, a player whose 7-metre throw hit the goalkeeper's head was disqualified with a red card. Since 1 July 2025 the punishment is a 2-minute suspension, the same as for an unhindered shot in open play that hits the goalkeeper's head first, and only if the goalkeeper was not moving the head towards the ball. The IHF explained that the danger is the same in all these cases, so the punishment should be too. This lesson covers how the game starts and restarts, which contact is legal and which is not, unsportsmanlike conduct, passive play and the ladder of personal punishments.
Definition
Formal throw: any of the five ways of restarting play: throw-off, throw-in, goalkeeper throw, free throw and 7-metre throw.
Clear chance of scoring: a situation in which a player with the ball and full body control has, in the referees' view, an unhindered chance to score; illegally destroying it gives a 7-metre throw.
Passive play: keeping the ball without a recognisable attempt to attack or shoot.
Progressive punishment: punishment that becomes heavier with each offence: warning, 2-minute suspension, disqualification.
| Throw | When | How |
|---|---|---|
| Throw-off | Start of each half and overtime half (after a coin toss); after every goal, by the team that conceded | After the whistle, within 3 seconds, either from the centre line (one foot on the line; opponents 3 m away) or from the 4 m throw-off area. Since 2025 the referee may whistle only when both the ball and the thrower are completely inside the throw-off area; the thrower may move but not bounce the ball or jump, and may not leave the area until the throw is taken |
| Throw-in | The ball crosses a side line; or a court player of the defending team touched it last before it crossed his or her own outer goal line; or it touches the ceiling | No whistle; one foot on the side line; opponents 3 m away (unless standing just outside their goal-area line). From the corner if it crossed the outer goal line |
| Goalkeeper throw | The goalkeeper controls the ball in the goal area; the ball lies in the goal area; an attacker entered the goal area; the ball crosses the outer goal line last touched by the goalkeeper or an attacker | No whistle; from the goal area out over the goal-area line |
| Free throw | After most violations and fouls | From the spot of the infraction, but never inside the opponents' 9-metre line: then from just outside it. Thrower's team-mates stay outside the opponents' free-throw line; opponents 3 m away |
| 7-metre throw | A clear chance of scoring is illegally destroyed; or certain offences in the last 30 seconds | Within 3 seconds of the whistle, as a shot at goal, from behind the 7-metre line (no more than 1 m behind it). All other players (except the defending goalkeeper) outside the 9-metre line, opponents also 3 m from the 7-metre line; goalkeeper behind the 4-metre line until the ball is released |
Handball is a contact sport, within limits. A player may play the ball out of an opponent's hand with an open hand, use bent arms to make body contact and follow an opponent, and use the trunk to block an opponent in a struggle for position. A player may not pull or hit the ball out of an opponent's hands; block with arms, hands or legs, or push an opponent away; use the elbow dangerously; hold an opponent's body or shirt; or run or jump into an opponent.
The referees choose the punishment by four criteria: the position of the fouling player (front, side or behind), the part of the body hit (torso, throwing arm, legs, or head, throat and neck), the dynamics (intensity, opponent at full speed) and the effect (loss of balance or ball control).
| Level | Examples |
|---|---|
| Progressive (warning first) | Fouls aimed mainly at the body; protests; not respecting 3 m at a throw; exaggerating contact; blocking a shot with the lower leg in a way that enlarges the body; repeatedly entering the goal area for tactics |
| Direct 2-minute suspension | Hard fouls on a fast-running opponent; holding or pulling down; fouls against head, throat or neck; grabbing a jumping player's leg; loud protest with forceful gestures; not dropping the ball after a decision against your team; simulation; since 2025, a shot that hits the goalkeeper's head (7-metre throw or unhindered open play) |
| Disqualification | Attacking an opponent in a way dangerous to health (high intensity, or an unprepared or airborne opponent); throwing the ball away demonstratively; a goalkeeper deliberately not trying to stop a 7-metre throw; revenge after being fouled |
| Disqualification and written report | Particularly reckless, dangerous, premeditated or malicious acts; insulting or threatening behaviour; a team official interfering in play |
Last 30 seconds. If in the last 30 seconds a player or official stops the opponents from getting a shot or a clear chance (by delaying their throw when the ball is out of play, or by a disqualifying foul when it is in play), the offender is disqualified and the opponents receive a 7-metre throw.
When the referees see a tendency to passive play, one raises an arm as a forewarning signal. From then on the attacking team may make at most 4 passes: if no shot has been taken when the 5th pass is received, the referees award a free throw to the opponents from where the ball was.
Worked example
Worked example 1: climbing the ladder. In the first half, Team B has received warnings for B4 and B9.
Worked example
Worked example 2: counting passes after the forewarning. The referee raises the forewarning arm. Team A passes: CB to LB (1), LB to LW (2), LW to LB (3), LB to CB (4). CB passes to RB, who catches it (5th pass received) and has not shot.
Video: "IHF Rule Interpretation: the thrower throws the ball at a defender inside the throw-off area", IHF Education Centre. Decide before the explanation: what is the correct restart and is there a punishment?
Warning
Safety and first aid (ERC Guidelines 2025)
Practice
Remember
Sources and credits
