Handball is an exciting and fast-paced sport played between two teams, each consisting of seven players. The game is structured with specific rules and regulations to ensure fair play and maintain the competitive spirit.
Team Composition
- Each team comprises six outfield players and one goalkeeper.
- In addition to the on-court players, each team is allowed seven substitutes.
Playing Field
- The game is played indoors on a court measuring 40 meters long and 20 meters wide.
- Each end of the court features a goal that is 3 meters wide and 2 meters high.
- The area surrounding each goal includes:
- A semicircle line (the zone or crease) 6 meters from the goal, where only the goalkeeper is permitted.
- A dashed semicircle line 9 meters from the goal, which designates the free-throw line.
- A half-court line divides the playing area into two halves.
Scoring
- A goal is scored when a player successfully throws the ball into the opposing team’s goal.
- The team with the most goals at the end of two 30-minute periods wins the match.
Player Actions
- Field players may use all parts of their body above the knee to touch the ball.
- A player holding the ball may remain stationary for a maximum of three seconds and can take up to three steps while holding it.
- After this, they must either dribble, pass, or shoot the ball.
- Violating the three-step rule results in a traveling violation, with possession awarded to the opposing team.
- Players can dribble the ball indefinitely as long as they maintain contact with the top of the ball.
- After dribbling, players are allowed another three seconds or three steps.
- Double dribbling (dribbling again after stopping) results in a turnover.
- Offensive infractions include illegal screens, charging, and entering the crease with the ball.
Game Start and Restart
- The game commences with a throw-off from the center of the court, where the thrower must have one foot on the middle line, and all other players must remain in their team’s half.
- Throw-offs occur at the beginning of each period and after a goal is scored by the opposing team.
- When the ball goes out of play, a throw-in is awarded to the team that did not touch the ball last.
- A free throw is awarded for rule violations, similar to a free kick in soccer. The throw takes place at the spot of the infraction, except when the infraction occurs within the nine-meter line, in which case the throw is moved to the nearest point outside the free-throw line.
Fouls and Penalties
- Players must avoid illegal actions, such as:
- Reaching around or holding opponents.
- Pushing, hitting, tripping, or jumping into an opponent.
- Making contact from the side or behind.
- Such actions result in penalties, and the offended team is awarded a free throw.