Team Handball – Tournament Rules

I. The Playing Court:

A. The playing court begins at the end line paint and goes to the opposite end of the court. The goal-line is at the end of the actual court, not the paint. On either side of the court, width wise, the paint is in. If a player steps beyond the paint on either side they are out of bounds. The 3-point line is the goal area.

II. Number of Players:

A. There are seven players on each team (six court players and one goalie). A maximum of 12 players may dress and participate in a game for each team. Substitutes may enter the game at any time through own substitution area as long as the player they are replacing has left the court.

B. There must always be a minimum of 2 women or 2 men on the court respectively.

III. Referees:

A. There is one referee. The referees are assisted by a timer/scorer.

IV. Duration of the Game:

A. The game consists of 2, 20- minute halves. This is running time except for injury or one team time-out per half.

B. Teams switch sides at half.

C. Overtime consists of 2, 5-minute periods. In regular tournament play after overtime if the score remains a tie then it will be recorded as a tie. In post seasons play there will be a penalty shot-foul consisting of five throws per team.

D. Game begins with a jump ball. After point scored the goal keeper of the team scored on puts the ball back in play from the goal area.

E. At halftime there is a second jump ball.

V. The Goal Keeper A. They may use any part of their body in defense of the goal.

B. They may move unrestricted and do not need to dribble when holding the ball. However, they may not delay the game by holding the ball too long.

C. They may leave the goal area, but they are then bound by the same restrictions as the other players. However, they may not leave or return to the goal area with the ball under control, and they must be out of the goal area in order to touch the ball if it is outside the goal area.

D. They may not use their feet to stop the ball moving to the play area.

VI. The Goal Area

A. Only the goal keeper is allowed inside the goal area.

B. Any body part touching the line is counted as in the goal area.

C. If a defender enters the goal area and interferes with a shot then the other team receives a free throw. However, if a defender jumps from outside the goal area to block a shot, it is considered fair play until he lands. If the shot is not taken by the time he lands, and he interferes with the shot, it is a free throw for the other team.

D. If an opposing player enters the goal area while in possession of the ball then goal keeper is given the ball.

E. Only the goal keeper may possess the ball inside the goal area.

VII. Game Play

A. Player may touch and strike the ball with any part of their body from the knee and up (it may hit below the knee if the ball is thrown at the player).

B. They may hold the ball for a maximum of 5 seconds and take 3 steps (a jump counts as a step).

C. There is no limit to steps if the player dribbles the ball with one hand, or rolls the ball on the ground with one hand. However, if the player bounces the ball and then catches it, they may not dribble gain.

D. Once the player stops dribbling they have 3 steps or 3 seconds to release the ball.

E. A player may not be in contact with the ball and touch the out of bounds or other team is awarded a throw-in.

F. A player may not pull or hit a ball out of another players hands. VIII. Passive Play:

A. It is illegal to keep the ball in a team's possession without making a recognizable attempt to attack and to try to score. In other words, a team cannot stall (free-throw awarded to the other team). A warning is first issued by the Referee.

IX. Scoring:

B. A goal is scored when the entire ball crosses the goal line inside the goal. A goal may be scored from any throw so long as the thrower is outside of the goal area (free-throw, throw-in, throw-off, goal-throw).

C. Players may jump into the area if the ball is released before landing.

X. Defending the Opponent:

A. A player is allowed to use the torso of the body to obstruct 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.

XI. Throw-In:

A. A throw-in is awarded when ball goes out of bounds on the sideline or when the ball is last touched by a defensive player (excluding the goalie) and goes out of bounds over the end line. The throw-in is taken from the spot where the ball crossed the sideline, or if it crossed the end line, from the nearest corner. The thrower must place one foot on the sideline to execute the throw. All opposing players must stay 3 meters away from the ball.

XII. Free-Throw:

A. For a minor foul or violation, a free-throw is awarded to the opponent at the exact spot it took place.

XIII. 7-Meter Throw:

A. The 7-meter throw is awarded when . . . 1) A foul destroys a clear chance to score.

2) The goalie carries the ball back into his or her own goal area.

3) 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.