Primary Handball Rule Sheet

Teams  Teams 7-a-side, 6 outfielders and 1 goal keeper  Rolling substitutions  Players (other than the goalkeeper) cannot enter the goal area (semi-circle in front of goal).

Court Markings

7m Goal throw area line 6m radius

Defending Can  Can initiate contact to track attacker  Block the ball using hands and arms  Intercept the ball Cannot  Cannot hit a player = free throw (free pass for player, opposing player must be 3m away from pass).  Cannot hold onto a player = free throw  Cannot strike or pulling back attackers throwing arm = free throw  Cannot stop a legitimate scoring opportunity by illegal means ie contact, holding, pulling back etc. = 7m throw  Cannot block or kick the ball using feet = free throw  Cannot pull or hit the ball out of the opponent’s hands  Dangerous play = free throw  Land in possession of the ball after jumping = turnover  Cannot step into the goal area = 7m throw (penalty throw from 7m line)

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Attacking Can  Travel 3 steps with the ball before bouncing - At least one bounce after ever 3 steps  If bouncing the ball travel as far as you want  Bounce, catch the ball with one hand  Jump into the goal area to shoot, must release the ball before landing.  Pass the ball with one or two hands

Cannot  Once dribbling the ball, cannot stop then dribble again (double dribble) = turnover  Bounce or catch the ball with 2 hands during dribbling = turnover  Hold the ball (stationary or without bouncing) for more than 3 seconds = turnover  Enter the goal area with possession (feet land after a jump before releasing the ball) = goalkeeper throw  Charge or run into opponent (incident were attacker deemed to have initiated or caused contact) = turnover  Passive play – keeping possession with no attempt to score = turnover at referee’s discretion.

Goal Keepers  Can make stop the ball with any part of the body when in the goal area  Can use any part of the goal area to defend the goal.  Can leave the goal area to join in with play, but cannot bring the ball out to do so  Cannot take the ball back into the goal area from outside  Allowed up to 4m line when defending 7m throw (penalty)

Start and Restart  Possession decided by a coin toss  Play starts with a centre pass  Restart from centre after a goal scored – possession changes hands  Ball passes over the sideline = sideline throw for whichever team did not touch the ball last.  Ball played over the back line by an attacker = goal keeper throw, GK throws ball out from within goal area  Ball played over the back line by a defender = corner, attacking player places one foot on corner side-line and throws ball in to teammate.