Handball Rules and Regulations

The number 3, is what rules the roost in this ball game. For those who know, I need not say, but for those who have not guessed what am I describing, it is Handball. Handball is a team sport, where two teams have seven players each. The aim and the winning of the game can be achieved by passing and bouncing a ball by the members of the team in the goal of the opponent's team. The team which leads the goal score after 2 sessions of 30 minutes, is the winning team. It is also called Olympic Handball or Team Handball. Quite a few of us must have seen the game on the TV, but not many us are aware of handball rules and regulations. Thus, the following is a description of team handball rules, so get ready for a ride in the realms of handball!

Basic Handball Rules

The Court: As per the rules laid down by the International Handball Federation (IHF), the dimensions of the playing court should be 40 meter by 20 meter. That means that is a 40 meter long 20 meter wide rectangle. It has two goal areas and a single playing area. There is a compulsory safety zone on the periphery of the playing court, having a width of at least 1 meter along the sidelines and around 2 meters behind the goal lines. Longer boundary lines are the sidelines and lines between the goal posts are called the goal lines. Each goal in the playing area is marked by a 6 meter goal area, joined by a tangent at the center. The goals need to have net, attached in a way that it does not let the ball move out. The goal posts and crossbar need to have 8 cm square cross section. The rules of handball also permit a difference in the color of lines between two adjacent areas of the floor. Outside the goal line, there is another arc, 9 meters from the posts. This is called the free throw line and is normally dashed. For restart, there is the halfway line with a center dot. Thanks to Olympics, some of us know the nitty gritties of handball.
For more on handball in Olympics, read list of Olympic sports.

The Players: On the whole, there are 7 players on the field and 7 players are substitutes. So from one team there cannot be more than 14 players. On the field, there are six players and 1 goal keeper from a team. At the start of the play, according to the handball rules and regulations laid down by the IHF, a minimum of 5 players should be on the field. A game might continue without 5 players as well, but that is totally the referee's prerogative. A maximum of 4 officials are allowed per team, be it the Team Handball rules or European Handball rules. Another interesting rule laid down is that at any point of time whilst the game is in progress, a court player can be designated as the goal keeper and vice versa. But those involved in substitution have to leave and enter the court over the substitution line of their respective team.

The Ball: The ball is made of leather or a synthetic material and the surface must not be either shiny or slippery. The circumference and weight according to the categories of teams playing are:

1. For men above 16 years, it is 58 to 60 cm and the weight is 425-475 grams. This is the IHF size 3.
2. For women above 14, and male youth in the age of 12 to 16, the circumference of the ball is 54-56 cm and the weight is between 325 and 375 grams.
3. For boys and girls in the age group between 8 and 14 (girls 8-14 and boys 8-12), the circumference of the ball is 50 to 52 cm and the weight is between 290 to 330 grams.

There are atleast 2 balls available and the reserve must be readily available, as laid down in the team handball rules by the IHF.

Ball Playing: There are three basic ball playing rules involving the number 3.

• Three seconds you hold the ball and then pass.
• Only three steps when the ball is in your hand.
• When awarded a free throw, a player needs to be at a distance of 3 meters from another player.

Then, in addition to this, according to team handball rules, it is permitted for a player to catch, stop, throw, hit or push the ball with the help of hands, thighs, knees, torso and head. A player can also move the ball from one hand to another. In case the ball touches the referee on the court, the game continues. However, a player cannot be in contact with the ball with his or her foot or any part of the leg below the knee. Just like in soccer, if the ball goes out over the side, the opposite side retrieves it and gets it.

Goal Scoring: A goal is said to be scored when the ball crosses the back goal line completely within the goal. In the goal area, the goalkeeper reigns supreme. Even if there is a violation of rules by the defender and still the ball goes in the goal. If a player scores in his team's goal, the other side gets the point. A goal declared by the referee cannot be taken back or disallowed in the course of the game and the entry of the goal is mandatory as said in the handball rules and regulations by the IHF.

Foul Play: Pulling or hitting the ball out of the opponent's hand, blocking and forcing the opponent using legs, hands or arms and threatening or endangering a player with or sans the ball are the top three fouls and these things are not permitted. If a player is fouled, while he or she is taking a certain shot at the goal, the player gets a 7 meter free shot.

Penalty or Punishment: For a foul play, normally the referee gives a yellow card or if the foul or contact is too serious, the referee can give the player an instant 2-minute suspension. If a player gets more than 2 such suspensions, he or she gets a red card, as per the team handball rules. A red card results in disqualification and the player has to go off the court. A referee or another player's assault can lead to expulsion of the player. This means that the player cannot play for the rest of the game. Any objection or gestures or argument with the referee can lead to 2-min suspension.

These were the different aspects involved in team handball rules. When it comes to Street Handball, I doubt bout street handball rules. Nevertheless, that was all there was to team Handball. I hope now you know what it is all about. If you have I would say, you have scored there!

So are you game for Handball? Go for it!