Summary of the Sport:
Rule: |
Description: |
Number of Players |
5 players on the court at one time. |
Object of the Game |
The object of the game is to score more points than the opposing team to win the game by throwing the ball into the goal. |
Time Limit |
Two 25-Minute halves with a 15-minute halftime. |
The Ball |
The ball is 23–24" (58-60cm) in circumference, and weighs 15.0–16.8oz (425–475g). |
Number of Referees |
2 referees |
Advancing the Ball |
After receiving the ball, players can pass, keep possession, or shoot the ball. If possessing the ball, players must dribble (similar to a basketball dribble), or can take up to 3 steps for up to three seconds at a time without dribbling. No attacking or defending players other than the defending goalkeeper are allowed to touch the floor of the goal area Goalkeepers are allowed outside the goal area, but are not allowed to cross the goal area boundary with the ball in their hands. |
Scoring Methods |
Inside the Arc (1) Outside the Arc (2) |
Contact? |
No contact is allowed. |
American Handball Court Dimensions:
- Overall Dimensions = 84' x 50' (HS) or 94' x 50' (College & Pro).
- Goal = 9'10" x 6'7".
- Goal Zone (red) = 18'10" x 12' (HS & College) or 19' x 16' (Pro).
- Penalty Zone (orange) = 6' Radius.
- Arc Zone (yellow) = Inside the 2-Point Arc.
- 2-Point Arc = 19'9" (HS), 20'9" (College), or 23'9" (Pro) outside radius.
- Center Circle (blue) = 6' diameter.
- A match consists of two halves of 16 minutes (HS & Amateur), 20 minutes (College), or 25 minutes (Pro) with a 10-minute (HS) or 15-minute (College & Pro) halftime.
- Teams of consist of 5 players (1 Goalkeeper and 4 Field Players); Each team is allowed to have a max of 7 substitutes, with at least 1 of the substitutes being a goalkeeper.
- Ball = 58–60cm in diameter & weighs 425–475g.
- Each team gets 3 1-minute timeouts per half.
- Similar to rugby, both teams must wear their dark color uniforms during games unless either 1) the teams share similar colors or 2) if someone is colorblind; If that is the case, the designated home team will wear their dark color uniforms and the away team will wear either 1) their lighter color uniforms or 2) an alternative darker color uniform.
- A throw-off is taken by the team that wins the coin toss and chooses to start the game with the ball.
- Each team must be in its own half of the court with the defense 3 meters away from the ball.
- Following a whistle, the ball is passed from center court to a teammate and play begins.
- Throw-off is repeated after every goal scored and after half-time.
- 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 endline.
- The throw-in is taken from the spot where the ball crossed the sideline, or if it crossed the endline, 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.
- A referee throw is awarded when the ball touches anything above the court after a simultaneous infringement of the rules after simultaneous possession of the ball.
- The Referee throws the ball vertically between two opposing players.
- The jumping players may grab the ball or tap it to a teammate.
- All other players must be 3 meters away from the throw.
- The referee throw is always taken at center court.
- For a minor foul or violation, a free-throw is awarded to the opponent at the exact spot it took place.
- If the foul or violation occurs between the goal area line and the 2-point arc, the throw is taken from the nearest post outside the 2-point arc.
- The thrower must keep one foot in contact with the floor, then pass or shoot.
- The penalty 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 field player intentionally plays the ball to his or her own goalie in the goal area and the goalie touches the ball, 4) a defensive player enters his or her goal area to gain an advantage over an attacking player in possession of the ball, 5) 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 penalty throw.
- Field players are allowed to touch the ball with any part of their bodies above and including the knee.
- A player who is in possession of the ball may stand stationary for only three seconds, and may take only three steps; They must then either shoot, pass, or dribble the ball.
- No attacking or defending players other than the defending goalkeeper are allowed to touch the floor of the goal area.
- A player may dribble as many times as they want (though, since passing is faster, it is the preferred method of attack), as long as during each dribble the hand contacts only the top of the ball.
- A shot or pass in the goal area is valid if completed before touching the floor. Goalkeepers are allowed outside the goal area, but are not allowed to cross the goal area boundary with the ball in their hands.
- The ball may not be passed back to the goalkeeper when they are positioned in the goal area.
- Only the goalkeepers are allowed to move freely within the goal perimeter, although they may not cross the goal perimeter line while carrying or dribbling the ball; Within the zone, they are allowed to touch the ball with all parts of their bodies including their feet.
- The goalkeepers may participate in the normal play of their teammates. They may be substituted by a regular field player if their team elects to use this scheme in order to outnumber the defending players. This field player becomes the designated goalkeeper on the court; and must wear some vest or bib to be identified as such.
- Each team has a max of 35 seconds to attempt to score; 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 goal is scored when the entire ball crosses the goal line inside the goal.
- A goal may be scored from any throw (free-throw, throw-in, throw-off, goal-throw).
- Inside the arc =1 point; outside of the arc = 2 points.
- 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.
- All players are NOT allowed to do any of the following: 1) endanger an opponent with the ball, 2) pull, hit or punch the ball out of the hands of an opponent, 3) contact the ball below the knee, and 4) dive on the floor for a rolling or stationary ball.
- A handball match is led by 2 equal referees, namely the goal line referee and the court referee.
- Referees have complete authority: Their decisions are final. The referees are assisted by a timer and a scorer.