The Rules of Handball

What is handball?

Team handball is a fast indoor sport played between two teams of seven players each. 🤾 Players throw, catch and bounce a ball with their hands, trying to throw it into the other team's goal. It is a bit like a mix of basketball and football, but you score in a goal with a goalkeeper.

It is one of the fastest team sports, with lots of running, passing and quick shots.

The aim of the game

Your team wants to score more goals than the other team. You score by throwing the ball into the other team's goal. The team with the most goals at the end of two halves wins.

Each team has six outfield players plus one goalkeeper who guards the goal.

The three-step rule

Here is the rule that shapes handball. You may take only three steps while holding the ball. After three steps you must do one of three things:

1. Pass the ball to a teammate.
2. Shoot at the goal.
3. Start dribbling (bouncing the ball on the floor).

You can also hold the ball still for only about three seconds. Why these limits? They stop players from simply running across the court with the ball. The rules force quick passing and teamwork, keeping the game fast and fair.

Dribbling

Just like in basketball, you may dribble — bounce the ball on the floor with one hand as you move. Once you stop dribbling and hold the ball, you cannot start dribbling again. Then you have your three steps and three seconds to pass or shoot.

The goal area line

A curved line called the goal area line (or six-metre line) is drawn in front of each goal. This area belongs to the goalkeeper.

• Only the goalkeeper may stand inside the goal area.
• Outfield players cannot step inside it.

But there is a clever part: an attacker is allowed to jump from outside the line, shoot while in the air, and land inside afterwards. This makes for exciting, flying jump-shots! The shooter just must release the ball before landing.

Scoring a goal

A goal counts when the whole ball crosses the goal line inside the goal. Because the goal area belongs to the keeper, shooters must throw from outside the line or leap over it. After a goal, the other team restarts from the centre.

Fouls and fair play

Handball allows some gentle defending, but these are fouls:

• Pushing, holding, hitting or tripping an opponent.
• Stepping into the goal area as an outfield player.
• Taking too many steps or holding the ball too long.

When a foul happens, the other team gets a free throw. A bad foul that stops a clear goal chance leads to a seven-metre throw, a free shot against just the goalkeeper.

Why the rules work

The three-step rule keeps everyone passing and moving, so no one can hog the ball. The goal area rule protects the goalkeeper and rewards skilful jump-shots. Together these rules make handball quick, exciting and full of teamwork.

Practice activity: three-step shootout

Try this with friends and an adult to watch:

1. Mark a small goal with two cones and choose a goalkeeper.
2. Draw a line a few big steps in front of the goal — no shooters may cross it.
3. Each shooter gets the ball, takes no more than three steps, then throws at the goal.
4. Count out loud "one, two, three" steps so everyone keeps to the rule.
5. Take turns shooting and keeping goal, and add up your goals.

This trains the three-step rule, accurate throwing and respecting the goal area. Use a soft ball and keep throws aimed at the goal, not at people.

Now you know the rules

You understand goals, the three-step rule, dribbling and the goal area. Grab a soft ball and friends and practise passing and shooting!

Want more sports rules? Read The Rules of Basketball, and learn about Teamwork and Sportsmanship.