[Latest] Handball | History | Rules | Dimensions 2024

Last updated on July 14th, 2024 at 04:33 pm

Handball

Handball is a team sport in which two teams of seven players each (six outfield players and a goalkeeper) pass a ball using their hands with the aim of throwing it into the goal of the team. A standard match consists of two periods of 30 minutes, and the team that scores more goal wins.

The game of handball is similar to the game of football, the difference between the two is that in football, hands are not to be used and in handball, feet are not to be used. 

The object of the game is to score more goals than the opposing team. Players with possession of the ball may throw or pass or hit or more with the ball with their hands or arms. Both hands (simultaneously) can be used while catching or while throwing the ball.

History of Handball

Handball was developed in Germany by Konrad Koch (a gymnastic instructor). Frederik Knudsen (Denmark) modified this game in. 1911.

The International Amateur Handball Federation was formed in 1928 during the Amsterdam Olympics.

Handball (for 11 player team) was a demonstrative sport at the Berlin Olympics in 1936. The first World Championships for 11 and 7 player teams were organized in 1938 in Germany. But the 11 players version gradually disappeared, as the 7 players version became more popular.

Handball is governed by the International Handball Federation (IHF). It became an Olympic event for men in 1972 at Munich and for women in 1976 at Montreal Olympics.

Handball Federation of India (HFI) was formed in 1955. It regulates its organization, selection of players and training of players in India.

Latest Rules of Handball

(i) A handball game is played between two teams of 12 players (7 field players and 5 substitutes). According to new rules the team consists of 16 members out of which 12 members are enlisted over the score sheet.

(ii) The object of the game is to score more goals than the opposing team. A goal is scored when the ball zoes entirely or crosses the goal line within the goalpost. After the goal is scored, the game restarts from the throw off from the center line.

(iii) The game is played in two halves of 30 minutes for men and 25 minutes for women, with 10 minutes rest in-between. Overtime

period of 5 minutes of two halves is given in case of tie in regular time, with 1 minute half time break. The game clock starts or stops according to the Referee’s signals.

(iv) Players with possession of ball may throw or pass or dribble or hit or move with the ball or catch the ball with their hands or arms but never with their feet. Both hands (simultaneously) can only be used while catching or while throwing the ball.

(v) There are the violations like double-dribble, kicking the ball, running with the ball for more than three steps. Fouls are like pull or hit the ball to opponents, block opponent

with arms or legs, restrain, hold, pass, run or jump into opponents or endanger opponents, etc. In these cases opponents are awarded Free-Throw.

(vi) Only the goalkeeper is allowed inside the goal area (inside 6 m goal line). Goalkeeper restraining line (at 4 m from goal line) is applicable during Penalty Throw.

(vii) The game starts with a Throw-off from center line by the team that wins the toss or after the goal scored by opponent or after each half,

(viii) During throw-off the player with the ball passes it to a teammate while each team must stay in its own half of the court before the start of game (up to Throw-off).

The player throwing must keep one foot in contact with the center line until the ball leaves his hand,

(ix) A player in possession of the ball shall not take more than 3 steps while holding the ball; a player should not hold the ball without dribbling for more than 3 seconds.

(x) Substitute is only permitted with the consent of the Referee and Table Official. The player to be substituted should only

enter from the area of substitute restraining lines if another player has moved out of the playing field. Othen\ise 2-minutes suspension will be given to the substituted player.

(xi) Penalty-Throw (7 m Throw) is awarded from a 7-meter line. This is given when the defending player intentionally obstructs the opponent from behind or by blocking dangerously while the player is throwing the ball towards the goal. 

The goalkeeper alone defends the goal whereas opponents throw the ball behind the 7 m mark. The goalkeeper is also restricted to come ahead of the restraining line for the goalkeeper. Rest of the players have to stand behind the 9 m line or free throw line.

(xii) Two-minute suspension is given when a player misbehaves with Referee, performs an unsportsmanlike act to opponents, manhandling the opponents, intentional

obstruction from behind, repeatedly obstruction in spite of warning or yellow card, attempts to endanger the opponent’s health while attacking.

Also Read: Basketball History, Rules, Dimensions

Measurement And Specifications

Handball court
  • Size of Playing Field = 40 m x 20 m
  • Shooting Circle = 6 m Inner Shooting Circle /
  • Goal Line and 9 m Outer Circle/Free Throw Line 
  • Penalty Point = 7 m
  • Goalpost = 2 m >< 3 m (8 cm thick block outside)
  • Weight of Ball = 450 g ± 25 g (M) and 350 g ± 25 g (W) Circumference of the Ball = 60 cm (M) and 55 cm (W)
  • No. of Players = 12 (7 Court Players and 5 Substitutes)
  • Duration of Game = 2 halves of 30 minutes (M) and 25 minutes (W) [5 to 10 min break in each half]
  • Fouls = Yellow card, Red card (Disqualification), 2 Minutes Suspension, Expulsion
  • Officials for Match = 2 Referees, 1 Scorer, 1 Timekeeper, 1 Recorder
  • Timeout in Game = 1 timeout (of 1 minute duration) in each half   
  • Extra Time = 2 halves of 5 minutes each (l min break in-between) 
  • Free Space Area = 3 meters on all sides of the playing field.

Handball Referee Signals

Hanball referee signals

Terminology

Dribble : It is a skill of controlling the ball and preventing opponents from gaining possession of the ball by  bouncing, dodging and faking with the ball.  

Pivot Player : A tall player or player who remains at center during attack and defense. Pivot player keeps the movement of the ball and tries to break the defense of the opponent.

O’ Degree Throw : A throw attempted near the corner of the goal line.

Fast-Break : A ball is quickly passed from one end to another end, to the own teammate for scoring a goal whereas the opponent’s defense cannot be set-up.

Passive Play : It is a method of intentionally delaying an attempted goal and keeping possession of the ball for more than 20 seconds. The Referee indicates this by raising one hand up. After the Referee’s signal the team has to execute the ball towards the opponent’s goal.

Fake : A skill to deceive opponents in the wrong direction and thus making free space to move ahead.

Throw-Off : To start (after the goal scored or in the beginning of each half of the game, a player passes the ball by cutting the center line whereas players of both teams remain in their own half.

Goal-Throw : During play if the ball goes out from the end line (goal line) by the opponent, then the goalkeeper starts the game by goal throw. This is also a goalkeeper throw.  

Throw-ln or Referee-Throw : During play if ball goes out from the sideline, then the opponent gets the chance for the ball’s Possession by Referee’s consent and gives the ball first to the referee and then is given the ball pass by cutting sideline.

Goal-Area : The arc around the goalpost at 6 m, which is restricted for all players except the goalkeeper.

Advantages to Goalkeeper : Only Goalkeeper is permitted inside the own goal area; goalkeeper can touch the ball with any body part inside the goal area; only goalkeeper is permitted to leave the goal area without permission.

Double Dribble : If player uses both hands simultaneously while dribbling, it is a fault• 

Obstruction : It is an illegal way to stop the opponent.     

Free-Throw : It is also known as 9 m throw. If defensiVe team commits fault or violation then the opponent is awarded a 9 m free-throw. Defensive players must be 3 m away from the opponent players.

7-Metre-Throw : It is also known as penalty throw. This goalkeeper alone defends the goal whereas the opponent throws the ball towards the goal post behind the 7 m mark. The goalkeeper is restricted to close up to the restraining line of the goalkeeper. Other players stand outside the 9m line or free throw line.

7-Meter-Throw given for : It is given when a defending player intentionally obstructs the opponent while he is  going to throw towards the goal post. 

This is given when the defending player intentionally obstructs the opponent from behind, blocking dangerously while the player is throwing towards goal,

jumps on the opponent without the ball, pushes  the opponent, trips on the opponent when he has a clear chance of scoring.

Running : A player with the ball is not allowed to run or Inovc Inorc for 3 steps without dribbling the ball. Otherwise the fault of running is given to the opponent.

Substitution : Any player can be replaced from extra players with the consent of table officials. The player to be replaced has to come out of the playing field first and then the substitute player has to enter from the substitute restraining line near the official table.

Substitution Line : The player to be substituted has to come out of playfield first and then the substitute has to enter from the substitute restraining line near the official table. It is marked 4.50 meters on sideline, at the center line on both sides.

Goalpost : It is a wooden post made with inner dimensions of 2 m height and 3 m length. The wooden log must be 8 cm thick in cubical shape. It should be painted in black and white with dimensions of 20 cm x 8 cm with alternate color.

Playing-Time : The regular time is 30 minutes for men and 25 minutes for women in two halves. The rest period in-between each half is 5 to 10 minutes.

Wings : It is the strategy of attacking from sides whereas players spread around the 9 m free throw line, their movement is such that they should break the opponent ‘s defense from the sides.

Line-Cut : During an attempt for goal if a player cuts or crosses the goal line, this is a violation.

Three-for-two rule : It is a strategic move in which two defenders come close and restrain the opponent to throw the ball.

Shuffling : It is again a strategic move during attack when man-to-man check by defenders is done. In this, the player moves or changes his position to break the defense of defenders.

Restraining Line or 4-Meter Line : It is meant for goalkeeper. It restrains the goalkeeper to come (ahead of goal line) up to this mark.

Safety Zone : It is an area around the handball court 3 meters on all sides of the court. 

9-Meter Line : It is a semi-circle dotted marked from the outer goal line and it is parallel to the goal line. Free throw is taken from this line. If the defensive team commits”fault or violatioå then opponent”is awarded with 9 mt free-throw.

Tie-Rule : If there is tie in regular time then extra-time of 5 min of two halves is given. If tie still exists, then five penalty throws are taken alternatively by each team to break the tie.

Privilege to Goalkeeper : Only goalkeeper is permitted inside the own goal area; goalkeeper can touch with any body part inside the goal area; only goalkeeper is permitted to leave the goal area without permission.

2-Minutes Suspension : Two-minutes suspension is given, when player misbehaves with Referee; performs unsportsmanlike act to opponent;

manhandling the oponent intentional obstruction from behind, repeatedly obstruction in spite of warning or yellow card, attempts to endanger the opponent’s health while attacking.

Yellow card : It is a warning against a player who is not playing under rules. Warning is given when he pulls or hits the ball from opponents, blocks opponent with arms or legs, restrains, holds, passes, runs or jumps into opponent,

Red card : It means disqualification of a player who is repeatedly committing obstruction in spite of warning. He is not allowed to play further.

An Expulsion : It means disqualification of a player who is repeatedly committing obstruction in spite of

Disqualification or goalkeeper : For serious unsportsmanlike conduct on or outside the court; receive warning in 2-minutes suspension already received; foul for endangering opponents’ health; assault by goalkeeper.

Restrictions imposed on goalkeeper : To re-enter the goal area with the ball from the playing area, to touch the ball when it is stationary or rolling on the floor outside the goal area while he is inside goal area, to endanger the opponent while in the act of defense, to take the ball into the goal area when it is stationary or rolling on the floor outside the gold area.

Duties

Duties of Recorder 

Recorder sits over the official table. He fills the score sheet carefully. He notes down the players, fouls, suspension, warning cards, etc., over the score sheet. He notes down the player scoring the goal. He checks the changing player.

Duties of Scorekeeper 

Scorekeeper is an official responsible for all data on the score sheet like score, fouls Of players, time outs, player in, player out, etc.

Duties of Timekeeper 

The Timekeeper sits by the Recorder on the official table. He starts the game clock and stops the game when the playing time ends, after each half. He stops the game clock during timeout and informs the Referee of the timeout to Referee. He stops or starts the game clock in-between (by the indication of Referee). 

He notes the duration of a 2-minutes suspended player and sends him to play accordingly. He assists Recorder by telling the chest number of the player scoring the goal.

Duties of Captain 

He is the player who decides the choice of choosing the side or throw off to begin the game. He is for the decisions of the team in the playing time. He is responsible for the conduct of his team in the playing area.

Duties of Referee 

Two referees are there, both standing diagonally opposite to each other. They assist one another for better coordination among them.

They judge fair play in their halves and make decisions accordingly. They start the game by throw-off and end the game by blowing a whistle. 

They signal fouls, timeout, enforce foul and penalties, side-pass, suspend player, warning to player. They indicate the beginning of the passive play and conml the game under rules.

They make decisions when a goal has been scored. They check the player’s equipment, ball, ground dimensions; ground safety area, etc.

Fundamental Skills of Handball

Pass : A pass, basic element of play, is an essential move in handball. The ball may be passed or thrown to a teammate in various ways, such as overhead pass, underarm pass, bounce pass, hook pass, jump pass, etc. The speed and accuracy of passes is often the gauge of a team’s skill level.

Jump-Throw : The shooter jumps up to throw at the goal. To be effective, the jump throw should be preceded by a run up (maximum of three steps). It is nothing less powerful than the standing throw. Jump-throw is more accurate and allows the player to have a direct shot at the goal, as the player jumps above the defender, who might otherwise block the ball.

Fall Away Throw : The fall away-throw is a spectacular variation of the jump-throw. It is used for throws over the goal post from the wings (at the edge of the goal area). 

The shooter jumps up and just before he throws, he twists laterally so that he is almost horizontal in the air and then throws.

Goalkeeper’s Technique : The goalkeeper defends a series of powerful shots from close. He tries to stop the ball or he deflects it. He gives opposing players less space to shoot, by advancing in front of his goal line and uses his entire body to block the shot. 

Arms are raised to the side whereas legs apart. The reflex action is very fast to respond to the coming ball so that goal can be prevented.

Dribble : It is a skill of controlling the ball from opponents, to keep the possession of the ball by bouncing. A good dribbling SHII often dodges or fakes to an approaching opponent.

Fake : It is a SHII to deceive opponents in the wrong direction. This provides a free area to move in other directions.

Screen : A defensive way to prevent the opponent from throwing towards the goal, by keeping close contact or by obstructing the opponent’s vision, etc.

Underhand-Shot : In this skill the player throws the ball under the waist level, i.e., with underhand. This skill is used when the opponents are blocking the overhead throws.

Lob-Shot : This skill of throw is often used when the goalkeeper is ahead (near goal line) providing a narrow area for the throw. This player lobs the ball over the goalkeeper so that he cannot stop the overhead coming ball.

Important Personalities, Tournaments And Venues

Important Personalities

(a) Arjuna Award Winners : Manjit Singh (1978), Roshan Lai (1984), surjit Singh (1990), Maikit Singh (1994), R. Lubhaya (1997), Ajnesh Kumar (1999).

Important Tournaments 

Olympic Games, World Championship, Asian Games, World League, National Games, Federation Cup.

Important Venues 

Indira Gandhi Stadium (New Delhi), NIS Indoor Stadium (Patiala and Gandhi Nagar), Tata Sports Complex (Tata Nagar), PAP Campus Ground (Jalandhar), Sports Complex (Bengaluru).

Final Words

From the above article you learnt about rules, history, measurements and many more about handball. We hope that you will get success by giving exam based on on handball.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who was the founder of Hanball?

Answer: Handball was developed in Germany by Konrad Koch (a gymnastic instructor). Frederik Knudsen (Denmark) modified this game in. 1911.

2. Which is the governing body of Handball?

Answer: Handball is governed by the International Handball Federation (IHF)

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