Handball is a team sport played with the hands, hence its name, hand (hand) and ball (ball). It was created in Germany at the beginning of the 20th century. In Brazil, the sport arrived in the 1930s and the Brazilian Handball Confederation (CBHb) was founded in 1979.
handball court
The handball court is in the shape of a rectangle and is 40 meters long and 20 meters wide.
Lengthwise, the sides are called lateral lines. Widthwise, the sides are called goal lines and end lines. The goal lines comprise the space between the posts and the goal, while the end lines comprise the entire side of the width, except the goal line.
Handball match duration
In formal handball competitions, games last 2 halves of 30 minutes, with a 10-minute break. In games whose players are between 12 and 16 years old, the match consists of 2 halves of 25 minutes, while between children aged 8 and 12, there are 2 halves of 20 minutes.
If there is a tie in the regulation game time and it is necessary to determine a winner, extensions are applied. Extra time lasts 2 halves of 5 minutes and has a 1-minute break. If the game remains tied after extra time, a second extra time is held, also lasting two 5-minute halves and a 1-minute break. If the game remains tied after two overtime periods, the winner is determined in accordance with the competition rules.
One of the ways generally used to break the tie after the second extra time is 7-meter shots, similar to penalties in football.
The game starts with the exit shot. To decide which team starts the throw-off, a draw is made. The team that wins the toss can choose between possession of the ball (starting the game with the throw-off) or their side of the court.
In the second half, the throw-off is taken by the other team and sides of the court are switched.
The game ends with the end sign scoreboard or timekeeper.
Game interruptions are called time-out, which is mandatory in the following situations:
- exclusion of a player for 2 minutes or disqualification;
- granting of technical time;
- whistle signal from the timekeeper or technical delegate;
- consultations made between arbitrators;
- External influences, for example the need to dry the playing court.
7 meter shot
The 7-meter shot is like the penalty in football, and it can be given, for example, in the following cases:
- when a player prevents, against the rules of the game, the scoring of a goal;
- when a meaningless whistle is given at the moment when the player was about to score a goal;
- when someone from outside the game enters the court and prevents the scoring of a goal that was about to be scored.
handball team
Each team can have up to 14 players on the court, 7 starting players and 7 substitutes. During the game, the goalkeeper position can be exchanged with another player.
The only specific handball position is goalkeeper. The other 6 athletes do not have fixed positions on the court. However, generally each team plays with the following composition:
- central playmaker, who is the organizer of the plays;
- half-weapons, who are positioned next to the central playmaker and are responsible for making the progression of plays in the offensive organization;
- extremes (right and left), responsible for plays made at the lateral ends of the court;
- pivot, who plays with his back to goal and has the main function of opening spaces in the opponent's defense.
When the ball is in the opposing team's possession, all players must defend together, within their respective positions.
Player substitutions can be made at any time, as long as a player leaves and the one who replaces him enters.
Ball and other handball equipment
The handball ball is made of leather or synthetic material and must not be shiny or slippery. There are two categories of ball: with glue (resin) and without glue (resin).
The size and measurement of the balls with glue they are:
- in men's sport, over 16 years old, the ball must measure between 58 and 60 cm in circumference and weigh between 425 and 475 g;
- in the female category, over 14 years old, the ball must measure between 54 and 56 cm in circumference and weigh between 325 and 375 g;
- in female teams between 8 and 14 years old and male teams between 8 and 12 years old, the ball must measure between 50 and 52 cm and weigh between 290 and 330 g.
The size and measurement of the glueless balls they are:
- in men's sport, over 16 years old, the ball must measure between 55.5 and 57.5 cm in circumference and weigh between 400 and 425 g;
- in the female category, over 14 years old, the ball must measure between 51.5 and 53.5 cm in circumference and weigh between 300 and 325 g;
- in female teams between 8 and 14 years old and male teams between 8 and 12 years old, the ball must measure between 49 and 51 cm and weigh between 290 and 315 g.
In handball, all players must wear the same uniform and sports shoes. It is not permitted to use head protection, face mask, gloves or other objects that could be dangerous.
Handball ball handling
Players can:
- throw, catch, stop, push or hit the ball with the hands, arms, head, torso, thighs and knees;
- hold the ball when it is in contact with the ground for a maximum of 3 seconds;
- take a maximum of 3 steps with the ball;
- dribbling the ball and catching it, whether standing or running;
- pass the ball from one hand to the other.
Players cannot:
- touching the ball more than once after controlling it, unless it has touched the ground, another player or the goal;
- touching the ball with the foot or leg below the knee, unless it was thrown by an opponent;
- move with one or both feet off the court while in possession of the ball.
Fouls in handball
In handball, it is not permitted:
- snatch or hit the ball that is in the opponent's hands;
- block or push the opponent;
- grab the opponent;
- jump over the opponent.
Disciplinary sanctions are applied according to the judgment of each situation. In addition to the 7-meter shot for the opponent, sanctions can be:
- exclusion of the athlete for 2 immediate minutes;
- disqualification;
- disciplinary punishment, where the referee prepares a report on the act at the end of the game, which can cause punishment for the athlete in the next games;
- progressive punishment.
Read too:
Handball: history, fundamentals and rules
Invasion sports: what they are and examples
Bibliographic references
Game Rules – Indoor Handball. Updated. Document accessed on 11/16/2023. Available in: https://cbhb.org.br/governanca/169/diretoria-de-arbitragem
Handball rules: characteristics of the game.All Matter, [n.d.]. Available in: https://www.todamateria.com.br/regras-do-handebol/. Access at:
See too
- Updated volleyball rules (2021-2024)
- Futsal
- Invasion sports: what they are and 9 examples
- Handball
- Baseball
- Basketball Rules
- Volleyball
- Beach volleyball