Team handball is a seven-a-side indoor sport in which two teams pass, dribble and throw a small ball with their hands, aiming to throw it into the opponents' goal, with the team scoring more goals winning the match. Fast, physical and high-scoring, it is an Olympic discipline governed internationally by the IHF and is especially popular across Europe.
The game blends elements familiar from other team sports, combining the goal-scoring objective of soccer with hand-based ball movement, and is known for its rapid transitions and frequent shots on goal.
What Team Handball Is and How It Is Played
Each team has seven players on court, six outfield players and a goalkeeper. The objective is to advance the ball by passing among teammates or dribbling it, and to throw it past the goalkeeper into the net. Players may hold the ball for a limited time and take only a restricted number of steps without dribbling before they must pass or shoot.
Play is continuous and end-to-end, with possession changing quickly after goals, saves and turnovers. The structure, two teams attacking opposing goals defended by a goalkeeper, mirrors that of soccer, but the use of the hands and the small court make handball faster and far higher-scoring.
Core Rules and How to Play
A player in possession may take up to three steps before and after dribbling, and may hold the ball for no more than three seconds without acting. Outfield players may not enter the goal area, the semicircular zone around the goal, although they may jump into it from outside and release the ball before landing.
- Steps: taking more than three steps with the ball is a violation.
- Double dribble: dribbling, catching, then dribbling again is not allowed.
- Goal-area violation: an outfield player entering the crease while controlling the ball loses possession.
- Passive play: failing to make a genuine attacking attempt can be penalised.
Defenders may use the body to obstruct opponents but may not hold, push or strike them. Serious fouls are punished with a two-minute suspension, leaving the offending team a player short, and a penalty throw is awarded for fouls that prevent a clear scoring chance.
Scoring
A goal is scored when the entire ball crosses the goal line between the posts and beneath the crossbar, provided the thrower has not committed a violation. Each goal counts as one point. Because the court is small and shots are frequent, handball matches are high-scoring, often with both teams reaching the twenties or thirties.
A match is played over two halves of 30 minutes. The team with more goals at the end wins, and in knockout competitions a tie may be settled by periods of extra time and, if needed, a series of penalty throws from the seven-metre line.
Equipment, the Court and the Goal
The ball is small enough to be gripped in one hand and is often treated with a resin to aid handling. Players wear a jersey, shorts and indoor court shoes; the goalkeeper wears a distinguishing shirt. The court measures 40 metres long and 20 metres wide.
A goal 3 metres wide and 2 metres high stands at each end, surrounded by the six-metre goal-area line that only the goalkeeper may occupy. A dashed nine-metre line marks where free throws are taken after certain fouls, and the seven-metre line is the spot for penalty throws.
History and Origins
Modern handball developed in northern Europe, particularly Denmark, Germany and Sweden, in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, with the rules of the indoor seven-a-side game taking shape in the 1910s and 1920s. An earlier eleven-a-side outdoor version was also played.
The International Handball Federation was founded in 1946, and the indoor game became an Olympic event for men in 1972 and for women in 1976. It is now a major team sport across Europe, with strong professional leagues and international competition.
Positions, Competitions and Skills
Outfield positions include the goalkeeper, wings on each flank, backs who shoot from distance, the centre back who runs the attack, and a pivot who plays close to the defence. Major competitions are the IHF World Championship, the European Championship and the Olympic tournament.
Key skills are accurate passing, powerful and well-placed throwing, jumping ability for shots over the defence, and quick footwork in defence. Stamina is essential because the pace of the small-court game is relentless, with constant sprints between attack and defence.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many players are on a handball team?
Each team has seven players on court, comprising six outfield players and one goalkeeper, plus substitutes who can be rotated in throughout the game.
Can players run with the ball in handball?
A player may take up to three steps while holding the ball and may dribble it. They may hold the ball for no more than three seconds before passing, shooting or dribbling.
Why can't outfield players enter the goal area?
The semicircular goal area is reserved for the goalkeeper. Outfield players may jump into it from outside and must release the ball before landing back on the floor.
How long is a handball match?
A standard match is played over two halves of 30 minutes each, with a half-time interval. Knockout ties can be extended with extra time and penalty throws.
What is a two-minute suspension?
For serious fouls, a player is suspended for two minutes and cannot be replaced, leaving the team a player short until the suspension ends.
Why are handball scores so high?
The court is small and attacks are quick, producing many shots on goal. As a result, competitive matches often see both teams score well into the twenties or thirties.
How big is a handball goal?
The goal is 3 metres wide and 2 metres high, surrounded by a six-metre goal-area line that only the goalkeeper is permitted to stand inside.