A Rookie’s Guide To Handball
- therookiereporters
- 1 day ago
- 6 min read
Need a new sport to watch? Here is everything you need to know about handball! From how a handball match works to different penalties.
How a handball match works:
A handball match is played between two teams, consisting of seven players each. It is similar to football, but in handball, players use their hands instead of feet - along with a more detailed set of rules. Handball is played on an indoor court with a small, round ball, often covered with resin to improve grip and control. There is an attacking team and a defending team, but they switch roles after each attack.
The attacking team tries to score on the defending team, by getting the ball into the goal. This can be done through doing different systems/plays, moves or long-range shots, if possible. The duration of a match is 60 minutes with a short break at halftime after 30 minutes. Handball is a fast-paced and exciting sport, while being accessible to new watchers.
Attacking Team Player Positions:
LW = Left Wing:
Stays in the left corner of the court. Often one of the quickest, their main role is to finish to be able to score from narrow and tight angles. They also help to stretch out the defending team by staying wide.
LB = Left Back
The LB is positioned slightly further back than LW. This player is often strong and tall to be able to take good long-range shots or quick and small to break through the defense. They also help organize systems/plays, alongside the CB and RB.
P = Pivot
This player is positioned near the goal area, amongst the defenders. Their role is to create space by getting in the way of defenders and blocking them and getting passes to be able to score from close-range.
CB = Center back
The CB is also known as the ‘playmaker’ of the team, because they organize plays and attacks. They are positioned in the centre. This player needs to have a very good understanding of how both teams play and handball in general.
RB = Right Back
This player mirrors LB’s position, but on the right side. They are often lefthanded, as this gives better opportunities. Their role is to be able to take long-range shots and break through the defense, while maintaining pressure on the defense team.
RW = Right Wing
The RW stays in the right corner of the court. Like the LW, they are very quick and able to shoot from narrow and tight angles. They are also often lefthanded.
Defending Team Player Positions:
Left #1 = Defender for LW
This defender marks the LW, trying to prevent attacks from the left side, while staying close to their wing player.
Left #2 = Defender for LB
They mark the LB, by focusing on blocking long-range shots, while trying to intercept any passes on the left side.
Low #3 = Defender for P
This is often one of the best and strongest defenders. Their role is to mark the P by blocking them and stopping close-range shots. They also help organize the defense line, alongside high #3.
High #3 = Defender for CB
The high #3 is very similar to low #3, just marking CB instead of P. Their role is to prevent any passes and blocking shots. Working together with low #3, they organize the defense line by reading the attacking team.
Right #2 = Defender for RB
Protecting against powerful right-side shots and stopping breakthroughs, this defender marks the RB. This defender also help support the right #1
Right #1 = Defender for RW
Like left #1, they need to stay close to their wing player, while preventing any attacks from the far left side.
GB = Goalkeeper
The goalkeeper protects the goal and is the last line of defense. They make saves, anticipate shots and often guide the defense line by communicating. They need to be quick, flexible and have good reflexes.
Important rules:
3 Steps/Travelling:
In handball you are only allowed to take up to three steps if you have the ball,unless you dribble which restarts the countdown and therefore allows you to take another three steps, but once you’ve stopped dribbling and taken the ball firmly back in your hand, you’re only allowed three steps (explanation just below) and need to either shoot or pass the ball. If you take more than three steps without dribbling, the opposite team will get a free-throw (read more in “possible penalties”.)
Double Dribble:
You are allowed to dribble for as long as you want, but once you have stopped or just taken the ball firmly in your hand, you cannot dribble again, as this is called “Double Dribbling”. If you do, that will result in a free-throw for the other team.
3 Seconds:
This rule means that you’re only allowed to hold the ball for 3 seconds before you need to either dribble, pass the ball or shoot. This rule also counts if you’re just standing still or even holding the ball while its at the ground. A violation to this rule, results in a free-throw to the opposite team.
Goal Area Infringement:
On the handball court, there is half a circle around the goal that marks the “goal area”. In this area, only the goalkeeper is allowed - unless it's because you’ve landed in there after having released the ball. If a player from the opposite team steps into the area either with a ball or to gain an advantage, it will result in a turnover, which means the other team will be given the ball.
Passive Play:
This will be applied when the attacking team does not make a clear attempt to attack or shoot at goal while having possession of the ball. The referee will hold its hand up to warn the attacking team. The attacking team will then have max. four passes to use before they have to shoot at goal, if used over the four passes, the opposite team gets a free-throw.
Throw-Off:
This is used every time the opposite team scores a goal, the other team has to get the ball up in the middle before they can start an attack. One player (often the pivot) must have their foot on the centre line while holding the ball, the other players from the same team must stay on their own half until the referee whistles to start the attack.
Throw-In:
If the ball crosses the sideline somehow, there is a ‘throw-in’ to the opposite team of who last touched the ball. A player from the opposite team has to have a foot on the sideline, where the ball left the court, and can take the throw without having to wait for the referee’s whistle.
Goalkeeper Throw:
A goalkeeper throw is used when the ball crosses the line behind the goal aka the goal line after being touched by the attacking team. Here the goalkeeper has to start the play by throwing the ball from within the goal area.
Possible Penalties:
Free-Throw:
This is the most common one. It is awarded after a minor rule violation. The play gets a restart at the place where the foul happened, with a quick throw.
Penalty Throw:
A penalty throw (7-meter-throw) is given after a serious rule violation or stopping a clear scoring chance. The attacking team chooses a player to stand at the 7-meter mark where there is only the goalkeeper to beat.
Yellow Card:
This is given as a warning for being too rough repeatedly, unsportsmanlike or violating minor rules.
2-Minute Suspension:
A 2-minute suspension is given to a player for serious fouls or repeatedly rule breaking. The player must leave the court for 2 minutes and the team cannot replace that player, leaving the team temporarily short-handed.
Red Card:
This is given for a very serious foul or violent behaviour. The given player is excluded from the rest of the match.
Blue Card:
This is only given for very serious misconduct. The player must be excluded from the rest of the game and after the game has ended, the referees will send a written report, which will automatically lead to a further quarantine.
Handball may seem complex at first, with its many rules and positions, but that is also what makes it so exciting. The constant transitions and quick decision making creates a sport, where standing still is almost impossible.
As you get familiar with the game and how it works, it becomes much easier to follow and far more enjoyable. Now that you know the basics, you are ready to watch and enjoy all the action on the handball court - no matter if you’re a casual watcher, a rookie or looking to dive deeper into the sport.
Article written by Laura Friis