Handball: Rules, History, and Gameplay
Handball: A Brief History
Origins and Evolution
Born in Germany
“I invented education” – Prof. Max Heiser, Berlin
Handball initially began with 11 players on a football field. In the mid-twentieth century, the game transitioned to two teams of 7 players on a 40m x 20m court.
Spain’s adoption of this format in the 1980s marked a turning point, leading to significant advancements in the sport, including a World Cup B victory and further progress.
In 1996, Spain achieved an Olympic bronze medal in Atlanta.
Prominent Spanish teams include FC Barcelona, Ademar Leon, and Ciudad Real.
In women’s handball, Eliana Valencia is a notable figure.
Spain secured a World Cup victory against Croatia in February 2005.
Youth Categories
Youth handball categories, known as benjamin, alevin, and minibalonmano, feature adapted goals, balls, and playing areas.
Professional League
The Liga Asobal (Honor Division) stands as the world’s most competitive handball league, with Spanish teams dominating European competitions.
Governing Body
The International Handball Federation (IHF) oversees official competitions worldwide, encompassing 100 federations and 4 million licensed players.
Players utilize resin to enhance their grip on the ball.
How to Play Handball
Objective
The aim is to score by getting the ball into the opposing team’s goal. The team with the most goals at the end wins.
Equipment and Court
- Ball: Covered in leather or synthetic material, with weight and circumference varying by category.
- Playing Area: 40m x 20m
- Lines:
- 6m line: Defines the goal area, accessible only to the goalkeeper.
- 9m or free-throw line: Discontinuous line.
- 7m or penalty line:
- 4m line: Marks the goalkeeper’s position during penalties.
Game Duration
Two 30-minute halves with a 10-minute break.
The team winning the coin toss chooses to serve or defer to the second half. The other team serves to start the second half.
Player Positions
- Goalkeeper: Defends the goal.
- Wingers: Play near the sidelines, requiring speed and agility to shoot from challenging angles.
- Backs: Tall players with powerful throws.
- Pivot: Plays in the center of the attack, facing away from the goal, using strength to create space for teammates.
- Center: Organizes the attack.
Substitutions are unlimited and can occur at any time without stopping play.
Gameplay Rules
- Throws: If the ball goes out of bounds, a player must take a throw-in from 3 meters outside the sideline.
- Technical Fouls: No physical contact is allowed between players.
- Steps: A player can take a maximum of three steps without bouncing or dribbling the ball.
- Double Dribble: Dribbling, catching, and then dribbling again is not permitted.
- Holding the Ball: Players cannot hold the ball for more than three seconds.
- Illegal Contact: Touching the ball with the knees or below is prohibited.
- Passing Violations: Passing the ball from one hand to the other is not allowed.
- Passive Play: Maintaining possession without attempting to attack is penalized.
Violations result in a free-throw for the opposing team from the spot of the infraction, at least 9 meters from the goal. Opponents must stay 3 meters away.
Disciplinary Fouls
- Physical contact, such as using the arm to dislodge the ball, obstructing with hands, arms, or legs (only the torso is allowed, and no grabbing), hugging, hitting, pushing, or tripping, are prohibited.
Penalties
- Warning
- Yellow Card (Warning)
- Two-Minute Suspension: The penalized player cannot be replaced during this time.
- Red Card (Disqualification): After a third two-minute suspension, the player is disqualified and can be replaced after two minutes.
The referee may also award a penalty throw.