Handball words · Intermediate

The words that make the commentary make sense. They build on the beginner words.

I · Intermediate · 26 words · Step 2 of 2

Basic setup terms

Goal line and outer goal line

The short boundary line between the goalposts is the goal line, and the parts to either side are the outer goal lines. A ball over the outer goal line brings a throw-in or a goalkeeper throw.

7-metre line and 4-metre line

The 7-metre line is the 1 m mark from which the 7-metre throw is taken. The 4-metre line is the goalkeeper's restraining line, which the goalkeeper may not cross before the thrower releases the ball.

Throw-off area

A circle of 4 m diameter in the middle of the centre line, mandatory at IHF events and senior professional leagues, from which the throw-off may be taken.

Scoring terms

7-metre throwing

The tie-break after overtime. Each team nominates five players to take one throw each, alternating, and goalkeepers are chosen freely from the eligible players. If still tied, five more throws each follow until one side leads after equal numbers.

Also called: shoot-out
See also: Overtime

Playing terms

Playing the ball

The ball may be thrown, caught, stopped, pushed or hit with hands, arms, head, torso, thighs and knees. It may not be touched with a foot or leg below the knee unless thrown at the player by an opponent, and may not be touched while any part of the body is on the floor outside the court.

The ruleHow many steps can you take in handball, and how long can you hold the ball?

Ball sizes

For senior men the ball is IHF size 3 (58 to 60 cm round, 425 to 475 g, when played with resin), and size 2 for senior women. There are smaller balls for youth. A game must have at least two balls.

Fouls and violations

Entering the goal area

An attacker entering with the ball, or gaining an advantage, gives a goalkeeper throw. A defender entering and gaining an advantage gives a free throw, and a defender destroying a clear scoring chance gives a 7-metre throw.

Clear chance of scoring

A situation where an attacker has a real chance to score and it is illegally destroyed, which brings a 7-metre throw. If the attacker keeps full control of ball and body despite the violation, or scores, there is no throw. The referees wait until they can tell.

Last 30 seconds

In the last 30 seconds, if a player or official prevents or delays a throw to stop the other team shooting, or a dangerous or reckless foul stops a scoring chance, the guilty person is disqualified and the opponents get a 7-metre throw.

Hitting the goalkeeper's head

When an unhindered shooter in open play, or a 7-metre shooter, hits the goalkeeper's head first and the goalkeeper was not moving it to block, the shooter gets a two-minute suspension.

The ruleWhat happens if a shot hits the goalkeeper in the head in handball?

Punishments

Blue card

Shown after a red card to say a written report will go to the authorities, for acts that are particularly reckless, dangerous, premeditated or malicious, or extremely unsportsmanlike.

Unsportsmanlike conduct

Words or actions against the spirit of sportsmanship, by players and team officials on or off the court. There are four levels: progressive (a warning first), a direct two-minute suspension, a disqualification, and a disqualification with a written report.

The ruleWhat counts as unsportsmanlike conduct in handball?

Attacking terms

Crossing

An attacking move where two players swap running lines to confuse defenders and create space.

Also called: cross movement

Screen

An attacker standing to stop a defender from moving. Setting and moving out of a block must be done passively; using the arms, legs or hands to block is a foul.

Playing without a goalkeeper

A team may play without a goalkeeper, with up to seven court players on the playing court, usually to add an extra attacker. If it has to take a goalkeeper throw, a goalkeeper must replace a court player.

Also called: empty net attack, empty goal
See also: Playing court, Goalkeeper, Goalkeeper throw

Falling shot

A shot taken while diving forward, often used to get an angle past a well positioned goalkeeper.

Wing shot

A shot taken from a tight angle near the sideline, usually while jumping to see over defenders.

Defensive terms

6-0 defence

A common defensive formation with all six outfield defenders lined up along the goal area line.

5-1 defence

A defensive formation with five players on the line and one pushed forward to pressure the ball earlier.

Man to man defence

A defensive approach where each defender is responsible for tracking a specific attacker.

Passive play

Keeping the ball without a recognisable attempt to attack or shoot, or repeatedly delaying a throw. The referees show a forewarning signal, and the team must change its attack. If no shot follows within four passes, or the fifth pass is received, a free throw goes to the opponents.

Also called: passive play warning, forewarning signal
See also: Free throw

The ruleWhat is passive play in handball?

Match and rule terms

Time-out

A referee time-out is an interruption the referees decide on, compulsory for example for a suspension, a disqualification or a signal from the timekeeper. A team time-out is one minute, and each team may have one in each half of regular time, not in overtime, unless the competition sets a different number.

See also: Half, Referee, Overtime, Disqualification

Progressive punishment

The system of punishing repeated or related offences with a warning, then a two-minute suspension, then disqualification. Some fouls skip the warning and go direct to a suspension or a disqualification.

Responsible team official

The one team official who may speak to the timekeeper, scorekeeper and referees. They are accountable for the team's equipment and for who is in the substitution area, and they are punished progressively for violations.

Timekeeper and scorekeeper

The timekeeper looks after playing time, time-outs and suspension time. The scorekeeper looks after the rosters and score sheet and entering late players. Only the timekeeper or delegate normally stops the game.

Playing time

From the throw-off whistle to the automatic final signal. For punishments, playing time includes intermissions, time-outs and overtime.