What is passive play in handball?
I · Intermediate · Restarts · 5 of 6Keeping the ball without trying to attack or shoot. When the referees see it coming they raise an arm as a forewarning. From then the attacking team has at most four passes to take a shot. If a fifth pass is received with no shot, the other team has a free throw.
How it works
- The offence: "It is not permitted to keep the ball in the team's possession without making any recognisable attempt to attack or to shoot on goal."
- Also: repeatedly delaying a throw-off, free throw, throw-in or goalkeeper throw.
- The forewarning: when a tendency to passive play is recognised, the referee shows the forewarning signal.
- A chance to change: the signal gives the team the opportunity to change its way of attacking.
- Four passes: if no shot is taken "after a maximum of 4 passes, i.e. when the 5th pass is received by a teammate", a free throw is called.
- Or sooner: if the way of attacking does not change, the referees may whistle at any moment after the signal.
- The referees count: the number of passes is their observation of fact.
- The penalty: a free throw to the other team, from where the ball was when play stopped.
- Without warning: possible in certain situations, such as a player intentionally refusing a clear scoring chance.
- The arm comes down: if a shot rebounds to the attackers off the goal or goalkeeper, or a defender is given a personal punishment, the forewarning ends and a new build-up is allowed.
- No clock: there is no fixed number of seconds for an attack.
The glossary has passive play, the pass, the shot, the free throw, the referee and the time-out.
Tricky cases
The arm goes up and the team shoots, the goalkeeper saves and the attackers get the rebound. Does the count carry on?
No. If a shot rebounds directly to the attacking team from the goal or the goalkeeper, the forewarning is no longer valid and the team is allowed a new build-up.
Is there a time limit on an attack before the arm goes up?
No. The referees judge a tendency to passive play, and no number of seconds is given.
A team is playing one short because of a suspension. May it keep the ball longer?
No. The same criteria apply. The clarification warns referees that short-handed teams sometimes start moves with no intention of attacking the goal, only to gain time.
A player has an open goal and passes backwards on purpose. Can the referees give a free throw at once?
Yes. Intentionally refraining from using a clear scoring chance may be penalised without a forewarning.
Why the rule exists
A team that is ahead could otherwise pass the ball around the outside until time ran out, since defenders cannot enter into a tackle the way footballers can. Handball has no shot clock. It relies on the referees' judgement, with the raised arm as a public warning so that no team is surprised.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Normal attack | Forewarning first, then four passes | IHF 7:12 |
| Refusing a clear chance | Free throw without forewarning | IHF 7:12 |
| The free throw | From where the ball was, not where an offence happened | IHF 7:11 |
| Basketball | A shot clock in seconds | Not in this set |
From the rule book
International Handball Federation, Rules of the Game: Indoor Handball (1 July 2025), Rules 7:11 and 7:12 and Clarification No. 4. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: IX. Rules of the Game, a) Indoor Handball (PDF).