What is a handball goalkeeper allowed to do that other players are not?
I · Intermediate · The game · 2 of 6Inside the goal area, almost anything in defence: the goalkeeper may stop the ball with any part of the body, feet included, and move with it without the limit on steps. Outside it they are an ordinary court player. They may not carry the ball out of the area or bring it back in.
How it works
- Any part of the body: the goalkeeper may "touch the ball with any part of his body while in the act of defence inside the goal area".
- No step limit inside: free of the three-step and three-second limits there, though not allowed to delay the goalkeeper throw.
- Leaving without the ball: allowed. The goalkeeper then plays under the court players' rules.
- Out: the goalkeeper has left the area "as soon as any part of the body touches the floor outside the goal-area line".
- Not with the ball: leaving the goal area with the ball under control is not allowed.
- Not back in with it: re-entering the goal area from the playing area with the ball is not allowed.
- Not reaching out: touching a ball that is lying or rolling on the floor outside the area while standing inside it is not allowed.
- Not kicking it out: touching the ball with the foot or lower leg when it is moving out towards the playing area is not allowed.
- Not endangering: the goalkeeper may not endanger an opponent while defending.
- At a 7-metre throw: the goalkeeper may not cross the 4-metre line before the ball leaves the thrower's hand.
- Changing over: a goalkeeper may become a court player and a court player a goalkeeper at any time, in the right shirt.
The glossary has the goalkeeper, the goal area, the save, the goalkeeper throw, the 7-metre line and 4-metre line entry and the playing without a goalkeeper entry.
Tricky cases
The goalkeeper saves with a foot. Is that allowed?
Yes, inside the goal area and in the act of defence.
The goalkeeper runs out to intercept a long pass and collides with the attacker. What is the punishment?
Disqualification. A goalkeeper who leaves the area to catch a pass meant for an opponent is responsible for avoiding a dangerous collision, and a 7-metre throw follows if the attacker would have reached the ball.
The ball is rolling slowly outside the 6-metre line. Can the goalkeeper lean out and pull it in?
No. The goalkeeper may not take a ball that is lying or rolling outside into the goal area. The other team has a free throw.
The goalkeeper stands with one foot on the 4-metre line and leans forward at a 7-metre throw. Is that legal?
Yes. With one foot on or behind the line, the other foot or any other part of the body may be over it in the air.
Why the rule exists
Shots come from six metres at great speed, so the goalkeeper is given the whole body to stop them. The price is that the freedom ends at the line. If a goalkeeper could carry the ball out or fetch it back in, the goal area would become a safe place to keep possession.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Inside the goal area | Any part of the body, no step limit | IHF 5:1; IHF 5:2 |
| Outside the goal area | Court player's rules | IHF 5:3 |
| 7-metre throw | Must stay behind the 4-metre line | IHF 5:11; IHF 14:9 |
| Empty goal | A team may play with seven court players and no goalkeeper | IHF 4:1 |
From the rule book
International Handball Federation, Rules of the Game: Indoor Handball (1 July 2025), Rule 5 and the comment to Rule 8:5. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: IX. Rules of the Game, a) Indoor Handball (PDF).