What is the last-30-seconds rule in handball?
A · Advanced · Fouls and punishments · 2 of 3A stiffer punishment for cheating at the very end. If, in the last 30 seconds of a game, a player or official stops the other team from getting a shot or a clear chance, by delaying a throw or by a serious foul, they are disqualified and the other team has a 7-metre throw.
How it works
- When: "during the last 30 seconds of a game", which means the end of normal time and the end of each overtime period, not the end of the first half.
- Ball out of play: a player or official who "prevents or delays the execution of a throw for the opponents", to stop them getting a shot or a clear chance.
- Any interference: including limited physical action, intercepting the pass from the throw and not releasing the ball.
- Standing too close: less than three metres away without interfering is not punished. Using that position to block the throw is.
- The punishment: the guilty player or official "is to be disqualified and a 7m throw is to be granted to the opponents".
- Ball in play: a foul that would be a disqualification, or seriously or extremely unsportsmanlike conduct, that prevents a shot or a clear chance.
- The same result: disqualification and a 7-metre throw.
- Wherever it happens: the 7-metre throw does not depend on a clear chance having existed.
- If they score anyway: if the fouled player or a team-mate scores before play is stopped, the goal stands and there is no 7-metre throw.
- Ordinary fouls: a normal foul in the last 30 seconds is still a free throw.
- The game goes on: a throw awarded before the final signal is taken after it.
The glossary has the last 30 seconds entry, the 7-metre throw, the disqualification, the red card, the throw-off and the unsportsmanlike conduct entry.
Tricky cases
A team scores to go one ahead with ten seconds left and a player stands on the ball to stop the quick throw-off. What happens?
Disqualification and a 7-metre throw to the other team.
A defender commits an ordinary holding foul with 15 seconds left. Is that a 7-metre throw?
No. With the ball in play, the rule applies to fouls and conduct serious enough for a disqualification.
Does the rule apply at the end of the first half?
No. The guidelines say it means the end of the second half of normal time and the end of the second half of each overtime period: from 59:30, 69:30 or 79:30 on the clock.
The fouled player's team-mate scores before the whistle. Is there a 7-metre throw as well?
No. The goal stands and the 7-metre throw is not given. The disqualification still is.
Why the rule exists
With seconds left, a red card alone costs nothing: the player misses no real time and the foul or delay has already saved the game. A free throw from the middle of the court is no threat either. Adding a 7-metre throw makes sure the cheating cannot pay.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Ball out of play | Any preventing or delaying of a throw | IHF 8:11a |
| Ball in play | Only offences that bring a disqualification | IHF 8:11b |
| The rest of the match | Delaying a throw is a warning or two minutes | IHF 8:7c; IHF 8:8g |
| A dangerous foul to prevent a goal | Treated as extremely unsportsmanlike | IHF 8:6, comment |
From the rule book
International Handball Federation, Rules of the Game: Indoor Handball (1 July 2025), Rule 8:11, the comment to Rule 8:6 and the Guidelines and Interpretations on the last 30 seconds. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: IX. Rules of the Game, a) Indoor Handball (PDF).