Handball General Information & Rules
Handball (also known as team handball, Olympic handball, European team handball or European handball) is a team sport in which two teams of seven players each (six on field players and a goalkeeper on each team) pass a ball to throw it into the goal of the other team. The game has been modified to suit primary school children.
The Handball carnival usually takes place over 3 consecutive days in October at Cabra College. Cross Road, Cumberland Park.
Handball Co-ordinators
Darren Elliott
Carnival Co-Ordinator
Contact Darren via email
Jamie Mulcahy
Handball Executive
Jeanette Archer
Handball Executive
Handball Events
Handball Information
Playing Area
Full netball court
Playing Time
Games will be 18 minutes with no half time. Four minute change over between games. Players can interchange during the game during breaks in play.
Number in Team
Maximum 6 players PLUS the goalkeeper on the court at any
one time. i.e. 7 players on each
team on the court at any time.
Ball
6” leather 32 panel
Rules
As per Aussie Sport handout (Copies from Co-ordinator if required)
Divisions
Seniors Years 6 & 7 Separate Boys/Girls teams
Additional Information
Schools may enter a maximum of 9 teams.
Modified goal size – 2.4 wide x 1.75m high
Mixed teams will be catered for at the discretion of the Coordinator.
The modern game actually grew out of three sports that were developed independently, in three different European countries. The Czech hazena, the Danish handbold and the German torball.
All three were based on soccer, but essentially replaced the foot with the hand, so that the ball could be advanced by batting or throwing rather than by kicking.
After World War II the seven- player game gradually took over from the eleven- player version in Europe and also spread to other continents. World championship play began again in 1954 and Handball was restored to the Olympic programme in 1972. Competition for women’s teams began in 1976. The object is to score by hitting or throwing an inflated ball into a goal. A player can move the ball by dribbling it, by hitting it with any part of the body above the knee or by throwing it. Only the goal keeper is allowed to kick the ball.
It’s against the rules to carry the ball for more than 3 steps or to hold it for more than 3 seconds. (A full 3 steps too, landing after catching the ball is step 0).
Shots on goal must be taken from outside the goal circle, an area in which only the goalkeeper is allowed. Minor violations of the rules allow a team a free throw, which is an unhindered pass to a teammate, usually from a spot near where the foul was committed. Penalty throws at the goal, awarded for more serious infractions are taken from a mark from just outside the goal circle.
The goal keeper is the only player allowed to touch the ball with his feet, but only to save a goal, not to direct it out of the goal or to control the ball when it is not being shot at goal.
The attackers may shoot from in the air above the goal area but must shoot before landing. A defender or an attacker can not travel through the goal area in order to get an advantage at another spot, (no short cuts). Casual entry into the goal area is OK. The rule only applies if you are seen to gain an advantage by entry into the goal area.
One can only use the torso to block the path of any player. If the arms are used to push or grab the player then it’s a free throw to the opposition side.
Attacking fouls: No barging or head ducking (lose the ball) No using the elbow or palming off No swiping away the defender’s arms with your hands to get past them. Basically just don’t use your arms
