Handball may not be as well-known a sport in Taiwan as basketball or soccer, but it's a long-established mainstream sport in European countries such as Germany, Denmark, and France, where it's been recognized as one of the official competitions of the Olympic Games. If you've ever been exposed to a simpler version of pitching in PE class at school, then the official "handball" is an evolved version of it.

In this article, UNISTAR's star-studded team will guide you to understand what handball is and how to play it, as well as introduce the time, number of players, rules and regulations of handball matches, so that you can get started with this exciting and team-oriented sport in a short time.

What is Handball? A quick introduction to one of Europe's leading sports

Handball is a ball game that combines throwing, running, defense, and tactics. Players must pass the ball with their bare hands and throw it into the opposing team's goal to score. Each team consists of seven players (including the goalkeeper), and both teams play offense and defense against each other, with the winner being the one who scores the highest number of points.

It is a very fast-paced game that requires players to make quick judgments and reactions in almost every transition between offense and defense, making it extremely appealing to both spectators and players on a technical level. Compared to soccer, which relies on the feet, or basketball, which relies on a jump shot, handball relies entirely on "hand control", hence its name.

Handball is often referred to as "indoor handball" because it is played on indoor courts in official matches.

How to play handball? Basic Rules

In a standard handball match, each team plays seven players: six field players and a goalkeeper. The rest of the players are substitutes and are free to enter and leave the court as many times as they like. The playing surface is 40 meters long and 20 meters wide, about the size of an indoor basketball court.

The player's main task is to pass the ball and push it forward using movement within three steps, and to look for an opportunity to throw the ball under pressure from the opponent's defense. The rules allow for a "three-step stop": a player may take up to three steps with the ball, after which he must pass, tap or throw; once he taps the ball and then holds it, he may not tap the ball again or he will be whistled for an infraction.

The time limit for offense is 30 seconds. If the offense is late, the referee has the right to signal "passive offense" to force the team to take a shot.

Handball Game Time and Substitution Rules

Standard handball is played in two 30-minute halves, with a 10-minute interval. In the event of a tie and a winner, two 5-minute extended periods are played, and if a winner cannot be determined, a 7-meter penalty kick (similar to a soccer penalty kick) is used to determine the winner.

Compared to other sports, handball has very liberal substitution rules. Players can come in and out of the field at any time through the "substitution area", but only after the original player has completely left the field can the substitute player enter the field. Otherwise, it will be considered an illegal substitution and may be penalized with a two-minute penalty (equivalent to one less player in the game).

This design allows for flexibility in game strategy and allows coaches to quickly adjust their lineups according to the conditions on the field.

Types of Handball Fouls

Handball is a physically demanding sport, but there are strict rules governing fouls. Common types of fouls include:

  • Pushing, pulling, hitting an opponent
  • Improperly blocking a pass or interfering with a shot
  • Deliberately delaying the pace of the game
  • Technical fouls such as hand ball overtime and kicking the ball.

Minor offenses result in a free kick; serious offenses may result in a yellow card, a two-minute penalty, or even a red card. A player who accumulates three two-minute penalties will be ejected from the game.

Goalkeepers have a high degree of defensive freedom in the penalty area, but are subject to the same rules of possession and defense as other players once they leave the penalty area.

Number of Handball Players

In addition to the regular Sevens, there are also derivatives such as Three-Person Handball and Beach Handball. Seven-a-side is the standard format for Olympic and international tournaments, and there are separate tournaments for each gender and age group.

Handball is a fast-paced game that requires a high level of fitness and teamwork. Many professional teams have dedicated tactical coaches and fitness trainers to ensure that players maintain their rhythm and focus during high-pressure matches.

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For sports enthusiasts who want to participate in team sports and like fast-paced challenges, handball is definitely a worthwhile choice, let us accompany you to create both theExercise with style and peace of mind!

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