Essential Rules and Regulations of Handball for School Players
In the past few years, one of the few sports to have become massively popular amongst the youth has been handball. Thanks to the exciting and fast-paced nature of the gameplay, youngsters have started to enjoy this sport, whose roots can be traced back to the mediaeval ages.
Because one can easily play handball indoors, many students look forward to playing it at the school gyms and playgrounds. Amidst the growing enthusiasm for handball, events like the SFA Championship Delhi 2024 have emerged as valuable platforms for young athletes. Beyond the school courts, championships like these extend opportunities for students from all over Delhi to participate, showcasing their talents and honing their skills. These events foster healthy competition and also provide exposure to aspirants. But to ensure safe and professional gameplay, students must be well-versed in school handball rules.
So, before you head out to the courts to have a quick match of handball, let’s get a better idea of the rules of handball for schools.
A brief history of Handball
The earliest traces of a game with rules similar to handball can be found in Greece. Although detailed textual references are rare, few stone carvings describe a ball game played with hands to pass the time.
More evidence of a similar game can also be found in ancient Rome. The Roman women played a game with a similar concept called Expulsim Ludere. As the Roman conquest spread through Europe, so did the idea of handball.
Some other record of this kind of game exists in mediaeval France and among the Inuits of Greenland. These records are bonafide proof that people have been playing the game of handball for hundreds of years.
However, modern handball was invented in the late 19th Century in Denmark. In time, countries like Denmark, Germany, Norway and Sweden codified the contemporary game of Handball.
The first set of rules was published by a Danish gold medallist named Holger Nielsen in 1906. But in 1917, the modern game rules were published by Max Heiser, Karl Schelenz, and Erich Konigh in Berlin, Germany.
With new rules and regulations, handball gained more popularity and became prevalent in most parts of Europe.
Handball was first included in the Olympics in 1936 but did not appear in the following years. However, in 1972, handball was reintroduced to the Olympics, and it remained a constant ever since. The Olympics were one of the reasons why handball became a staple school sport in all of Europe.
The objective of handball
Traditionally, handball is played indoors on handball courts. However, certain game variations, like beach handball and field handball, are also prevalent. The court is divided from the middle, with two goalposts on either side.
The main objective is for either team to score more goals than their opponent within an hour. Due to the small size of the handball ground and the short game duration, the matches are electrifying, fast-paced, and high-scoring.
Playing field
According to the primary school handball rules, the handball court should be 40m long and 20m wide, almost the size of two basketball courts.
A semi-circular area of radius 6m is made around the two goals called the Goal area. Similarly, a wider dashed semi-circular line of radius 9m is also created near the goal, called the Free-throw line.
Furthermore, a long line divides the court from the middle. The centre point of this line is used as the restart point whenever any team scores a goal. There is also a mark 7m away from the goal; according to school handball rules, this is where a penalty shootout should be taken from.
Equipment required
The heart and soul of a handball match is, you guessed it, the ball. The ball used for this sport can be made out of synthetic material or leather. The ball should be big enough to fit in the player’s hand.
Based on the difference in palm sizes of students of different age groups, the rules of handball for schools have directed three different circumferences of the ball. Let us have a better look at the difference in circumference with the help of a table:
Handball is a game where players are supposed to run around and jump a lot over the course of 60 minutes. Hence, appropriate sports attire is recommended. Proper sports attire includes good shoes, arm and ankle sleeves, and a comfortable jersey.
While this is not compulsory, students can wear their gym uniforms or school jerseys to ensure that there are no hindrances during the match. Good-quality sports attire can prove detrimental to the performance of the handball player.
Team composition and game length
According to the handball game rules, a team comprises seven players, six outfield players and one goalkeeper. The unit can also have seven more substitute players; these players can be substituted with the active ones without asking for permission from the referee.
The goalkeeper has the job of stopping all the incoming attempts by the opponent to score a goal. Meanwhile, the outfield players will have to pass the ball to each other and try to score as many goals as possible in the allotted time.
Four officials also oversee a handball match, including two referees, one scorekeeper, and one timekeeper. The referees are positioned diagonally across the court, each observing either the goal line or the court line. Based on their positions, a referee can be called a goal referee or court referee.
The scorekeeper and timekeeper are responsible for supporting the referees by attending to formal things like keeping track of goals, suspensions and game timings.
An official handball game lasts an hour, divided into two halves of 30 minutes each, with a 10-minute break. However, in the case of under-16 matches, the two halves are cut down to 25 minutes each with 10 minutes of half-time. The matches for kids aged 8 to 12 years have two halves of only 20 minutes, with 10 minutes of half-time.
If none of the teams scores any goals or both score an equal number of goals by the end of the designated game time, the match can be declared a tie.
However, if deciding on the winner is absolutely necessary, there is an overtime provision. The overtime can be played at most twice and five minutes each. A penalty shootout decides the match’s fate if the scores are still level.
School handball rules
The handball rules and regulations can be segmented into different categories to make it easier for you to follow along.
1. Starting off the game
Before the match begins, players are supposed to be in a formation on their respective sides. This formation can depend upon their strategy, whether they want to be aggressive or defensive. No player, except the goalie, is allowed inside the goal range.
The game begins with a coin toss, the winner of which decides who will get to take the first shot. If your team wins the toss, the player at the centre will hold possession of the ball and throw it towards any of their teammates to start the match.
2. Ball-handling rules
The most important rules of handball for school are related to the ball-handling rules. These unique rules are the sole reason that differentiates handball from other ball sports.
The most critical ball-playing rule is the three-step rule. In a handball match, the players can take up to three steps without passing or bouncing the ball. If someone takes more than three steps without dribbling or rebounding, then a foul may be called by the match referee.
Like the previous rule, a player should not hold the ball for over three seconds. This means the player must pass or dribble the ball at least once every three seconds to possess the ball legally.
The three-second and three-step rules force the players to keep the ball in continuous action. Hence, the game evolves into an action-packed, thrilling 60-minute spectacle, restricting excessive ball possession and stagnant gameplay.
3. Goalkeeper rules and responsibilities
Moreover, no player, except the goalkeeper, is allowed to kick the ball. A player is legally entitled to pass, shoot or dribble the ball with their hands. However, other body parts, like the chest, head, or back, can be used to defend. In a nutshell, contact with the ball below the knee is prohibited.
While the goalkeeper can contact the ball below the knee, that is only to save a goal. The goalkeeper cannot kick or make contact with the ball and his knee during any other point of the match.
A goalkeeper can also leave the goal area at any point in the match, but they should not do it while being in control of the ball. The referee can call a foul if a goalkeeper walks out of the goal region while controlling the ball.
Furthermore, a player is supposed to possess the ball with the intent of scoring a goal. If the referee notices that a player is wasting time by not letting go of the ball on purpose, they can make the player lose possession of it.
Finally, if a ball goes out of bounds, then a throw-in is awarded. The thrower should then ensure that one of their feet is on the sideline before executing the throw. The opposing players must stay at least 3m away during a throw-in.
4. Goal-scoring rules
Goals are the most important aspects of a handball match since their count decides the winning team. Therefore, it is essential to be aware of the various handball game rules related to scoring goals.
A goal is scored when the ball travels entirely past the black line within the goal. Once a goal is scored, the play resumes and the possession of the ball goes to the team that did not score the goal.
The only type of player allowed in the goal area is the goalkeeper. The goal area is 6m wide, so the other outfield players cannot be in contact with that region. The attacker can, however, jump up in the air and shoot for a goal while being inside the goal region. But the attacking player must be careful to shoot the ball before landing their feet on the floor.
5. Fouls
It is essential to be aware of the handball rules and regulations because every time players break the rules, they are punished with a foul and a yellow card. If someone violates the rules four times, they are given a red card and removed from the playing seven.
Handball is a non-brutal sport. Hence, physically endangering the player can result in fouls or severe punishments. Actions like using your arm to push or grab any player, swiping the defender’s hands off to get past them, or using your arms to block any player’s path can lead to a foul.
A goalkeeper can also get a foul if they walk out of the goal region while possessing the ball. Similarly, if another player walks inside the goal region while controlling the ball, they can also be charged with a foul.
6. Punishments
Not all fouls can cause punishments. Some fouls are just warnings, a gentle reminder to abide by the rules. But when multiple occurrences of rule breach or grave misconduct occur, the referee can dish out more severe punishments. This is why being aware of the school handball rules is essential.
The punishments for breach of handball game rules are given in the following ways:
- A warning (Yellow card)
- 2-minute suspension
- Disqualification (With a substitute replacement allowed after two minutes)
- Exclusion (No replacement)
Simple fouls, like blocking with arms or controlling the opponent, can lead to warnings. The referee can give three warnings before issuing a 2-minute suspension.
If the fouls keep occurring even after two 2-minute suspensions, then a stricter disqualification or expulsion can be given to the player.
Most fouls typically come with an awarding of a free throw to the opposing team. But this free throw should be executed from the point of infringement in the field.
Direct exclusion or disqualification can only be done when things get physical. In the case of brutal control, fights amongst the players, or even physical fights between the player and the referee, can lead to direct disqualification or exclusion.
Practice Drills for Learning and Improving Skills
Now that you know the rules, you can work on getting better at actually playing the game. To improve their skills, the students can perform the following drills:
Ball control:
- Bounce the ball around the body. Try to alternate between your hands while focusing less on the dominant one.
- Try to bounce the ball across your legs to make an 8-shape.
- Sit on a bench or a lower ground and bounce the balls. Make sure to alternate between low and high bounces and keep the ball in control without standing up.
Ball Shooting activity:
- Divide into teams of two and form a queue. Keep two tables with various pawns and cones 5m apart from each team.
- The goal of the activity is to shoot your ball and knock down as many objects as possible within a time limit.
- Each team member gets one shot at a time, and they have to instantly go to the back of the line once they have played their part.
- Once the time is up, the team that topples more objects wins.
Teamwork activity:
- Divide the teams into two groups of attackers and defenders.
- The coach will toss the ball to the defender to start the activity.
- The defenders will switch to offence and try to score a goal on the other side.
- Once there is an attempt to shoot, and the ball is in possession of the opposite side, the one in the offence will become the defender and try to stop the opposition from scoring.
- The game should be fast-paced and only last 10 minutes. The team with the most goals wins.
Tips for instructors:
- Always begin the drills and activity with a warm-up to reduce the chances of injury.
- Focus on technique and form even during team-building exercises.
- Note the strengths and weaknesses of each player and construct specialised exercises for them. A player with weak shoots should be asked to engage in strength-building practices, like weights and push-ups.
- Foster communication and teamwork during the activity.
Safety Considerations
Most young school players focus solely on high-intensity activities to improve their game on the court. However, you must understand that safety and proper rest are equally important.
Here are some extra steps you must include in your training to ensure your safety while also improving your game:
- Conduct warm-up and cool-down exercises: Warm-up exercises allow your body to gear up for the upcoming activity by heating your muscles and allowing more blood flow. Meanwhile, cool-down exercises let your body relax and transition into a resting phase.
- Consult a dietician: Discuss your daily activities and nutritional requirements for a proper diet. Follow this diet and make sure that you are meeting the right amount of nutrient requirements of your body. Additionally, make sure to keep yourself hydrated.
- Take proper rest: A grown adult requires at least 8 hours of sleep to function optimally during the day. Do not overstrain yourself and divide your daily goals so that you get enough time to rest and let your body heal.
Apart from these off-court practices, follow the correct safety protocol when playing Handball. Wear proper shin guards, mouth guards, arm sleeves and elbow sleeves to protect yourself from injuries.
Moreover, it is also essential for players to either tape over or remove any ornament, like rings, amulets, bracelets, and so on, before playing. Since the game is so fast-paced, bumps and physical contact are expected. These kinds of accessories might pose a severe threat of injuries to other players.
Encouraging Participation and Sportsmanship
Handball is a fast-growing sport that has taken the youth by storm. Its fast-paced gameplay and electrifying movements push you to outperform your physical limits and foster an environment of healthy competition and positivity.
By complying with school handball rules, a student can better understand the game, marvel at good gameplay, and improve their skills to match the calibre of professional players.
To foster a positive handball culture within the school, instructors can take the following steps:
- Integrate the passive values of sportsmanship, cooperation, and team spirit in daily post-match discussions. Emphasise how a positive sports environment can sculpt a good personality.
- Highlight examples to bring out those values. Talk about a good display of sportsmanship within any school match or in international events. Award positive sportsmanship over winning.
- Discuss weaknesses but celebrate the effort. Do not discourage a team for their failures; make them understand that learning from failures creates future winners.
- Develop a culture of encouragement. Urge other students to try playing handball and build their interest in the game by incorporating fun activities.
In a nutshell
Handball’s growing popularity is due to its exciting gameplay and straightforward rules. Once you review the practices, gather your friends and engage in a quick handball match. The electrifying pace and quick decisions are bound to cause an adrenaline rush.
