EUROPEAN HANDBALL

History
Team Handball originated in Europe in the1900s and recognizes over 140 countries as members of the International handball Federation (IHF). Handball first appeared in the Olympics in the 1936 Berlin Games as an outdoor sport, with 11 players on a side. It was not played again at the Olympic games until 1972, where it was played indoors with 7 players on each side. Women’s handball was added to the Olympic Games in 1976.  
Simplified Rules of the Game
1. Object of the Game
Handball combines the elements of soccer and basketball, as six players (and 1 goalie) move the ball down a floor that is larger than a basketball court and try to score by throwing the ball past a goalkeeper into the net. A successful scoring attempt results in the award of a single point. Typical final scores in this action-packed game run in the mid twenties. 
A regulation game is played in 30 minute halves with one team timeout per half. A coin toss determines which team starts the game with a throw-off. The clock stops only for team timeouts, injuries, and at the referee’s discretion.    
2.  Field of Play

The court is slightly larger than a basketball court.  Regulation size is 20x40 meters (65’7" x 131’ 3").  All court lines are referred to by their measurement in meters. 

The most significant line on the court is the 6-meter line or goal area line. Only the goalie is allowed inside the goal area. Players may jump into the goal area if they release the ball before landing in the area. The 9-meter line, or free throw line, is used for minor penalties, while the 7-meter line, or penalty line, is used for penalty shots, much like penalty kicks in soccer.
 A versatile game, team handball can be played indoors in the gym, outdoors on the grass, on a paved area or on the beach.
3. The Goal
An official size goal measures 2 meters high (6’7") and three meters wide (9’10"). The net is one meter deep at the base of the goal.
4. The Ball
A handball is made of leather and is about the size of a large cantaloupe. It varies in size and weight according to the group playing. The ball for men weighs 15-17 oz. and is 23-24" in circumference. Women and juniors use a smaller ball weighing 12-14 oz. and 21-22" in circumference. Youth use smaller varieties of balls for mini-handball.
5.  Teams
A game is played between two teams. Seven players on each team are allowed on the court at the same time (6 court players and 1 goalie).  Unlimited substitution is allowed. Substitutes may enter the game at any time through their own substitution area as long as the players they are replacing have left the court.
6. Playing the ball
Players are allowed to:

• Dribble the ball for an unlimited amount of time.
• Run with the ball for up to three steps before and after dribbles.
• Hold the ball without moving for three seconds.       

Players are not allowed to:

• Endanger an opponent with the ball. 
• Pull, hit, or punch the ball out of the hands of an opponent. 
• Contact the ball below the knees 

7.  Penalties
Free-Throw – for a minor foul or violation, a free throw is awarded to the opponents at the exact spot it took place. If the foul occurs between the goal area line and the 9 meter line, the throw is taken from the nearest point outside the 9-meter line. All players on the team taking a free-throw must be outside the 9-meter line. Opponents must be 3 meters away from the ball when the throw is taken.
 7-Meter Penalty Shot is awarded when
* A foul destroys a clear chance to score a goal
* The goalie carries the ball back into the goalie area
* A court player intentionally plays the ball to his or her own goalie in the goal area and the goalie touches the ball

All players must be outside the free-throw line when the throw is taken. The player taking the throw has 3 seconds to shoot after the referee whistles. Any player may take the 7-meter throw. 
Progressive Punishments
These are fouls that require more punishment than just a free-throw. "Actions" directed mainly at the opponent and not the ball are punished progressively (actions consist of reaching around, holding, pushing, hitting, tripping, or jumping into opponent).
* Warnings (yellow card) – referee gives only one warning to a player for rule violations and a total of 3 to a team. Exceeding limits results in a 2-minute suspension.
* 2-minute suspension – Awarded for serious or repeated rule violations, unsportsmanlike conduct and illegal substitution.  
* Disqualification (red card) – awarded after three 2-minute suspensions have been issued; the disqualified player must leave both the court and bench but the team may replace the player after the 2-minute suspension expires.
* Exclusion is awarded for assault; the excluded player’s team continues short one player for the rest of the game.

Some Important Strategies to Consider:
Offensive Strategy:

1. Ball handling is the most important aspect of the game. Quick, accurate passes are essential to a successful offensive attack.
2. Players should maintain proper court spacing so that each player may be an offensive threat.
3. Players should constantly be cutting towards the goal with or without the ball. This will force the defense to respect all players on the court and create more scoring opportunities.
4. Players should move the ball quickly with a minimum of dribbling.  Scoring opportunities develop when sharp, quick passes are used and the defense does not have time to adjust to new offensive positions.
5. Shooting should not be forced. If a player drives for a shot and is blocked by the defense, he should pass to a teammate and a new offensive threat should be initiated.

Defensive Strategy:

1. The individual defensive player must cover the player in his zone and at the same time be aware of opposing players cutting towards one’s zone.
2. An offensive player becomes a threat when in a position to shoot the ball or when cutting quickly prior to receiving a pass.
3. Back court players moving in for the jump shot must be checked the nine-meter line.
4. A defender should not leave his feet as this makes one vulnerable to a fake by an opponent who can effectively utilize the three steps and dribble.
5. The defender should position oneself between his opponent and the goal. Once an offensive player gets around the defender, any interference from behind will likely result in a penalty shot.
6. In defending against a shooter, a defensive player should attempt to knock the offensive player off balance by using one’s right hand to bump the attacker’s left hip and at the same time use one’s lift hand to block the ball or the shooting hand of the attacker.