(Team) Handball happens to be the fastest and most exiting sport in the world. Handball is basically a non-brutal contact sport, but non-brutal varies with the strength and class of the player.
The player must be very familiar with the handball court. It is important to know what the lines mean and what are the dimensions of the court. This helps the player to feel comfortable during the game and to be always in the right position when he/she is needed.

The court

The court is 40 by 20 m (two basketball courts) and features 2 by 3 goals at each end. Each goal is surrounded by a 6m-goal area, which is the D (defence). Only the goalkeeper can enter the D. another arc, 9m from the posts, lies outside the goal line. This is the free throw line. If a foul is given to the attack team, the game starts from the free-throw line. The short line between the free throw line and the 6m line is the penalty mark. (7m in front of the goals). There is also a halfway line with a centre dot for the restart.

The Game

The winner is who scores more goals in 60 minutes, divided into 2 half times of 30 minutes. There is also a 10-minute break in between the two halves. A match is lead by two referees, each of whom can punish players with a warning (yellow card- not more than three per team), a disqualification (red card- another player can go into the field after two minutes) or an exclusion (the team is one player less until the end of the match). There are also a timekeeper, a scorekeeper, and another official.

The game starts from the centre line and every time a goal is scored the game starts from the centre line as well.
No time wasting- there is no shot clock, but if the referees think you haven't been trying to score then you'll lose the ball (whether after 10 seconds or 2 minutes).
If the ball goes out over the side lines, then the opponent get possession of the ball.

The Team

There are 12 players on each team, 2 goalkeepers and 10 field players. There is one goalkeeper and a maximum of 6 field players on the court at a time. Substitutions can occur anytime, as long as the player on court is out before the other player enters. The substitution must be carried out between the substitution line and the centre line.

Play the ball

Only the goalkeeper while in his circle is allowed to touch the ball with his whole body, all other players are only allowed to throw the ball with their hands.

The ball playing rules are in 3's. 3 steps with the ball but no pivoting like basketball. A player cannot hold the ball for more than 3 seconds, and then he must tip the ball to the ground, throw the ball to another player or into the goal.

Dribbling is allowed (but slows down the ball, passing is better). The ball must be patted down not carried like in basketball. No double dribble- the sequence of events with the ball can be: catch (ball under your control), 3 steps, dribble, catch, 3 steps then either pass or shoot.

Theoretically one can only use his torso to block the path of any player. If you use your arms to push or grab the player then it is a free throw to the attack.

When an opponent is awarded a free throw the defender must be 3m away (hence the 9m line).
If the defender fouls you while the attacker is making a clear attempt at goal then a 7m throw is awarded (penalty). That's just the penalty taker and the keeper, no defenders. The attacker must plant one foot behind the 7m line, wait for the whistle, and has up to three seconds to shoot. If the attacker lifts the panted foot (the forward one), the penalty is not counted and if the panted foot is moved onto or over the 7m line then it is not counted. If it bounce off the goal posts then it is still in play.

The attacker may shoot in the air above the goal area, but must shoot before landing. Casual entry into the goal area is OK. The rule only applies if you are seen to gain some advantage by entry into the goal area. No field player is allowed to reach the goal, but they are allowed to jump into the D-shaped circle, if they are leaving the ball at once after the jump.

Foul throws

Attacking fouls- no bargeing or head ducking (this will cause the referee to whistle and possession is changed). The use of the elbow or palming off is not permitted. All fouls in attack are taken from the 9m-line. If a clear chance of scoring is illegally obstructed a penalty shot is given. Other fouls are taken from the spot where the foul was commited.