Euro Handball Rules

THE TEAM: Only five (5) players allowed on the field at any one time. There must be a minimum of two (2) members of either gender on the court at all times for the mixed competition. Scissors, Paper, Rock will determine who starts the half. Teams will swap sides at half time.

WINNING TEAM: The winner is the team with the greater number of points at the end of the game. A draw will be awarded if both teams have an equal amount of goals.

DURATION OF THE GAME: The game is played as two (2) 18 min halves with a few minutes break at half time.  

SUBSTITUTIONS: Unlimited substitutions are allowed as long as players are rotated into the serving position. Players must notify the staff when substitutions are happening.

COURT BOUNDARIES: Handball 5s court is usually 30m x 15m. The goal area (goal circle) is around 4.9m.  No one except the goalie can stand in the goal area. Players may jump into the area if the ball is released before landing in the area. Goals are 3m wide X 2m high.

STARTING THE GAME - THROW OFF: Each half of the match begins with a throw off. Each team must be the in their 3rd. Following the Event Hosts whistle, the ball is passed from centre court to a team mate and play begins. Throw-off’s are repeated after every goal and after half time. To avoid time wasting, after a goal the throw off can be taken as soon as the referee blows the whistle, however the whistle can’t restart play until the attacking team has all their players in their defensive third.

SCORING: A goal is awarded when the entire ball crosses the goal line inside the goal. A goal can be scored from any throw except a goal throw from keeper.

PLAYING WITH THE BALL: A player can: Run with the ball up to 3 steps & hold the ball for up to 3 seconds. A player can also dribble the ball, however once they stop dribbling, cannot start again (this is called a double dribble). A player can not dribble the ball through his/her legs and must dribble the ball with a flat hand (not like in Basketball).

DEFENDING: Euro Handball 5s is a non-contact sport. A foul will be called if a defender or attacker initiates contact. Players are not allowed;

  • To endanger an opponent with ball.
  • To pull, hit or punch the ball out of the hands of an opponent
  • To contact the ball below the hips
  • To dive on the floor for a rolling or stationary ball
  • A penalty shot is awarded when contact is made to a player shooting at goal

THROW IN’S: A throw-in is awarded when the ball goes out of bounds on the sidelines or when the ball is last touched by a defensive player and goes out of bounds over the endline. The throw-in is taken from the spot where the ball crossed the side line or from the closest corner if crossed the endline. When throwing the ball back in the player must have one foot on the line and the defenders must be 3 metres away.

GOAL THROW IN: A goal throw is awarded to the keeper when either, the ball rebounds off the goalkeeper over the endline or the ball is thrown over the endline by the attacking team. A throw in will also take place if the ball makes contact with the roof- the team who did throw the ball takes the throw in.

BALL UP: A ball up is awarded when either; there is a simultaneous infringement of the rules or when 2 players take possession of the ball simultaneously. The Event Host throws the ball up vertically between 2 players, the jumping players may grab the ball or tap it to a teammate. All other players must be 3 metres away from the throw. The Event Host throw is always taken at centre court.

FREE THROW: For a minor foul or violation, a free-throw is awarded to the opponent at the exact spot it took place. However if the foul occurs in the attacking third the free-throw is taken from 1/3 line, in this scenario all attacking players must stand behind the line.  Defending players must be 2 at least 3 metres away. The thrower must keep one foot in contact with the floor, then pass or shoot.

PENALTY THROW: The penalty throw is taken 2 metres from the top of the goal circle. The penalty shot is awarded when:

  •  A foul destroys a clear chance to score
  •  The goalie carries the ball back into his or her own goal circle
  •  A court player intentionally plays the ball to his or her own goalie in the goal area and the goalie touches the ball
  •  A defensive player enters his or her goal area to gain an advantage over an attacking player in possession of 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’s whistle.

PASSBACK: A player can only pass back to the goalkeeper when the GK is outside the goal area.

FAIRPLAY SYSTEM each league night you will have an Event Host onsite, but these guys are not official referees. Urban Rec is proud to be the only non-competitive league which practices fair play, meaning you should be making your own calls on the game. The referee will be there to make the calls not made by individuals, keep time, and help guide the games within the game play rules. The Urban Rec Referee has the final say on any issue that cannot be self-resolved.

SPORTSMANSHIP: If you are seen to be rude or not playing within the respect of the rules you will be asked to sub, and warned by one of our Rep’s if after two times you do not show your sportsmanship, you will be asked to leave the field, and an assessment will be made if you can play again. We do not tolerate idiots. Play fair.