Intramural European Handball Rules

Team Composition

Roster Size: minimum 7 people, maximum 10 people
No more than 3 extramural and/or varsity players per team
A maximum of 7 players on the court—a goalkeeper and 6 outfield players
Teams must have at least 2 players of each gender on the court at all times
A game may not proceed with less than 6 players
- If the minimum number of players are not present, the team will default
- An exception can be made if an injury occurs during a game

Match Procedures

Please be in the gym and ready to participate at least 10 minutes before your first game.
- If your team is not on the court and ready to play by 5 minutes after your start time, it is an automatic forfeit against you for the entire game.
- A 24-hour notice is a requirement if your team will be missing from the game(s).
- Without any notice your team will face a forfeit, and the opposing team will win the match.
Games will consist of two, 20-minute run time halves with a 5-minute halftime
Substitutions can be made at any time
The first half begins with a jump ball by the referee similar to the format of a basketball game
Defaults will result in a score of 10-0
If both teams default, it will result in a score of 0-0

Rules

After the jump ball the player who attains the ball will win possession for their team
Teams must make a conscious effort to move the ball up the court and try to score
If a team does not attempt to advance the ball or shoot, this is ‘passive play’ and the ball is rewarded to the other team
The ball can be advanced up or down the court by passing or taking 3 steps with the ball
Players cannot hold the ball for longer than 3 seconds
If a player holds a ball for longer than 3 seconds or takes more than 3 steps, the ball will be rewarded to the opposing team at half or their goalkeeper depending on the location of the ball
Players shoot by throwing the ball into the opposing team’s net
Players cannot kick the ball
Players must keep the ball and themselves within the boundary lines when they have possession
If the ball or player with the ball goes beyond the boundary line, the ball will be rewarded to the opposing team and inbounded from the location it went out
If at any time the ball lands on the ground it is considered live and both teams may try to attain possession
- In the event of two opposing players trying to attain possession at the same time, the referee will reward possession to the player that the referee deems to have had possession first. If the referee cannot determine first possession, a jump ball will occur at the spot of the ball
There is a goalkeeper’s crease that is represented by the 3-point basketball line
Offensive players are not allowed to step into the defending goalkeepers crease
Offensive players are allowed to jump into the defending goalkeepers crease to shoot or pass. The jump must begin on the outside of the crease and the ball must be released prior to the player landing in the crease
Goalkeepers can move outside of their crease
If an offensive player steps into the opposing team’s crease, the ball is rewarded to the goalkeeper
If a defensive player (besides the goalie) steps into the defensive team’s crease, the ball will remain with the offensive team at half court
- If this is done in the act of shooting, a penalty shot will be rewarded to the offensive team
Defenders may try to block the opposing team from passing to one another, but may not make contact or try to swat the ball while it is in the offensive player’s hand
While defending, some incidental conduct is expected, but excessive contact will result in a foul at the referees’ discretion. Examples of excessive contact include jumping into or pushing an opposing player
Common foul – when a defensive player makes excessive contact on an offensive player who is passing, holding, or running with the ball
- The player who was fouled will be rewarded with possession at mid court
Shooting foul – when a player is fouled during the act of shooting
- The player who was fouled will receive a penalty shot
Offensive foul – when an offensive player pushes off, drops their shoulder or charges (e.g., basketball a charge) into the defender
- The defensive goalie will be rewarded the ball
Off-the-ball-fouls – when there is excessive contact between two players away from the ball that is not considered incidental
- The ball will be rewarded to the goalie of the team that did not commit the offence either
Technical fouls – unsportsmanlike conduct towards and player or referee
- The first technical foul results in a penalty shot for the opposing team
- The second technical foul (to the same player) will result in that player being removed for the remainder of the game, and a penalty shot for the opposing team
- Additional disciplinary action may be taken by the league
A penalty shot is a breakaway shot on goal where the shooter begins at half court. The remaining players must line up at half court and after the shot is taken the ball is live. The goalies crease remains in play during a penalty shot

Additional Notes

Any abusive language toward officials, players, and/or intramural staff WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. Any profanity or degrading of the official will result in a technical foul.
- Continued verbal harassment and questioning of officials can result in a second technical foul and expulsion from the game
- Anyone expelled from the game will be expected to be out of sight and sound before the game restarts
- Failure to comply results in forfeiture of the game for the entire team.
All referee’s decisions are final
Please be respectful of other both on and off the court. Foul language will not be tolerated
Any team/individual infractions will be dealt with in accordance with the Intramural Code of Conduct
Most importantly, this is a recreation league, so have fun!