International Handball Federation
Beach Handball
Rules of the game
The IHF Signals
Clarifications to the rules of the game
Substitution Area Regulations
Table of contents Page
Playing rules, IHF signals, Clarifications and Substitution area regulations.
Foreword
Rule 1 – The Playing court
Rule 2 – The Start of the Game, Playing time, Final Signal,
Time-Out and Team Time-Out.
Rule 3 – The Ball
Rule 4 – The Team, Substitutions, Equipment.
Rule 5 – The Goalkeeper
Rule 6 – The Goal Area
Rule 7 – Playing the Ball, Passive Play
Rule 8 – Fouls and Unsportmanslike Conduct
Rule 9 -- Scoring
Rule 10 – The Referee-Throw
Rule 11 – The Throw-In
Rule 12 – The Goalkeeper-Throw
Rule 13 – The Free-Throw
Rule 14 – The 6-m-Throw
Rule 15 – General Instructions for the Execution of the Throws
(Referee-Throw, Throw-In, Goalkeeper-Throw, Free-Throw
and 6-m-Throw)
Rule 16 – The Punishments
Rule 17 – The Referees
Rule 18 – The Time-Keeper and the Score-Keeper
The IHF Signals
Clarifications to the rules of the game
Substitution Area Regulations
Foreword
These Rules of the Game will take effect on 09 March 2002.
For the sake of simplicity, this rule book generally uses the male form of words with respect to female and male players, officials, referees, and other persons.
However, the rules apply equally to female and male participants, except Rule 3 ( the size of the ball)
According to the Philosophy of Beach Handball (attractiveness of the game – two teams as much as possible with the same amount of players), the players as individuals have to be punished instead of the team in case of fouls or unsportmanslike conduct.
<< The Philosophy of Beach Handball is based on the Principles of „Fair Play“ – Every decision has to be taken in accordance with these principles >>
Rule 1 PLAYING COURT
1:1 The playing court (diagram 1) is a 27 meters long and 12 meters wide rectangle, consisting of a playing area and two goal areas.
The surface of the playing court must consist of a layer of sand that is at least 40cm deep.
The characteristics of the playing court must not be altered during the game in such a way that one team gains an advantage.
There should be a safety zone with a width of about 3 meters surrounding the playing court.
1:2 The playing area is 15 meters long and 12 meters wide. The boundary lines have to be marked by an elastic, coloured band or rope, with a width of up to 8 cm.
1:3 All lines on the court are fully part of the area that they enclose.
The longer boundary lines are called side lines, and the shorter ones are called the
goal lines.(between the goal posts) or outer goal lines (on either side of the goal)
The goal
1:4 A goal is placed in the center of each (outer) goal line. It has an interior width of 3 meters and a height of 2 meters. (Diagram 2a and 2b) The goals must be firmly anchored in the sand. The anchors have to be protected for safety reasons.
The goal posts are joined by a horizontal crossbar. The rear side of the goal posts shall be in line with the rear edge of the goal line. The goal posts and the crossbar must have an 8 cm square cross-section. On the three sides which are visible from the court they must be painted in bands of two contrasting colors, which also contrast clearly with the background.
The goals must have a net, that should be attached in such a way that a ball thrown into the goal normally remains in it.
Goal area
1:5 In front of each goal there is a goal area (Rule 6). The goal area is defined by the goal-area line, which is created as follows: A band or
rope is attached parallel to the (outer) goal line and 6 meters away from it.
The table of the timekeeper and scorekeeper.
1:6 The table of the timekeeper and scorekeeper shall have room for 3 to 4 persons and is placed in the middle of a sideline and at least 3 meters outside of it.
The table of the timekeeper and scorekeeper has to be placed in such a way that the timekeeper/scorekeeper can see the substitution areas.
Substitution areas
1:7 The substitution area for the court players is 15 meters long and about 3 meters wide. The substitution areas are situated on each side of the playing area outside the side lines
1:8 a) The goalkeepers must leave the court over the side line of the substitution area or over the side line of their own team‘s goal area from the side of their own team’s substitution area. (4:13, 5:12)
b) The goalkeepers must enter the court over the side line of their own team‘s goal area from the side of their own team’s substitution area. (4:13, 5:12).
Diagram 1: The Playing Court
Diagram 2a: The goal
Diagrama 2b: The goal -- seen from the side
Rule 2 THE START OF THE GAME, PLAYING TIME, FINAL SIGNAL, TIME-OUT AND TEAM TIME-OUT
The start of the game
2:1 Before the match the referees undertake a coin toss to determine the choice of ends and substitution areas.
The winning team shall then choose either one of the ends of the court or the respective side of the substitution area. The second team makes its choice in accordance with the first team‘s decision.
After the half-time the teams change ends. They do not change the substitution areas.
2:2 Each half of the game, and also the “Golden Goal,“ begins with a referee-throw (10:1-2), after a whistle signal from the referees (2:5).
2:3 The court players position themselves anywhere in the playing area..
Playing time
2:4 The game consists of two halves, which are scored separately. Each half lasts 10 minutes (but see Rule 2:6, 2:8 and 4:2). The half-time break lasts 5 minutes.
2:5 The playing time (execution of Referee-throw and start of the clock). begins with a referee‘s whistle.
2:6 If the score is even at the end of a half, the „Golden Goal“ is used, (9:7). Play restarts with a referee-throw. (Rule 10)
The winner of each half is awarded one point.
2:7 If both halves are won by the same team, this team is the overall winner, with the score 2:0.
2:8 If each team wins a half the result is a tie. As there must always be a winner, the “Shoot-out“ (“One player against the goalkeeper“) is used. (Rule 9)
The final signal
2:9 The playing time ends with the automatic final signal from the public clock or from the timekeeper. If no such signal comes, the referee whistles to indicate that the playing time is over (17:10, 18:1, 18:2).
Comment:
If a public clock with an automatic signal is not available, the timekeeper shall use a table clock or a stopwatch and end the game with a final signal. (18:2).
If a public clock is used, it should, if possible, be set to run from 10 to 0 to facilitate the spectators.
2:10 Infractions and unsportmanslike conduct that take place before or simultaneously with the final signal (for halftime or end of game) are to be punished, also if this cannot be done until after the signal. The referees end the game only after the necessary free-throw or 6-meter-throw has been taken and its immediate result has been established. (Clarification 3.)
2:11 The throw must be retaken, if the final signal (for half-time or end of game) sounds precisely when a free-throw or a 6-meter-throw is being executed or when the ball is already in the air. The immediate result of the retaken throw is to be established before the referees end the game.
2:12 Players and team officials remain subject to personal punishment for infractions or unsportmanslike conduct which take place during the execution of a free-throw or 6-meter-throw in the circumstances as described in Rules 2:10-11. An infractionduring the execution of such a throw cannot, however, lead to a free-throw in theopposite direction.
2:13 If the referees determine that the timekeeper has given the final signal (for half-time or end of game) too early, they must keep the players on the court and play the remaining time.
The team that was in possession of the ball at the time of the premature signal will remain in possession when the game resumes. If the ball was out of play, then the game is restarted with a throw that corresponds to the situation. If the ball was in play, then the game is restarted with a free-throw in accordance with Rule 13:4 a-b.
If the first half of a game has been terminated too late, the second half must be shortened correspondingly. If the second half has been terminated too late, then the referees are no longer in a position to change anything.
Time-out
2:14 The referees decide when and for how long the playing time is to be interrupted. („Time-out“).
In the following situations, a time-out is obligatory:
a. Disqualification or exclusion
b. 6-meter-throw
c. Team-Time-out,
d. A whistle signal from the timekeeper or the technical delegate,
e. Consultations between the referees in accordance with Rule 17:9
f. A suspension of an official
Apart from the above indicated situations, where a time-out is obligatory, the referees are expected to use their judgement regarding the need for time-outs also in other situations. Some typical situations where time-outs are not obligatory but nevertheless tend to be given in normal circumstances are:
a) A player seems to be injured,
b) A team is clearly wasting time, e.g. when the team is delaying the execution of a formal throw, when a player is throwing the ball away or not releasing it, or when a player leaves the court too slowly after a suspension.
c) A faulty substitution or when an ‚additional’ player enters the court (4:13-14).
d) External influences e.g. the bands or ropes have to be reattached.
2:15 Infraction during a time-out have the same consequences as infractions during the playing time (16:16, comment 1).
2:16 The referees give the timekeeper a signal when the clock is to be stopped in connection with a time-out.
The interruption of the playing time is to be indicated to the timekeeper through three short blasts on the whistle and hand signal 16.
The whistle must always be blown to indicate the restart of the game after a timeout. (15:3b). With this whistle the time-keeper starts the clock.
Team Time-out
2:17 Each team has the right to receive a 1-minute team time-out in each half of the regular playing time.
A team official of the team that wishes to request a team time-out must do so by showing clearly a „Green card“. Therefore he goes to the middle of the side line and holds up the „Green card“ in a clearly visible manner, so that it is immediately recognizable for the timekeeper. (It is recommended that the „Green card“ measure about 30x20 cm and have a large „T“ on each side.)
A team may request their team time-out only when it has possession of the ball (when the ball is in play or during an interruption). Provided that the team does not lose possession of the ball before the timekeeper has time to whistle (in which case the team time-out will not be allowed) the team will be granted the team time-out immediately.
The timekeeper then interrupts the game by blowing the whistle, gives the hand signal for time-out ((Nr 16) and points with a stretched arm at the team that requested the team time-out. The „green card“ is placed in the sand in the middle of the sideline and about 1 meter outside it by the team official. It remains there during the rest of the playing time of the half concerned.
The referees gives a time-out and the timekeeper stops the clock. The referees acknowledge the team time-out and the timekeeper starts a separate clock controlling the duration of the team time-out. The scorekeeper enters the time of the team time-out, and the half, in the score sheet for the team that requested it.
During the team time-out, the players and officials remain at the level of their substitution area, either on the court or in the substitution area. The referees stay in the center of the court, but one of them may briefly go to the timekeeper‘s table for consultation.
Infractions during team time-out have the same consequences as infractions during playing time. It is irrelevant in this context whether the players concerned are on or off the court. Under rules 8:4, 16:1d and 16:2c., a suspension may be given for unsportmanslike conduct.
After 50 seconds the timekeeper gives an acoustic signal indicating that the game is to be continued in 10 seconds.The teams are obliged to be ready to resume play when the team time-out expires.
The game is restarted with the throw that corresponds to the situation that existed when the team time-out was granted or, if the ball was in play, with a free-throw for the team requesting the team time-out from the place where the ball was at the time of the interruption.
When the referee blows the whistle, the timekeeper starts the clock.
Comment:
„Possession of the ball“ also includes situations where the game has to be continued with a goalkeeper -throw, a throw-in, a free-throw or a 6-meter-throw.
„Ball in play“ means that the player has contact with the ball (holding the ball in hishands, shooting, catching or passing the ball to a teammate) or that the team is in possession of the ball.
Rule 3 THE BALL
3:1 The game is played with a round, non-slippery rubber ball. The men‘s ball weighs 350 to 370 g and has a circumference of 54 to 56 cm; the women‘s ball weighs 280 to 300 g and has a circumference of 50 to 52 cm. A smaller ball may be used for children‘s games.
3:2 Prior to each game at least 3 regulation balls must be available. The reserve balls should be kept in the middle behind each goal in a designated area
3:3 In order to minimize any playing time interruptions and avoid time-outs, the goalkeeper indicated by the referee should bring a replacement ball into the play as quickly as possible, when the ball has left the playing court.
Comment:
The technical requirements for the balls, to be used in all official international games are contained in the „IHF ball regulations“.. .
Rule 4 THE TEAM, SUBSTITUTIONS, EQUIPMENT
The team
4:1 Beach Handball games and tournaments can be organized for male, female and mixed teams.
4:2 In principle a team consists of up to 8 players. At least 6 players must be present at the beginning of the game. If the number of players, eligible to play drops below 4, the game is discontinued and the team in question loses the match.
4:3 A maximum of 4 players per team (3 court players and 1 goalkeeper) may be on the playing court. The remaining players are substitutes who remain in their own substitution area.
4:4 A player or team official is entitled to participate if he is present at the start of the game and is included in the score sheet.
Players/team officials who arrive after the game has started must obtain their entitlement to participate from the timekeeper/scorekeeper and must be entered in the score sheet.
A player who is entitled to participate may, in principle, enter the court through the team‘s own substitution line at any time. (See, however, Rule 4:13)
A player who is not entitled to participate shall be disqualified if he enters the court. (16:6a). The game is restarted with a free-throw for the opponents. (13:1a-b; see, however, Clarification 8)
4:5 During the whole match, each team must have one of the players on the court designated as goalkeeper. A player who is designated as goalkeeper may at any time take on the role of court player. Likewise a court player can take over the function of the goalkeeper (see, however, Rule 4:8).
4:6 A team is allowed to use a maximum of 4 team officials during the game. These team officials may not be replaced during the course of the game. One of them must be designated as the „responsible team official“. Only this official is allowed to address the timekeeper/scorekeeper and possibly the referees. (Except see Rule 2:17)
A team official is general not allowed to enter the court during the game. A violation of this rule is to be penalized as unsportmanslike conduct (Rules 8:4, 16:1d, 16:2d and 16:6b). The game is restarted with a free-throw for the opponents (13:1a-b, see, however Clarification 8)
4:7 In cases of an injury, the referees may give permission (through hand signals 16 and 17) for two of the persons who are „entitled to participate“ (see 4:4) to enter the court during a time-out, for the specific purpose of assisting an injured player from their team (16:2d)
Equipment
4:8 All the court players of a team must wear identical sleeveless shirts. The combinations of colors and design for the two teams must be clearly distinguishable from each other. A players who is entering the playing court as a goalkeeper must wear colors that distinguish him from the court players of both teams and the goalkeepers of the opposing team. Not more than two players of a team shall be marked as goalkeeper (17:3).
Comment:
The goalkeepers shall wear transparent pullovers (e.g. in bright colors, through which the original numbers of the players remain visible)
4:9 The players should wear numbers that are at least 10 cm high in the front.
The colour of the numbers must contrast clearly with the colours and design of the shirts.
It is allowed to put the numbers on the upper arm and upper leg, with a material that does not endanger the health of the players.
4:10 All players play barefoot. It is permitted to wear socks or sport bandages.
Sport shoes and other types of footwear are not permitted.
4:11 It is not permitted to wear objects that could be dangerous to the players. This includes, for instance, head protection, face masks, bracelets, watches, rings, necklaces or chains, ear-rings, glasses without restraining bands or with solid frames, or any other objects that could be dangerous (17:3).
The wearing of headbands made of soft, elastic material is allowed.
Sun caps are permitted, if the hard visor is turned to the back side. (To avoid injuries)
Players, who do not meet this requirement will not be allowed to take part until they have corrected the problem.
Comment:
Nose protector: The rule says that it is not permitted to wear a head protection or a face mask. This rule has to be interpreted as follows: A mask covers the major part of the face. A nose protector is much smaller in size and covers only the nose area.
Therefore, it is permitted to wear a nose protection.
4:12 If a player is bleeding or has blood on the body or uniform, the player must leave the court immediately and voluntarily (through a normal substitution)in order to have the bleeding stopped, the wound covered, and the body and the uniform cleaned off.
The player must not return to the court until this has been done.
A player who does not follow the instructions of the referees in connection with this provision is deemed guilty of unsportmanslike conduct ( 8;4, 16;1d and 16;2c).
Player Substitutions
4:13 Substitutes may enter the game, at any time and repeatedly, without notifying the timekeeper/scorekeeper, as long as the players they are replacing have already left the court (16:2a).
The players shall always leave and enter the court over their own team‘s substitution line (16:2a). These requirements also apply to the substitution of goalkeepers (5:12).
The substitution rules apply also during a time-out (except team time-out).
In case of a faulty substitution the game is restarted with a free-throw (Rule 13) or a 6-meter-throw (Rule 14) for the opponents, if the game has to be interrupted.
Otherwise the game is restarted with the throw that corresponds to the situation.
The guilty player shall be penalized with a suspension (Rule 16). If more than one player from the same team is guilty of faulty substitution in the same situation, only the first player committing an infraction is to be penalized.
4:14 If an additional player enters the court without a substitution, or if a player illegally interferes with the game from the substitution area, there shall be a suspension for the player. Thus the team must be reduced by one player on the court.
If a player enters the court while serving a suspension, he shall be given an additional suspension which starts immediately and also causes a disqualification of the player. The team has to be further reduced on the court.
The game is in both cases restarted with a free-throw for the opponents (13:1a-b; see, however, Clarification 8).
Rule 5 THE GOALKEEPER
The goalkeeper is allowed to:
5:1 touch the ball with any part of his body while in the act of defense inside the goal area;
5:2 move with the ball inside the goal area, without being subject to the restrictions applying to court players (Rules 7:2-4, 7:7). The goalkeeper is not allowed,
however, to delay the execution of the goalkeeper-throw (Rules 6:5, 12:2 and 15:3b);
5:3 leave the goal area without the ball and participate in the game in the playing area; when doing so, the goalkeeper becomes subject to the rules applying to players in the playing area;
The goalkeeper is considered to have left the goal area as soon as any part of the body touches the ground outside the goal-area line.
5:4 to leave the goal area with the ball and play it again in the playing area, if he has not managed to control it.
The goalkeeper is not allowed to:
5:5 endanger the opponent while in the act of defense (8:2, 8:5)
5:6 leave the goal area with the ball under control (free-throw under 13:1a, if the referees has whistled for the execution of the goalkeeper-throw; otherwise the goalkeeper-throw is simply repeated);
5:7 touch the ball again outside the goal area following a goalkeeper-throw, until after it has touched another player (13:1a);
5:8 touch the ball when it is stationary or rolling on the floor outside the goal area, while he is inside the goal area (13:1a);
5:9 take the ball into the goal area when it is stationary or rolling on the floor outside the goal area (13:1a);
5:10 re-enter the goal area from the playing area with the ball (13:1a);
5:11 touch the ball with the foot or the leg below the knee, when it is stationary on the ground in the goal area or moving out towards the playing area (13:1a);
Substitution for the goalkeeper
5:12 The goalkeeper is allowed to enter the playing court only over the side line of his own team‘s goalkeeper‘s area and only from the side of his own team‘s substitution area (1:8, 4:13).
The goalkeeper may leave the playing area over the side line of his own team‘s substitution area or the goal area. (1:8, 4:13). but only on the side of his own team substitution area.
Rule 6 THE GOAL AREA
6:1 Only the goalkeeper is allowed to enter the goal area (see, however, 6:3). The goal area, which includes the goal area line, is considered entered when a court player touches it with any part of the body.
6:2 When a court player enters the goal area, the decisions shall be as follows:
a) free-throw, when a court player enters the goal area in possession of the ball (13:1a).
b) free-throw, when a court player enters the goal area without the ball but gains an advantage by doing so (13:1a-b; see however, 6:2c);
c) 6-meter throw, when a defending player enters the goal area and because of this destroys a clear chance of scoring (14:1a).
6:3 Entering the goal area is not penalized when:
a) a player enters the goal area after playing the ball, as long as this does not create a disadvantage for the opponents;.
b) a player enters the goal area without the ball and does not gain an advantage by doing so;
c) a defending player enters the goal area during or after an attempt to defend, without causing a disadvantage for the opponents.
6:4 The ball belongs to the goalkeeper when it is in the goal area (see, however, 6:5).
6:5 The ball may always be played when it is at rest or rolling, even in the goal-area. However, the court players are not allowed to enter the goal area to do so (free-throw).
It is allowed to play the ball which is in the air above the goal area, except in case of a goalkeeper‘s throw (12:2).
6:6 The goalkeeper shall put the ball back into play through a goalkeeper-throw (Rule 12), when it ends up in the goal area.
6:7 Play shall continue (through a goalkeeper-throw under rule 6:6) if a player of the defending team touches the ball when in the act of defense, and the ball is caught by the goalkeeper or comes to rest in the goal area.
6:8 If a player plays the ball into his own goal area, the decisions shall be as follows:
a) goal, if the ball enters the goal;
b) free-throw, if the ball comes to a rest in the goal area, or if the goalkeeper
touches the ball and it does not enter the goal (13:1a-b);
c) throw-in, if the ball goes out over the outer goal line (12:1).
d) play continues, if the ball passes through the goal area back into the playing area, without being touched by the goalkeeper.
6:9 A ball that returns from the goal area out into the playing area remains in play.
Rule 7 PLAYING THE BALL, PASSIVE PLAY
Playing the ball
It is permitted to:
7:1 throw, catch, stop, push or hit the ball, by using hands (open or closed), arms head, torso, thighs and knees;
Diving for the ball when it is lying or rolling on the ground is also permitted.
7:2 hold the ball for a maximum of 3 seconds, also when it is lying on the floor (13:1a);
The ball may not remain on the ground longer than 3 seconds and then be picked up again by the same player who last touched it (free-throw);
7:3 take a maximum of 3 steps with the ball (13:1a); one step is considered taken when:
a) a player who is standing with both feet on the ground lifts one foot and puts it down again, or moves one foot from one place to another;
b) a player is touching the floor with one foot only, catches the ball and then touches the floor with the other foot;
c) a player after a jump touches the ground with one foot only, and then hops on the same foot or touches the ground with the other foot;
d) a player after a jump touches the floor with both feet simultaneously, and then lifts one foot and puts it down again, or moves one foot from one place to another.
Comment:
It counts as only one step, if one foot is moved from one place to another, and then the other foot is dragged next to the first one.
7:4 while standing or running:
a) bounce the ball once and catch it again with one or both hands;
b) bounce the ball repeatedly with one hand (dribble), or roll the ball on the ground repeatedly with one hand, and then catch it or pick it up again with one or both hands.
As soon as the ball thereafter is held in one or both hands, it must be played within 3 seconds or after no more than 3 steps (13:1a).
The bouncing or dribbling is considered to have started when the player touches the ball with any part of his body and directs it towards the floor.
After the ball has touched another player or the goal, the player is allowed to tap the ball or bounce it and catch it again.
7:5 move the ball from one hand into the other one.
7:6 play the ball while kneeling, sitting or lying on the floor.
It is not permitted to:
7:7 touch the ball more than once, unless it has touched the floor, another player, or the goal in the meantime (13:1a).
Fumbling the ball is not penalized
Comment:
Fumbling means that a player fails to control the ball when trying to catch it or stop it.
If the ball has already been controlled, then the player may not touch it more than once after tapping or bouncing it.
7:8 touch the ball with a foot or leg below the knee, except when the ball has been thrown at the player by an opponent (13:1a-b);
7:9 Play continues if the ball touches a referee on the court.
Passive play
7:10 It is not permitted to keep the ball in the team’s possession without making any recognizable attempt to attack or to shoot on goal (see Clarification No. 4). This is regarded as passive play, which is to be penalized with a free-throw against the team in possession of the ball (13:1a).
The free-throw is taken from the spot where the ball was when play was interrupted.
7:11 When a possible tendency to passive play is recognized, the forewarning signal (Hand signal No.18) is shown. This gives the team in possession of the ball the opportunity to change its way of attacking in order to avoid losing possession. If the way of attacking does not change after the forewarning signal has been shown, or no shot on goal is taken, then a free-throw is called against the team in possession (see Clarification No 4).
In certain situations the referees can call free-throw against the team in possession also without any prior forewarning signal, (e.g. when a player intentionally refrains from trying to utilize a clear scoring chance).
Rule 8 FOULS AND UNSPORTMANSLIKE CONDUCT
It is permitted to:
8:1 a) use arms and hands to block or gain possession of the ball;
b) use an open hand to play the ball away from the opponent from any direction
c) use the body to obstruct an opponent, even when the opponent is not in
possession of the ball;
d) make body contact with an opponent, when facing him and with bent arms, and maintain this contact in order to monitor and follow the opponent.
It is not permitted to:
8:2 a) pull or hit the ball out of the hands of an opponent;
b) block or force away an opponent with arms, hands or legs;
c) restrain, hold, push, run or jump into an opponent;
d) interfere with, impede or endanger an opponent (with or without the ball) in contravention of the rules
8:3 Violations of rule 8:2 where the action is mainly or exclusively directed at the opponent and not at the ball, are to be punished progressively.
Progressive punishment means that it is not sufficient to penalize a particular foul solely with a free-throw or 6-meter throw, because the foul goes beyond the type of infraction which normally occurs in the struggle for the ball.
Each infraction that meets the definition for progressive punishment requires a personal punishment.
8:4 Physical and verbal expressions that are incompatible with the spirit of good sportsmanship are regarded as constituting unsportmanslike conduct. (For examples, see Clarification No. 5). This applies to both players and team officials, on or outside the playing court. Progressive punishment also applies in the case of unsportmanslike conduct (16:1d, 16:2c, 16:2d, 16:6b, h, i).
8:5 A player who endangers the opponent’s health when attacking him, shall be disqualified (16:6c), particularly if he:
a) from the side or from behind, either strikes or pulls back the throwing arm of a player who is in the process of throwing or passing the ball;
b) takes any action resulting in the opponent being struck on the head or neck;
c) deliberately hits the body of an opponent with his foot or knee or in any other way; this includes tripping;
d) pushes an opponent who is running or jumping, or attacks him in such a way that the opponent loses control of his body; this also applies when a goalkeeper leaves his goal area in connection with a counterattack from the opponents;
e) hits a defending player in the head with a free-throw taken as a direct shot on goal, assuming that the defending player was not moving; or similarly, hits the goalkeeper in the head with a 6-meter throw, assuming that the goalkeeper was not moving.
8:6 Seriously unsportmanslike conduct by a player or team official, on or outside the court (for examples, see Clarification No. 6), shall be punished with disqualification (16:6e).
8:7 A player who is guilty of “assault” during the playing time shall be excluded (16:11-13). Assault outside the playing time leads to a disqualification (16:6f; 16:16b,d). A team official who is guilty of assault shall be disqualified (16:6g).
Comment:
Assault is, for the purposes of this rule, defined as a forceful and deliberate attack against the body of another person (player referee, timekeeper/scorekeeper, team official, delegate, spectator etc). In other words, it is not simply a reflex action or the result of careless and excessive methods. Spitting on another person is specifically regarded as assault.
8:8 Violations against rules 8:2-7 lead to a 6-meter–throw for the opponents (Rule 14:1), if the violation directly, or indirectly because of the interruption it causes, destroys a clear chance of scoring for the opponents.
Otherwise the violation leads to a free-throw for the opponents (Rules 13:1a-b, but see also 13:2 and 13:3).
Rule 9 SCORING AND DECIDING THE OUTCOME OF THE GAME
Scoring
9:1 A goal is scored when the entire ball has crossed the entire width of the goal line (see diagram 4), provided that no violation of the rules has been committed by the thrower or a teammate before or during the throw.
A goal shall be allowed, if there is a violation of the rules by a defender but the ball still goes into the goal.
A goal cannot be awarded, if a referee or the timekeeper has interrupted the game before the ball has completely crossed the goal line.
A goal shall be awarded to the opponents, if a player plays the ball into his own goal, except in the situation where a goalkeeper is executing a goalkeeper-throw (12:2, 2nd paragraph).
Comment:
A goal shall be awarded, if the ball is prevented from going into the goal by someone or something not participating in the game (spectators etc), and the referees are convinced that the ball would otherwise have entered the goal.
9:2 Creative or spectacular goals are awarded with two points(See Clarification 1).
9:3 A goal scored by a 6-m throw is awarded with two points.
9:4 After a goal is scored, the game is restarted with a goalkeeper–throw from the goal area (12:1)
9:5 A goal that has been awarded can no longer be disallowed, once the referee has allowed the goal and the goalkeeper-throw has been taken.
The referees must make clear (without a goalkeeper-throw) that they have allowed a goal, if the signal for the end of a half sounds immediately after a goal is scored and before a goalkeeper-throw can be taken.
Scoring by the goalkeeper
9:6 Two points are awarded when a goal is scored by the goalkeeper.
Deciding the outcome of the game
9:7 If the score is even at the end of a half, the “Golden goal method” is used, i.e. the winner is the team that scores the first goal (2:6).
9:8 If both teams have won a half, a “Shoot-out’ (One player against the goalkeeper) is used.
Five players who are eligible to play take throws alternating with the opposing team.
If a goalkeeper is one of the throwers, he counts as a court player when he take his throw (4:8 comment).
The winner is the team that has scored more points after five t