Playing Time

The normal playing time for all teams with players of age 16 and above is 2 halves of 30 minutes. The half-time break is normally 10 minutes.

The normal playing time for youth teams is 2 x 25 minutes in age group 12-16 and 2 x 20 minutes in age group 8-12. In both cases the half-time break is normally 10 minutes.

Overtime is played, following a 5-minute break, if a game is tied at the end of the regular playing time and a winner has to be determined. The overtime period consists of 2 halves of 5 minutes, with a 1-minute half-time break. If the game is again tied after a first overtime period, a second period is played after a 5-minute break. This overtime period also has 2 halves of 5 minutes, with a 1-minute half-time break.

If the game is still tied, the winner will be determined in accordance with the rules for the particular competition. In the case that the decision is to use 7-meter-throwing as tie-breaker to decide a winner, the procedures indicated below shall be followed.

The Ball

The ball is made of leather or a synthetic material. It must be spherical. The surface must not be shiny or slippery.

The ball sizes, i.e. the circumference and weight, to be used by different categories of teams are as follows:

58-60cm and 425-475g (IHF Size 3) for Men and for Male Youth (over age 16);

54-56cm and 325-375g (IHF Size 2) for Women, Female Youth (over age 14), and Male Youth (age 12 to 16);

50-52cm and 290-330g (IHF Size 1) for Female Youth (age 8 to 14) and Male Youth (age 8 to 12).

The Team

A team consists of up to 14 players.

No more than 7 players may be present on the court at the same time. The remaining players are substitutes.

At all times during the game, the team must have one of the players on the court designated as a goalkeeper. A player who is recognized as a goalkeeper may become a court player at any time. Similarly,a court player may become a goalkeeper at any time.

A team must have at least 5 players on the court at the start of the game.

The number of players on a team can be increased up to 14, at any time during the game, including overtime.

The game may continue even if a team is reduced to less than 5 players on the court. It is for the referees to judge whether and when the game should be permanently suspended.

Scoring

A goal is scored when the entire ball has completely crossed the goal line (see diagram 4), provided that no violation of the rules has been committed by the thrower, a teammate or a team official before or during the throw. The goal line referee confirms with two short whistle signals and hand signal no. 12 that a goal has been scored.

A goal shall be awarded 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.

The Punishments

A warning can be given for:

a) fouls and similar infractions against an opponent (5:5 and 8:2), which do not fall under the category of punished progressively;

A warning shall be given for :

b) such fouls which are to be punished progressively;

c) unsportsmanlike conduct by a player or team official;

A suspension (2 minutes) shall be given:

a) for a faulty substitution, if an additional player enters the court, or if a player illegally interferes with the game from the substitution area;

b) for repeated fouls of the type that they are to be punished progressively;

c) for repeated unsportsmanlike conduct by a player, on the court or outside the court;

d) for unsportsmanlike conduct by any one of the officials of a team, after one of them has previously received a warning;

e) for unsportsmanlike conduct of a type that is judged to warrant a 2-minute suspension on each occasion;

f) as a consequence of a disqualification of a player or team official;

g) for unsportsmanlike conduct by a player before the game has been restarted, after he has just been given a 2-minute suspension.

Disqualification

A disqualification shall be given:

a) for unsportsmanlike conduct by any one of the officials of a team, after they have previously received both a warning and a 2-minute suspension;

b) for fouls which endanger the opponent's health;

c) for seriously unsportsmanlike conduct by a player or a team official, on or outside the court (8:6; Clarification No. 6), and for the special case of significant or repeated unsportsmanlike conduct during a tie-breaker such as 7-meter throwing;

d) for an assault by a player before the game or during a tie-breaking procedure;

e) for an assault by a team official;

f) because of a third suspension to the same player;

Exclusion

An exclusion shall be given:

when a player is guilty of an assault during the playing time, on

or outside the playing court.

After calling a time-out, the referees shall clearly indicate the exclusion to the guilty player and to the timekeeper/scorekeeper, through the prescribed hand signal, i.e. the referee crosses his arms above his head.

Exclusion is always for the entire remainder of the playing time, and the team must continue with one player less on the court. If a player who receives an exclusion was already serving (or had just received) a 2-minute suspension, or had caused a 2-minute reduction in team strength under Rule 16:12, then such a suspension or reduction would be incorporated into the exclusion. This means that the only remaining reduction is that which is caused by the exclusion.

The excluded player must not be replaced and must leave both the court and the substitution area immediately. After leaving, the player is not allowed to have any form of contact with the team.An exclusion must be explained by the referees in the match report to the relevant authorities.

(BOCOG)