Know the game: what smart fans need to know about Handball

Handball has been around since the end of the nineteenth century and is extremely popular in Europe, gaining in popularity around the world with many nations fielding national teams. Historically, handball was played in several forms, including field handball, which was an outdoor variant with 11 players per side, before the transition to the modern indoor handball that is now the dominant form. Handball has been an Olympic sport since the 1930s.

Due to its fast-paced nature, the game’s players are involved in a lot of body contact. Two teams play each other and consist of seven players; six outfield players, known as court players, and one player designated as the goalkeeper, who is the only one allowed in the goal area.

The game lasts for 60 minutes, split into two halves of 30 minutes with a short break in between play.

Unlike most team sports, one team can substitute any court player at any time during the game, with unlimited substitutions allowed.

In recent years, countries like France have achieved significant success in international handball competitions.

Introduction to handball

Handball is a dynamic Olympic sport that brings together two teams of seven players each in a fast-paced contest of skill, speed, and teamwork.

Played indoors, team handball challenges athletes to score points by throwing the ball into the opposing team’s goal, with each match split into two 30-minute halves. The game is renowned for its high scoring and rapid transitions, demanding both physical strength and quick decision-making from every player on the court.

At the end of regular time, the team with the most goals scored claims victory, making every moment of play crucial in this thrilling sport.

History and development

Handball’s origins trace back to the late 19th century in Scandinavia and Germany, where early forms of the game began to take shape. The first official handball match was played in Germany in 1917, marking the start of the sport’s modern era.

With the establishment of the International Handball Federation (IHF) in 1946, handball gained a global governing body and began to expand internationally. The sport made its Olympic debut in the 1930s and has since featured both men’s and women’s

Aim of handball

The objective of handball is to score as many goals as possible during the 60-minute long game. Each goal counts as one point. Because handball is such a fast-paced game, the team in the lead can never rest on their laurels. The opposition could easily score several goals in under a minute and take the lead.

Defensive strategies like those used in football and other sports generally do not work in handball. It is common to see games with scores in the region of 30+ and upwards, much like basketball. Handball’s high scoring and fast pace differ from the low scoring and defensive focus seen in soccer and other sports.

To score goals, team players throw the ball past the goalkeeper to score a goal. Players move the ball along the court by throwing it from player to player, avoiding the ball being intercepted by the opposition. Teams must maintain active possession and are penalized if they hold the ball too long without attempting to score.

The key to handball success lies in players working together at high, octane speed to outmanoeuvre the opposing team, much faster than a football match.

How the ball can be used in handball

Players can only move up to three steps while holding the ball before they must pass to a teammate. They can use any part of the body excluding their lower legs and feet. They are permitted to dribble with the ball by bouncing it along the court.

There is a caveat to this though, once they stop dribbling, unlike basketball they have three seconds to attempt to get rid of the ball, either by passing to a teammate or shooting towards the goal.

There are specific rules that players must follow when they play the game:

• Players can use any of their bodies to throw, stop, hit or catch a ball, except their legs or feet.

• Players are not permitted to take more than up to three steps with the ball.

• Players can dribble the ball by bouncing it on the ground.

• Players are not allowed to ‘double bounce’ – in other words, bounce the ball, stop, then bounce again. They must pass or shoot after bouncing the ball.

• If a player intercepts or catches the ball, they have three seconds to attempt to pass, dribble, shoot or bounce the ball.

• If an outfield player is inside the 7-metre goal zone, they are not permitted to pass the ball to the goalkeeper.

Teams can be penalized for passive play if they do not attempt to attack or shoot within a reasonable time, which can result in a warning or turnover to encourage continuous offensive action.

Handball player positions

• Goalkeeper: the only player on the court who is permitted to touch the ball with their feet. All other players on the playing surface are considered court players.

• Left & right backcourts: These two court players cover the circle runner in defence and free-scoring in attack.

• Centre: The court player who commands play, either defensively or offensively.

• Circle runner: Similar to the Centre player, although is more creative offensively and assists in disrupting opponents when utilised in defence.

• Left & right wingers: Court players who counter the opposition team’s wingers and move at speed, looking to draw the backcourts wide, opening up gaps for the central players to shoot at goal.

The left and right backcourt players, and centre player occupy the back of the court, much like full-backs do in football.

If needed, the ‘back three’ assist in attacking the opposition to allow the ‘forward three’ the freedom to roam the court and move into attacking positions and hopefully score. The key player is the central circle runner, who has a free role around the court.

Referees use one hand to signal passive play, indicating that the attacking team must attempt a shot soon. They may also switch to one side of the court to better monitor play. When a team attacks, the other team responds with defensive strategies to regain possession or force a turnover.

Handball scoring and lines on the court

The playing court is 40m by 20m and looks similar to a basketball court, with the goals two metres high and three metres across. The court is marked by several important lines, including the goal line, which runs along the width of the court where the goals are placed, and the outer goal line, which marks the boundary at the ends of the court. The centre line divides the court into two halves and is used to start play. Around the goal zone are two curved lines at six and nine metres. The first line delineates the goal area, or land, where no outfield players are permitted to enter, and the second is the free throw line if a foul has been committed.

The goals are attached securely to the floor for stability and are sometimes also fixed to the wall behind them. The posts and the crossbar of the goal are made of the same material and have a quadratic cross section, ensuring uniformity and safety.

The game begins with a ‘jump ball’ at the centre line of the court. However, once a goal is scored, the goalkeeper can throw the ball back into the court for play to resume without the game being stopped. In other words, unlike football, the game does not need to restart at the centre circle.

For example, a typical scoring play might involve a player quickly passing the ball to a teammate near the goal area, who then jumps from outside the land, shoots over the defensive wall of players, and aims to get the ball past the goalkeeper and across the goal line.

The ball itself is between 58-60mm in diameter and has a ‘sticky’ feel, making it easier for players to hold it whilst shielding it from others who are trying to dislodge the ball from them.

Fouls and penalties in handball

Should players commit fouls, the referee can give out various penalties, resulting in a free throw for the opposition. In handball, most penalties and match outcomes are determined within regular time.

When a free throw is awarded, all players must stand behind the second curved line. For certain fouls, such as when there is a clear opportunity to score and the opposition incorrectly stops the player attempting the shot, a penalty shot is awarded. The penalty shot is taken against the goalkeeper from the seven-metre line, much like a penalty in football.

Free throws for other fouls include:

• If a player has broken the rules or if the team in control of the ball is playing a very passive game.

• When there is a clear opportunity to score, and the opposition incorrectly stops the player attempting the shot, resulting in a penalty shot.

• If a player throws the ball to his goalkeeper while they are in the goal zone.

• If players are not playing in the spirit of the game (like passive playing) or break the rules by actions against a player and not the ball, a yellow card is awarded to that player.

• Hitting the goalkeeper’s head, especially when the goalkeeper is not moving, results in a two-minute suspension for the offending player.

• Should players receive two yellow cards or have played a particularly dangerous play, they receive a two-minute suspension.

• Should a player receive two, two-minute suspensions and subsequently commits another foul, the player is shown a red card and must leave the court.

How to bet on handball: know the game

Handball’s speed and scoring intensity make it one of the most exciting indoor sports to watch—and to bet on. Matches consist of two 30-minute halves, and each team fields seven players, including a goalkeeper. With frequent goals, momentum swings, and power plays, understanding team tactics and form is essential.

Popular handball betting markets include:

• Match winner (team wins) – back the team you expect to win; a team wins bet is a fundamental betting option, where you can choose one team, the other team, or a draw.

• Over/under goals – predict the total number of goals scored.

• Handicap betting – balance perceived differences in team strength.

• Half-time/full-time – bet on the leader at each stage.

• First goalscorer – choose who you think will score first.

• Leagues and league matches – bet on outcomes in national and international handball leagues.

Smart bettors analyse:

• Team form and recent results – especially in league and cup competitions.

• Injury reports and suspensions – a missing playmaker or goalkeeper can shift odds significantly.

• Home vs. away performance – some teams thrive on home crowds.

• Style of play – defensive setups vs. fast-break strategies.

• Head-to-head history – past clashes often reveal trends.

If you’re just starting out, explore betting tipsters who specialise in team sports or niche markets. Seasoned bettors can also benefit from using arbitrage betting software to identify the best available odds across sportsbooks.

Whether you’re in it for the thrill of the game or the challenge of predicting outcomes, handball offers depth, strategy, and plenty of opportunity for well-informed betting. Betting is available on both men’s and women’s handball competitions, including major international tournaments and leagues.