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How many players and substitutes are there in a handball team?

Author

Mia Kelly

Published Jan 15, 2026

Each team consists of seven players on court and seven substitute players on the bench. One player on the court must be the designated goalkeeper, differing in his clothing from the rest of the court players. Substitution of players can be done in any number and at any time during game play.

Is there a limit to substitutions in handball?

Handball. Any number of players among the seven substitutes can enter the court on the substitution line anytime during the game. However, junior handball competitions by some countries' governing bodies allow substitutions only when in ball possession or during timeouts.

How many players play the game of handball?

team handball, also called fieldball or handball, game played between two teams of 7 or 11 players who try to throw or hit an inflated ball into a goal at either end of a rectangular playing area while preventing their opponents from doing so.

How many players are there in a team of football?

Number of Players

A match is played by two teams, each with a maximum of eleven players; one must be the goalkeeper. A match may not start or continue if either team has fewer than seven players.

Why is handball not popular?

Why Is Handball Unpopular – Or Is It? Handball is unpopular in some countries due to its lack of media coverage. It is also a new sport, with the first set of rules written in 1906. Other variables such as sponsorships and corruption play their part in its lack of popularity.

38 related questions found

How many players are allowed in the goal box in handball?

At least four (4) players must be on the court at all times. Game time is forfeit time. The intramural supervisor will provide the game ball. Indoor Soccer Goals will be used as the team handball goals.

How many total players are in the court of handball at one time?

A. There are seven players on each team (six court players and one goalie). A maximum of 12 players may dress and participate in a game for each team. Substitutes may enter the game at any time through own substitution area as long as the player they are replacing has left the court.

How many bench players are in handball?

Substitutions

Handball is a 7 versus 7 player game. Additionally, teams are allowed to have 7 players on their bench. This means the average player plays about half of the game.

How many players are on a European handball team?

Handball (also known as team handball, European handball or Olympic handball) is a team sport in which two teams of seven players each (six outcourt players and a goalkeeper) pass a ball using their hands with the aim of throwing it into the goal of the other team.

What are the 7 positions in handball?

Playing positions The seven playing positions are: goalkeeper, left wing, left back, middle back, line player, right back and right wing. Passing the ball Throwing he ball to another player from the team.

What starts the game in team handball?

The game starts with a throw-off. The throw-off takes place in the center of the court. Here, the thrower has to touch the middle line with one foot while all of the other players stay in their own half. The team that wins the coin toss and wants to start with the ball begins the throw off.

What size is handball court?

The playing court is 40m long and 20m wide, with two goal areas and a playing area. The longer boundary lines are called side lines, and the shorter ones are called goal lines (between the goalposts) or outer goal lines (on either side of the goal).

Who can play handball?

Handball is a team sport played by two male or female teams. The players are allowed to handle and throw the ball using their hands, but they must not touch the ball with their feet. The objective of the game is to score and avoid getting goals.

What is handball court?

The Handball Court consists of a Handball Goal on each side, a series of distance markings, a halfway line, a Free Throw line, and a goal area. A Handball Court can have 1, 3, or 4 walls depending on the venue. Three walled Handball Courts provide one side for an audience to experience the game.

How many points are each goal in team handball?

A goal worth one point is awarded to the offensive team each time the entire ball crosses their opponent's goal area. There is no equivalent to a 3 point goal in basketball. All goals are worth just 1 point.

What are 3 rules of a team handball game?

A player can take three steps maximum before and after dribbling (no 'double dribble'). Players are not able to endanger an opponent with the ball. Players are not permitted to pull, hit or punch the ball out of the hands of an opponent. Players cannot make contact with the ball below the knee.

What are the rules of 3 in team handball?

If a handball player takes more than three steps without dribbling (bouncing the ball) or holds the ball for more than 3 seconds without bouncing it, shooting or passing, then that is deemed 'travelling' and possession is lost.

What is substitution in handball?

Substitutions. Substitutions in handball are done "on the fly". This means that players can enter or exit the field at any time, as long as they cross through their team's substitution box on the sideline. Rolling substitutions allow for quicker transitions as play doesn't have to be stopped to change personnelle.

Is handball a real sport?

Handball is a fascinating game played throughout five continents, by over 180 countries and 19 million people of all ages. Combining speed, strength, stamina, agility, technical precision, skill and teamwork, handball has become one of the fastest-paced and exciting Olympic sports.

How long is a team handball game?

A regulation handball match consists of two 30 minute halves separated by a 10 or 15 minute half time. The clock runs continuously unless a timeout is called or a player is injured.

How many extra players are there in a handball team?

Rules of Handball

Each team consists of 7 players; a goalkeeper and 6 outfield players. Outfield players can touch the ball with any part of their body that is above the knee. Once a player receives possession, they can pass, hold possession or shoot.

Who is the most famous handball player?

Olympic gold medallist, World Champion, European champion, for many Mikkel Hansen is handball's G.O.A.T. Mikkel Hansen will go down in handball history as one of the greatest players, if not the greatest player, ever.

What is the 9m line in handball?

Free-throw line (9 m) – this dashed 'D' shaped line is 9 metres from the outer goal line. The line is used to resume play if an attacking player is fouled within the area. Penalty mark (7 m mark) - the penalty mark is used for all penalty throws and is located 7 metres in front of the goal line and is 1 metre wide.

What sport is handball made of?

One of the oldest of ball games, handball has been traced back to the baths of Rome. Played later as a bare-handed game called pelota in Spain and France, it was the forerunner of modern jai alai. Handball was adapted in the British Isles during the 16th century and called fives (q.v.).

Where is handball most popular?

Handball is one of the most popular team sports in much of Europe, particularly Germany, France, Spain, the Nordic countries and the countries of former Yugoslavia.