Section 4: Players & Officials
4.1 Team Composition
Each team consists of up to 16 players: a maximum of 14 court players and 2 goalkeepers. Seven players are on the court at any time — 6 field players and 1 goalkeeper. Teams must have at least 5 players to start a match.
4.2 Player Positions
- Goalkeeper (GK): Defends the goal within the 6 m area. May use any body part (including feet) to stop the ball. May leave the goal area but then becomes a regular court player subject to field-player rules.
- Centre back (CB): The primary playmaker. Organises the attack from the centre of the 9 m line, distributing the ball and directing offensive patterns.
- Left and right backs (LB/RB): Positioned on either side of the centre back. Often the primary shooters with powerful long-range shots from 9–10 m.
- Left and right wings (LW/RW): Play on the flanks near the sidelines and goal line. Rely on speed and agility for fast breaks and sharp-angle shots close to the goal line.
- Pivot / Line player (LP): Operates along the 6 m line within the defensive formation. Sets screens for backcourt players, receives passes for close-range shots, and creates space by disrupting the defence.
4.3 Substitutions
Substitutions are unlimited and occur as "flying substitutions" — the outgoing player must leave the court before the incoming player enters, both through the substitution zone. No stoppage of play is required. Faulty substitution (entering early or outside the zone) results in a 2-minute suspension for the incoming player.
4.4 The Empty-Goal Tactic
A distinctive feature of modern handball is the option to replace the goalkeeper with a seventh court player (sometimes called a "specialist" or wearing a goalkeeper jersey over a court player uniform). This creates a 7-vs-6 numerical advantage on attack but leaves the goal completely undefended. If the opposing team gains possession, they can shoot at an empty goal from any distance. This high-risk tactic is increasingly common at the elite level, particularly when a team is trailing in the final minutes. Some teams employ it systematically throughout entire matches, accepting occasional empty-net goals in exchange for the sustained attacking advantage.
4.4 Match Officials
- Two court referees: Hold equal authority and may independently call any infraction. They position themselves at court and goal-line positions and swap roles throughout play.
- Timekeeper: Controls the official game clock, signals timeouts, and manages 2-minute suspensions.
- Scorekeeper: Maintains the official score sheet, records goals, warnings, suspensions, and disqualifications.
- Delegates (IHF/continental events): Supervise the match from the officials' table with authority to intervene on matters of rules interpretation.