Handball
Handball substitutions, team time-outs and seven-player attacks
How current IHF indoor handball rules handle rolling substitutions, faulty changes, team time-outs and attacks with seven court players and no goalkeeper.
Substitutions are rolling and repeatable
Eligible substitutes may enter at any time and repeatedly without notifying the timekeeper or scorekeeper, as long as the player being replaced has already left the court. Both players use their own team’s substitution line, including goalkeeper changes.
A faulty substitution brings a two-minute suspension
A faulty substitution is punished with a two-minute suspension for the player at fault and a free throw for the opponents. An additional player entering without a substitution, or illegally interfering from the substitution area, is also suspended for two minutes and the team is reduced accordingly.
Team time-outs require possession
Under the standard rule, each team has one one-minute team time-out in each half of regular time and none in overtime. It may be requested only while the team has possession; the timekeeper’s whistle stops the official clock. Approved competition variations may allow up to three team time-outs in regular time, with no more than two in either half.
Seven court players means an empty goal
A team may play without a goalkeeper with a maximum of seven court players. A goalkeeper may become a court player and a court player may become a goalkeeper when properly identified; those changes still follow the substitution rules. Using the extra attacker therefore leaves the goal without a goalkeeper until a legal change restores one.