Laurier Recreation - Waterloo Campus

Team Composition 

• Rosters may not be larger than 10 total players 
• A maximum of 6 of players including the goalie are permitted on the court at one time 
• A game may not proceed with less than 4 players. An exception can be made if an injury occurs during a game 
• In the CoRec league, teams may not have more than 4 players of one gender on the court at one time 

Game Procedures 

• Each game will consist of two 20-minute periods with a 5-minute intermission in-between 
• If the minimum number of players are not present, the team will default 
• The objective of Handball is to score more points by throwing the ball into the goal of the opposing team 
• If the score is tied at the end of the second half, a 2-minute overtime period will be played.  
  • If the game remains a tie after this period, a 3 round shootout will be conducted.  
  • If the score remains tied after the 3 rounds, the shootout will proceed to a "sudden death" format.  
  • All players must shoot before a player is able to shoot a second time 
• The first half begins with a jump ball by the referee similar to the format of a basketball game 
• Substitutions can be made at any time (i.e., on the fly) 
• Defaults will result in a score of 30-0 
• If both teams default, it will result in a score of 0-0 

Rules of Play 

• After the jump ball the player who attains the ball will win possession for their team 
• Teams must make a conscious effort to move the ball up the court and try to score 
• If a team does not attempt to advance the ball or shoot, this is ‘passive play’ and the ball is rewarded to the other team 
• The ball can be advanced up or down the court by passing or taking 3 steps with the ball 
• Players cannot hold the ball for longer than 3 seconds  
• If a player holds a ball for longer than 3 seconds or takes more than 3 steps, the ball will be rewarded to the opposing team at half or their goalkeeper depending on the location of the ball 
• Players shoot by throwing the ball into the opposing team’s net 
• Players cannot kick the ball 
• Players must keep the ball and themselves within the boundary lines when they have possession 
• If the ball or player with the ball goes beyond the boundary line, the ball will be rewarded to the opposing team and inbounded from the location it went out 
• If at any time the ball lands on the ground it is considered live and both teams may try to attain possession 
  • In the event of two opposing players trying to attain possession at the same time, the referee will reward possession to the player that the referee deems to have had possession first. If the referee cannot determine first possession, a jump ball will occur at the spot of the ball 
• There is a goalkeeper’s crease that is represented by the 3-point basketball line 
• Offensive players are not allowed to step into the defending goalkeepers crease 
• Offensive players are allowed to jump into the defending goalkeepers crease to shoot or pass. The jump must begin on the outside of the crease and the ball must be released prior to the player landing in the crease 
• Goalkeepers can move outside of their crease 
• If an offensive player steps into the opposing team’s crease, the ball is rewarded to the goalkeeper 
• If a defensive player (besides the goalie) steps into the defensive team’s crease, the ball will remain with the offensive team at half court 
  • If this is done in the act of shooting, a penalty shot will be rewarded to the offensive team 
• Defenders may try to block the opposing team from passing to one another, but may not make contact or try to swat the ball while it is in the offensive player’s hand 
• While defending, some incidental conduct is expected, but excessive contact will result in a foul at the referees’ discretion. Examples of excessive contact include jumping into or pushing an opposing player 
• Common foul – when a defensive player makes excessive contact on an offensive player who is passing, holding, or running with the ball 
  • The player who was fouled will be rewarded with possession at mid court 
• Shooting foul – when a player is fouled during the act of shooting 
  • The player who was fouled will receive a penalty shot 
• Offensive foul – when an offensive player pushes off, drops their shoulder or charges (e.g., basketball a charge) into the defender 
  • The defensive goalie will be rewarded the ball 
• Off-the-ball-fouls – when there is excessive contact between two players away from the ball that is not considered incidental 
  • The ball will be rewarded to the goalie of the team that did not commit the offence either 
• Technical fouls – unsportsmanlike conduct towards and player or referee 
  • The first technical foul results in a penalty shot for the opposing team  
  • The second technical foul (to the same player) will result in that player being removed for the remainder of the game, and a penalty shot for the opposing team 
  • Additional disciplinary action may be taken by the league 
• A penalty shot is a breakaway shot on goal where the shooter begins at half court. The remaining players must line up at half court and after the shot is taken the ball is live. The goalies crease remains in play during a penalty shot