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Glossary

Most Common Handball Terms
 

Back line A line across the end of the court, but not including the goal line; also called the "outer goal line".
Centre back A player centered largely around midcourt who directs the offence and shoots or tries to penetrate the defense; also called a "playmaker".
Centre line A line across the court dividing it into two halves.
Corner throw An offensive player's throw from a corner at the offensive end of the court, restarting play after the ball has gone over the back line after being touched by a defender other than the goalkeeper.
Court player Any player on the court except a goalkeeper; also known as a "field player".
Dribble To move the ball by bouncing it on the floor.
Exclusion When a player is ejected from the game with no replacement allowed.
Field player Any player on the court except a goalkeeper; also known as a "court player".
Four-metre line A line four metres in front of a goal that marks the limit of where a goalkeeper may advance to defend against a penalty throw; also known as the "goalkeeper's restraining line".
Free throw A fresh start to offensive play without interference from the defense, awarded for a minor offence by the opponent.
Free-throw line An arcing dotted line extending nine metres from the goal, marking where an attacking team resumes play after being fouled inside the line; also called the "nine-metre line".
Goal area The D-shaped area extending six metres from the goal and occupied only by the goalkeeper.
Goal area line An arcing line that defines the goal area; also called the "six-metre line".
Goal line The line the ball must cross to score a goal.
Goal throw A throw-in from a goalkeeper to a team-mate, restarting play after the goalkeeper or the opposition last touched the ball before it passed over the back line.
Goalkeeper The player in charge of defending the goal.
Goalkeeper's restraining line A line four metres in front of a goal that marks the limit of where a goalkeeper may advance to defend against a penalty throw; also known as the "four-metre line".
Harpaston An ancient Roman team sport believed to be a forerunner to handball, in which players threw a small ball to team-mates while trying to avoid opposing players.
Jump shot A shot attempted while leaping.
Line player An offensive player who plays largely around the six-metre line; also called a "pivot".
Nine-metre line An arcing dotted line extending nine metres from the goal, marking where an attacking team resumes play after being fouled inside the line; also called the "free-throw line".
Outer goal line A line across the end of the court, but not including the goal line; also called the "back line".
Penalty line A one-metre line seven metres in front of the goal where penalty throws are attempted; also called the "seven-metre line".
Penalty shoot-out A tie-breaking system where, after a tied game, players on each team try to score against the opposing goalkeeper from the penalty line to determine a winner.
Penalty throw A seven-metre shot at goal defended only by the goalkeeper and awarded for a serious offence or because the defense illegally spoiled a clear chance to score a goal; also called a "seven-metre throw".
Pivot An offensive player who plays largely around the six-metre line; also called a "line player".
Playmaker A player centered largely around midcourt who directs the offence and shoots or tries to penetrate the defense; also called a "centre back".
Red card A card signifying a referee has ejected a player from the game.
Referee throw Similar to a jump ball in basketball, a throw into the air by the referee so a player on each team can jump and try to gain control of the ball.
Running shot A shot attempted while running.
Seven-metre line A one-metre line seven metres in front of the goal where penalty throws are attempted; also called the "penalty line".
Seven-metre throw A seven-metre shot at goal defended only by the goalkeeper and awarded for a serious infraction or because the defense illegally spoiled a clear chance to score a goal; also called a "penalty throw"
 

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