If a player is fouled attempting to score a goal, the referee will almost certainly award a penalty shot. Penalty shots in handball are called only for taking away a clear goal-scoring opportunity. Every player needs to know where a penalty shot is taken from.
In handball, a penalty shot is taken from the 7-meter line (23 feet). Penalty shots are often referred to as 7-meter throws. The 7-meter line is the short line directly in front of the net found between the solid goal zone line and the dotted 8-meter line.
Any player on the court can take a penalty shot awarded by the referee. It doesn’t have to be the player that was fouled.
Even though a 7-meter throw seems easy to convert for a goal, there are a few things every handball player needs to know.
- The shooter stands at the 7-meter line to take the penalty shot.
- The shooter’s feet cannot cross or touch the line until the ball leaves their hand.
- During a penalty shot, one of the shooter’s feet needs to be planted on the floor the entire time. Jumping is not allowed.
- The shot needs to be taken within 3 seconds after the referee’s whistle.
- The defending team can choose to substitute the goalkeeper for a penalty shot.
- Every player, except the shooter and the goalie, needs to stand behind the free-throw line as the penalty shot is being taken.
- If a player on the shooter’s team crosses the free-throw line before the ball leaves the shooter’s hand, the penalty is forfeit and the goalkeeper’s team receives a free throw.
- If any player on the goalkeeper’s team goes over the free-throw line before the ball leaves the shooter’s hand, the penalty shot is retaken. Unless the shooter scores.
How to Take a Penalty Shot in Handball?
If your team is given a penalty shot in handball, any of the players on the court can step up to take the shot. A penalty is usually awarded for committing a foul during a goal scoring opportunity.
To take a penalty shot in handball, a player needs to stand behind the 7-meter line (23 feet) and fire the ball in the net. The shooter has 3 seconds after the referee’s whistle to take a shot. By rule, the shooter needs to keep one foot planted on the ground the entire time.
I recommend gripping the ball with your dominant hand using your entire body for your shot. Put your back and your shoulder in your shots.
A common strategy is to pump fake a shot at least once to try and fake out the goalkeeper. Once a shooter notices the goalie move, they fire the ball into the opposite side of the net. The shooter needs good balance as the pump fakes must not take him past the 7-meter line.
Penalty shots are often bounced off the ground or either of the goalposts. Players use different tactics to get the ball past the goalkeeper and into the net.
How Many Points Is a Penalty Shot Worth in Handball?
In handball, a penalty shot scored is worth 1 point. In fact, every goal scored in handball is worth 1 point, regardless of if it’s a penalty shot, a free-throw, or a shot from open play.
The value of the points doesn’t change based on the distance of the shot either. There is no 3-ponit line in handball.
Can You Take a Running Start to Shoot a Penalty Shot in Handball?
Handball penalty shots are taken from a stationary potion. Shooters can’t take a running start to shoot their penalty shot. Jumping is also not allowed. Players must plant one of their feet behind the 7-meter line. The planted foot cannot come off the ground until the ball is released.
Can The Goalkeeper Move During a Penalty Shot in Handball?
During a penalty shot in handball, the goalkeepers need to stay on the goal line. They are allowed to move side to side on the goal line but can’t move forward until the ball is thrown by the shooter.
Want to Know More About Handball?
If you want to learn all the rules of the game, I’ve put together an article with everything you need to know. It’s called Handball Rules, How to Play Handball. The guide is equipped with a bullet point list of all the rules you need to know to play the game. Regardless of if you play indoors or at a beach, the same rules apply.
There, you’ll find a downloadable PDF of all the rules and regulations. Feel free to download my guide and share it with your teammate and organization.
Keep playing this amazing game, and always remember to be competitive and have fun.