Handball is an indoor team sport, which mixes high-speed action, gymnastic agility, sleight of hand and tremendous power with spectacular shots on goal. 

The game has been described as a sport combining all the best elements of basketball, water polo and football with a little bit of rugby thrown in. 

Players need to be all-round athletes to compete - strength, power, agility and good aerobic fitness are all essential.

Virtually anyone can play handball, it combines the basic skills of running, jumping and throwing. Within minutes of picking up a ball you'll be playing the game like a pro.

The game

The game involves two teams with seven players on court at any one time, six court players and one goalkeeper. Substitutions can be made at any time.
 

Play begins with a throw off from the centre of the court following a whistle from one of the two referees. The team in possession of the ball moves towards their opponent's goal, passing the ball and looking for an opportunity to shoot.

The defending team meanwhile forms a defensive wall around their goal area and tries to prevent the other team from scoring and also gain possession of the ball if possible.

Attacking

When in possession of the ball court players can take three steps then must dribble, pass or shoot. You can hold the ball for a maximum of three seconds.

Dribbling the ball with one hand is allowed and players are allowed a further three steps after bouncing or dribbling the ball. Double dribbling the ball is not permitted.

Shots are allowed from anywhere on the court. Neither attackers nor defenders may enter the six metre goal area, although attackers may shoot if they are in the air above it.

After a goal is scored play resumes at the centre line with the non-scoring team in control of the ball.

Defending

Body contact is allowed in handball and is unavoidable as attackers try to break through the defence.

Defenders are allowed to block attacking players with their bodies even if they do not have the ball.

They are also allowed to shadow/control an attacking player (make body contact) with bent arms and from the front. Pushing, hitting and holding are not allowed.

The Goalkeeper

The goalkeeper can use any part of the body to save the ball from going into the goal including the feet.

The goalkeeper can play as a court player, but must not leave the 6 m goal area in control of the ball- 9 m free throw.

Punishments

A free throw is awarded for slight infringements of the rules. A penalty throw is awarded when an infringement spoils a certain goal scoring chance. The throw is taken from the seven-metre line.

Players are given a yellow card in the first instance. For more serious infringements or if a yellow card has already been received, then the player will receive a two-minute suspension.

If a player receives three, two minute suspensions or commits a serious foul then he/she will receive an instant disqualification (red card) or an exclusion if violence is involved.