Handball goalkeeper

The handball goalkeeper (in Switzerland also called goalie) is the most defensive player of his team. Obviously, his main task is to prevent the other team from scoring a goal.

To avoid confusion, a handball goalkeeper has to wear a jersey that is different in colour to all the other jerseys of the players on the field, including the other team's goalkeeper. If such a jersey is not available the goalkeeper has to wear a that guarantees sufficient distinction between players involved. Most goalkeepers also wear special long trousers and male goalkeepers always wear a jockstrap (a undergarnment serving protection purpuses). Rule 4:9 (concerning equipment during the game) states that it is mandatory for the players to wear sports shoes during the games. Unlike in football, handball goalkeepers do not equip with gloves although this not prohibited by the rules. Gloves are in fact rejected because they are regarded as a sign of weakness amongst fellow goalkeepers. Additional protective gear like face masks and helmets had been discused in the early days of the game, but are nowadays prohibited, as are any items that could endanger the opposing players including piercings, necklaces as well as earrings and glasses.

All rules can be found on the IHF website.

A team has to appoint one player on the field as the goalie. However, a goalie can transition to a field player at any time during a game. In order to do this he needs to be substituted and change his goalie jersey to a field player’s jersey. A field player can assume the goalkeeper's position in the same manner. Rule 5 ''The Goalkeeper'' deals with all the rules pertaining to the goalie and a set of special rules about the goal area. Inside this area the goalkeeper is allowed to touch the ball with every part of his body in order to parry the ball. Additionally, several rules do not apply to the goalie inside the goal area. These rules are: the 3-second-rule (7:2), the 3-step-rule (7:3), the rule for bouncing the ball (7:4) and the multiple-touching-of-the-ball-rule (7:7). However, if the goalie purposefully delays playing the ball a referee can call passive gameplay.

The goalie is allowed to step out of the goal area and onto the playing field when not in possession of the ball at all times. While outside the goal area all rules pertaining to field players apply to him as well. Furthermore, he is allowed to step out of the goal area with the ball while he is still trying to get it under control (5:4). The goalkeeper is not allowed to leave the goal area with the ball under control if the referee has whistled for the execution of a goalkeeper-throw (5:6). This throw has to be executed within the goal area. Rule 5:7+8 stipulate that while standing inside the goal area the goalkeeper is not allowed to touch a rolling or stationary ball outside the goal area. Moreover, he is not allowed to re-enter the goal area from the playing field with the ball (5:9). The goalie must not touch the ball with his foot or the leg below the knee if the ball is moving out towards the playing area (5:10). During a 7-metre throw from the opposing team the goalkeeper is not allowed to cross the goalkeeper's restraining line (4-metre-line) before the ball has left the hand of the opposing player executing the throw (5.11).

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Wikipedia