How Long Is A Handball Game?

Handball is a fast, fun, and accessible sport that is played by all ages worldwide. It is also an Olympic event, and many countries have professional handball leagues. Have you ever wondered how long a handball game is? Keep reading for all the information you need to know about the length of a handball game and how the game clock works.

How Many Minutes Is Handball Played?

The total playing time of an adult league handball game is 60 minutes. The 60 minutes are split into two 30-minute halves. In between halves, there is a 10-minute halftime. With breaks and timeouts, the total elapsed time of the game is approximately 90 minutes. In under-16 leagues, there are two 25-minute halves with a 10-minute halftime. Kids’ leagues (ages 8 to 12) have even shorter games, with 20-minute halves and a 10-minute halftime.

Halves

The timed sections of handball are very simple. The game is split into two 30-minute halves for adult games. In between the two halves, there is a halftime intermission that lasts 10 minutes.

The Clock

The clock in handball starts from zero and counts up to 30 minutes for each half. Handball is a continuous game with very few times when the clock stops. Coaches are only allowed three timeouts for the entire duration of the game. Additionally, they cannot call more than two timeouts in a single half. Coaches can only call timeouts when the ball is in their team’s possession.

Since the game of handball is continuous, leading teams may be tempted to run the clock when they are in possession of the ball. There are many rules to prevent this. For example, when players are holding the ball, they cannot take more than three steps and must pass or shoot within three seconds. A violation of these rules gives the other team a free throw. If a referee feels that a team is stalling for time, they can penalize them.

Ties and Overtime

The team that wins a handball game is the team that has scored more points after both halves have been completed. For the knockout phases of major international tournaments, a tie is not permitted. In the instances where there must be a winner, up to two overtime periods may take place. Each period consists of two five-minute halves with a one-minute break in between.

If one team is in the lead at the end of the first overtime period, then they are declared the winners. If the score is still tied at the end of the first overtime period, a second period begins. The second overtime period is identical to the first one, and coaches are not allotted timeouts during overtime.

In the event that the score is still even after the two overtime periods, a shootout will take place. In a shootout, five team members are chosen to take a free shot at the goal, which is defended only by the goalie. The team members must take their throws from seven meters away. The team that throws the most goals after five attempts wins the game.

Olympic Handball Game Length

Like regular handball games, Olympic handball games last for two halves of 30 minutes each. The main difference from a regulation professional handball match is that Olympic handball matches have a 10-minute break between halves.

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