court![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Hard rectangular surface (20 m x 40 m) on which a handball game is played; a game is made up of two 30-minute periods with a 10-minute break between them.
scorekeeper ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Official in charge of timing the game and suspensions and substitute player changes.
court referee ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Official responsible for applying the rules; positioned in the center of the court, this individual mainly signals player infractions.
sideline ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Line along the sides of the court; when the ball crosses this line, it is put back into play at the same place.
goal line referee ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Official responsible for applying the rules; positioned near the goal line, this individual signals infractions and decides if a goal counts.
players’ bench ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Area for substitute players and coaches; a team can have up to 12 players, seven of whom are on the court at one time.
goal line ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Line at the ends of the court that demarcates the play area; a goal is scored when the ball crosses this line.
goal area line ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Arc drawn 6 m from the goal; it demarcates the goal area.
free throw line ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Arc drawn 9 m from the goal; during a 7 m free throw, all players except the shooter must be outside the zone demarcated by this line.
penalty mark ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Line parallel to the goal line and 7 m from it; a 7 m free throw (a shot awarded after a penalty) is taken from behind this line.
secretary ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Official who keeps the lineup card and marks the scorecard (goals allowed, expulsions, etc.).
timekeeper ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Official in charge of timekeeping.
goal ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Cage made up of a net mounted on a frame; a team scores a point each time it succeeds in placing the ball in the opposing goal.
net ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Loosely stitched netting attached to the back of the post; it keeps the ball inside the goal.
goal area ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Semicircular zone reserved for the goalkeeper; a player with ball possession may jump above this area when taking a shot.
center line ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Line dividing the court into two zones, one for each team; throw-offs are held on this line at the start of a period and after a goal.