The goal area
IHF · 2025Who may enter? · The ball inside the area
Who may enter?
The 6 m line belongs to the goal area. Touching it with any body part counts as entering. An attacker entering with the ball, or gaining an advantage without it, gives the opponents a goalkeeper throw. A defender entering and gaining an advantage concedes a free throw, or a 7 m throw if this destroys a clear scoring chance. Landing inside after releasing a shot is allowed when it does not disadvantage opponents; harmless entry without the ball is also exempt.
The ball inside the area
Only the goalkeeper may touch a ball rolling on the floor inside the area; it remains in play. A stationary ball there, or one controlled by the goalkeeper with body control, is out of play and requires a goalkeeper throw. Playing an airborne ball above the area is allowed under the ordinary ball-playing rules. Playing into your own area has different consequences: a goal if it enters the goal, a free throw if it stops there or the goalkeeper touches it without a goal.
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