The goalkeeper throw
IHF · 2025Controlled possession and other awards · Taking the throw
Controlled possession and other awards
A goalkeeper throw follows an attacking goal-area infringement, the goalkeeper controlling both ball and body in the goal area, or the ball lying stationary there. It also follows an attacker touching a ball rolling in the area, or the ball crossing the outer goal line after the last touch by the goalkeeper or an opponent. The 2025 wording expressly requires control of both ball and body for the goalkeeper-control case. Once awarded, the ball is out of play; an intervening infringement generally does not change this restart.
Taking the throw
The goalkeeper normally throws without a whistle from inside the goal area to outside it. The throw is completed only when the ball fully crosses the goal-area line. Opponents may stand immediately outside that line, but must not touch the ball before it has fully crossed. A team playing without a goalkeeper must substitute a goalkeeper for a court player to take this restart; the referees decide whether a time-out is needed.
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