Scoring
IHF · 2025When a goal counts · Confirmation and the result
When a goal counts
The entire ball must cross the goal line. The thrower, a teammate or a team official must not have broken the rules before or during the throw. A defensive infringement does not cancel a goal if the ball still enters. Conversely, a referee, timekeeper or delegate stopping play before the ball fully crosses prevents a goal. If an outside person or object prevents an otherwise certain goal, the referees may award it. An own goal counts, except when it results directly from executing a goalkeeper throw.
Confirmation and the result
The goal-line referee confirms a goal with two short whistles and the goal signal. Once the whistle authorises the following throw-off, an awarded goal can no longer normally be cancelled; Rule 2:9 contains the timekeeping exception. If the half ends before the throw-off, the referees must still clearly confirm the goal. The team with more goals wins; equal totals are a draw unless competition procedures require a winner.
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