Section 3: Playing Area
3.1 Court Dimensions
The playing court measures 40 m x 20 m (131 ft x 66 ft), with a safety zone of at least 1 m along the sidelines and 2 m behind each goal line. The court surface is typically hardwood, synthetic, or rubberised flooring and must be flat and non-slip (IHF Rule 1).
3.2 Key Court Markings
- Goal area line (6 m arc): A quarter-circle arc drawn 6 m (19.7 ft) from each goal post, connected by a straight line 3 m from the goal line parallel to it. Only the goalkeeper may occupy this zone during active play (IHF Rule 1).
- Free-throw line (9 m arc): A dashed arc 9 m (29.5 ft) from the goal, used for free-throw restarts after fouls between the 6 m and 9 m lines (IHF Rule 1).
- 7-metre line: A 1 m (3.3 ft) long line parallel to the goal line at 7 m (23 ft) distance, used for penalty throws (IHF Rule 1).
- Goalkeeper restraining line (4 m line): A 15 cm (5.9 in) line 4 m from the goal, marking the closest point the goalkeeper may advance during a 7 m throw.
- Centre line: Divides the court into two halves. Used for throw-offs to start each half and after every goal (IHF Rule 1).
- Substitution lines: Marked 4.5 m (14.8 ft) on either side of the centre line along the sideline closest to the team benches. Players must enter and exit the court between these lines (IHF Rule 1).
3.3 Team Bench and Officials Table
Each team's bench area is positioned along the same sideline as the substitution area. The officials' table (timekeeper and scorekeeper) is at the centre of the sideline. A team may register up to 16 players (IHF Rule 4:1) and, following the amendment effective 1 July 2025, up to 5 team officials per match — an increase from the previous limit of 4 — for a combined maximum of 21 persons in the playing and coaching contingent present at the bench (IHF Rule 4:2).
3.4 Coaching Zone
Amended effective 1 July 2025, the coaching zone (IHF Rule 1:11) was extended and now begins 3.5 m from the centre line and ends 8 m from the respective outer goal line, including, as far as possible, the area directly behind the team bench. Team officials must remain within this zone while communicating with players and referees during play, other than for permitted exceptions such as attending to an injured player on court (IHF Rule 1:11).