JAM Toronto

All Sorts of Sports: Handball

There is only one format of Handball under JAM rules. It is described in its entirety below.

JAM is for Everyone – Inclusion Statement

Our program offerings are designed to be inclusive for all members of the JAM community. Our goal is to create a welcoming gender policy that uplifts and supports each player where they are at. To ensure we can offer something for everyone, our programs may be offered in the following formats: Mixed-Gender, Women's, Men's, and Open.

Many of our league rules specify gender-based roster requirements, the goal of which is to ensure that each player has an equal opportunity to be included in gameplay.

Everyone participating in a JAM program is welcome to compete based on their gender identity and gender expression; regardless of their gender assigned at birth. Members whose gender identity does not align with the binary man/woman construct are welcome to play in all our mixed-gender and open programs.

Nonbinary, trans, genderqueer, and all other players who identify as a gender minority can count towards the roster minimums for either men or women in our mixed-gender leagues.

Game Time

All matches of Handball are 55-minutes in length. Please arrive early to ensure you get the full use of your allotted court time. Regardless of when your game begins your game will always end on time to allow the succeeding games to begin at their scheduled time.

Time Keeping: If you’re playing without an official score clock the JAM Ambassador on site will be keeping track of time and will determine the end of your game. In this instance, you will receive a warning indicating the final five (5) minutes of your game and a final signal for the end of your game. Once the final signal occurs your game is over.

Defaults: Teams will default a match if they cannot provide a full team 10 minutes after the scheduled start time.

Halftimes: There is no stoppage for halftime unless requested by one of the teams. If a half-time is requested then it must be accommodated by the opposing team.

Players

A full squad consists of five (5) players on each team.

Roster Numbers: Each team must have a minimum of two (2) women or gender minority players and two (2) men or gender minority players playing at all times.

Defaults: A default will occur if any team cannot field a squad of a minimum of 4 players 10 minutes after the official start time

Exceptions: Both teams can agree to play with any number of people on the court up to five (5) players, as long as roster minimums are met. If both teams agree then the game counts.

Playing Area

All Handball gyms/arenas vary in size and there is no set standard for an JAM Handball surface.

The setup for Handball consists of two (2) floor hockey nets (one on each side of the playing area) and one (1) dodgeball.

Handball courts also have a crease around each team’s net. If the goalie crease is not already marked by the JAM, then team captains should agree on a crease before the game begins (i.e. use of other markings within the gym for sports such as basketball and floor hockey would be ideal)

Equipment/Set Up

Team captains are responsible for bringing the one (1) supplied dodgeballs to each game. The two nets will be provided by the JAM unless otherwise noted.

Teams are also responsible for keeping track of the score. Please designate one person to keep track of the score.

Uniforms

Teams are required to bring both light and coloured shirts to every game. Team colours are posted on the JAM website in your schedule. If two teams have the same colour the team captains should contact each other to ensure that each team knows what colour to wear.

Defaults: There is no default for players that don’t wear the right colour. However, that player must do everything they can to ensure it’s not confusing for the opposition. Whether this means wearing a pinny, a hat, a teammate’s shirt, etc. Under no circumstances can a player purposefully deceive the opposition.

Handball 101

The object of Handball is to score more goals than the opposing team. A goal is scored when the ball has been thrown into the opposing teams net.

Initiating Play

Captains should flip a coin/throw rock/paper/ scissors to see who gets first possession.
Offensive team lines up on the centre line with the ball; defensive teams line up on their goal crease
Play is initiated by passing the ball sideways to another player, not forward over the line

Moving the Ball

A player may take 3 steps with the ball, after which time they must shoot or pass the ball. There is no other way to advance the ball.
After a player has taken their steps, they have 3 "stalls" (like "steamboats") to either pass or shoot the ball. Only the defensive player covering the person with the ball may call the stalls and they must be within 3-4 feet of the person they are counting stalls on. Stalls must be counted out loud "Stall 1, Stall 2, Stall 3", and only when the offensive person is not taking steps. If the ball is not released by the "3" of "Stall 3"; the ball is turned over to the defensive team at that spot. When a player gains possession of the ball, the stall count may begin. Once that player begins to take their steps, the stall count is to stop and resume at Stall 1 once the offensive player has stopped.
No player may contact the ball with their feet for any reason (foot blocking, stopping a ball from going out of bounds etc). Should this occur, it is a turnover.
If a player passes the ball to their teammate, and that teammate drops the ball, a turnover will occur and the other team will gain possession where the ball was dropped.
If a player passes or shoots the ball, and the opponent knocks the ball down and it hits the ground, the play is over and the opponent gains possession of the ball.
No dribbling is allowed at any time.
Bounce passes are permitted

The Crease

Please use the basketball key or the floor hockey goalie crease for tor the Handball goalie crease (approx. 3 metres)
The goalie is the only person allowed in the crease area. If a person possessing the ball enters the crease (including stepping on the line), a turnover occurs.
Defensive players cannot enter their own crease area.
If a player finds himself or herself in the crease, they must exit via the shortest route. They may not interfere with play on the way out.
When a crease infraction occurs, "CREASE" must be called out loud resulting in a turnover
No players on the sidelines may call crease infractions or get involved with any rule calls.

The Goalie

The goalie may take as many steps in the crease as they wish, and they have 10 stalls to release the ball.
If the goalie goes out of the crease, they are subject to the same 3 steps / 3 stall rule as everyone else. The goalie is the only one who can return to the crease. Goalies may only switch after a point is scored, or during a stop in play i.e. out of bounds.

Out of Bounds

If a ball goes out of bounds, it goes to the team who was not the last to touch it. The ball is put back into play from the sidelines like soccer or basketball.
If a shot is taken and bounces off of the floor, hits the goalie and goes out over the end line, a corner throw-in is given to the offensive team who made the shot.
If a shot is taken, does not bounce off the floor, hits the goalie and goes out over the end line, it is a "goalie's ball" from inside the crease.
If a shot is taken, hits the goalie (bounce or not) and goes straight out over the sideline, the ball goes to whichever team did not touch the ball last.
To score a goal, the ball must first bounce off the floor in front of the goal line and then continue into the back of the net (regardless of whether or not the goalie touched the ball). Goalies are responsible for their own rebounds.
If the ball does not bounce off of the floor and goes into the net, it is not a goal (regardless of whether or not the goalie touched the ball)
The shot must be released outside of the crease or above the crease (a player in the air). If a player does not release the ball before they touch the floor inside the crease, the goal/shot does not count.

JAM Rules and Exceptions

You must call your own fouls. Be generous with your calls - sportsmanship makes the game much more enjoyable to play.
Whenever a foul is called, the ball is turned over to the non-offending team for an indirect throw.
If a foul is disputed, the ball should go back to where it was before the foul was called. Only the two players involved with the foul may discuss the situation.
No body contact is permitted.
You may not strip the ball out of a player's hands while they are holding it.
You may not impede the movement of a player's arm to block a shot or pass
You may not make dangerous plays on defence or offence. You are to make a choice: "Can I play this ball safely?" If the answer is no, then you must "let it go."
If a person is standing on the crease defending against a shot with their arms held out and an offensive player touches their arms while making a shot, no foul has occurred.
If a defensive player is stationary and an offensive player makes contact with their body, an offensive foul has occurred (like a charge in basketball). If a defensive player steps into an offensive player a defensive foul has occurred.
Picks are not allowed. Any time an offensive player --either intentionally or unintentionally-- sheds their defender by running around another player or by having a player block their path, a foul has occurred. Play is stopped and the defender is allowed to regain position with their player.

Regular Season Matches

All regular season matches can end in a tie.

Playoffs Eligibility and Tiebreak

There must be a winner in a playoff match. In the event that the match ends in a tie, teams will partake in a shootout to determine a winner.

Each team chooses three players, minimum one woman or gender minority and one man or gender minority, and takes one shot each from outside the crease (a run-up of 5 paces is allowed and players can shoot while over the crease). After three shots, if still tied, teams continue taking single shots until one team has scored (and the other team does not). The order of shooters must be maintained.

Rough Play

Any rough or physical play will result in immediate expulsion from further league play and may result in a lifetime league expulsion. Please see the JAM General Policy for our official guidelines on this subject. It is recognized that incidental contact between players is inevitable; however, all players should go out of their way to avoid creating an unsafe play. This rule supersedes all others.

Please note that on-site staff members have full autonomy when supervising games. Games may be stopped entirely, players may be asked to leave the playing area or be removed from the game entirely under their discretion.

Alcohol

There are absolutely no alcoholic beverages permitted on JAM property. Any offenders will be asked to leave the league without refund. No exceptions.