Pivot, 6:0 defense, seven-meter throw: the Handball ABC breaks down every key term a total beginner needs to know, in plain, friendly language.
## Introduction "I'm standing in the gym, the coach yells 'Kreisläufer' and '6:0' – and I have no clue what that means." Sound familiar? Almost everyone feels this at the start. Handball has its own language, just like any team sport, but you can pick it up in a few minutes of reading – and after that you'll understand every one of our handball guides without constantly looking things up.
Let's start with what you see and hear the moment the ball starts rolling.
The goal area (Torraum), also called the circle or 6-meter circle (Kreis, 6-Meter-Kreis), is the half-circle right in front of each goal. It belongs to the goalkeeper only – as a field player you're allowed to jump in and release the ball mid-air, but you can't land or stand inside it.
The free-throw line, also called the 9-meter line (Freiwurflinie, 9-Meter-Linie), marks the distance from which a free throw (Freiwurf) is taken – usually after minor rule violations like a steps infringement or holding the ball too long.
A seven-meter throw (Siebenmeter, 7-Meter) is handball's penalty shot, comparable to a penalty kick in soccer: you stand alone in front of the goalkeeper, seven meters from goal, and nobody's allowed to interfere.
Break the rules more seriously and you get a two-minute suspension (Zeitstrafe): off the court for two minutes, your team plays a man down. Repeated or harder fouls are usually preceded by a warning (Verwarnung), the yellow card – a shot across the bow before the suspension.
And when a coach wants to pull the emergency brake because his team is losing its rhythm, he calls a timeout (Auszeit): a one-minute break to regroup.
Six field players plus a goalkeeper per team, but they don't all do the same job.
This is where it usually gets cryptic for beginners, because everything sounds like a phone number.
Defense (Abwehr, also Deckung) is simply your team's defensive system. The number combination behind it describes how the six field players are staggered: the first number shows how many players stand on the back line right in front of the goal area, the second how many operate further forward.
A block (Block) is the attempt to intercept a shot with your arms directly in its flight path, before the ball even builds up speed.
These words come up in practically every training session.
The quick, wrist-accelerated standard pass (Schlagwurfpass) is your go-to pass during a game.
The standing throw (Standwurf) is your first real shot: both feet stay on the ground, power comes from the hips, torso, and shoulder, with the arm following last like a whip.
The jump shot (Sprungwurf) builds on that: you jump while shooting, which gains you height over the defense and a more open shooting angle. It's the standard shot against a closed defense.
Dribbling (Prellen) means repeatedly bouncing the ball with your fingertips to move with it without breaking the steps rule.
A fast break (Tempogegenstoß, also Konter) is the quick sprint forward the instant your team wins the ball – before the opposing defense can even run back and organize. It typically unfolds in three waves: the direct sprint, the fast-following second wave, and the defense's organized retreat.
Assist pass (Anspiel) simply means passing the ball to a teammate to start or continue an attack – often the goalkeeper's first pass after a save.
The takeoff (Absprung) is the moment you push off the ground for a jump shot or an action inside the goal area. How cleanly you land often decides your injury risk.
Two things you'll run into the moment you pack your first bag.
Resin (Harz, also called handball wax/Handballwachs) is a sticky substance that makes the ball practically stick to your hand – it makes catching, passing, and feints easier. Many gyms restrict or ban it because it dirties the floor, so check with your club first.
Ball size (Ballgröße) depends on age and gender: size 3 for men and male youth over 16, size 2 for women and female youth, size 1 for kids. An oversized ball wrecks your grip and your throw, no matter how good your technique is.
Remember defensive systems like this: the first number always means "how many stay home at the goal area," the second "how many go out on patrol." So 6:0 means everyone stays home, nobody patrols. 5:1 means almost everyone stays home, one goes forward. Once that clicks, every tactical call suddenly sounds logical instead of like a string of random numbers.
### What is a pivot (Kreisläufer) in handball? The pivot is the attacking player who stands right at the opponent's goal area, in the middle of the defenders. Their job is to get open there, finish passes from the back court at close range, and open up space for teammates just by being a constant threat right under the defense's nose.
### What does 6:0 defense mean in handball? In a 6:0 defense, all six field players form one closed line directly in front of their own goal area. It's compact and hard to break through, but puts little pressure on the ball handler – which is why it's often combined with a player pushed forward, as in the 5:1 defense.
### What's the difference between a standing throw and a jump shot? In a standing throw (Standwurf), both feet stay on the ground throughout the shot – ideal for learning the correct throwing motion. In a jump shot (Sprungwurf), you also jump, gaining height over the defense and a more open angle on goal. It's the standard shot used against a closed defense.
### What is resin (Harz) in handball? Resin, also called handball wax, is a sticky substance that improves ball contact and makes catching, passing, and feints easier. Beginners don't need it, and many gyms even ban it because it dirties floors and walls – it's worth checking with your club before buying a can.
### What happens during a two-minute suspension in handball? During a two-minute suspension, you have to leave the court for two minutes while your team plays a man down. It's given for serious or repeated rule violations, often preceded by a warning (yellow card) that serves as a shot across the bow.
Handball: Getting Started Overview