What is handball? Rules explained and how it is applied in 2024/25

At every level, from the World Cup final to Sunday league, it's a topic that never fails to stir up debate and spark controversy.

Football's decision-makers - the International Football Association Board (IFAB) - have tried to tweak and fine-tune the handball rule over the years in a bid to provide as much clarity as possible, but those changes often have the adverse effect - leaving players, fans and sometimes even the officials scratching their heads.

But, luckily, we're in the business of demystifying the beautiful game and arming you with what you'll need to end any debate among your friends.

RadioTimes.com has rounded up everything you need to know about the handball rule.

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What is the handball rule?

Put simply, the handball rule is in place to stop a player from gaining an advantage by playing the ball with their hand or arm.

If they're adjudged to have done so by the referee, a free-kick or penalty can be awarded against them.

A deliberate handball will usually result in the offending player being shown a yellow card, but if they're deemed to have stopped a goalscoring opportunity, then a red card can be given.

There are two key things that have to be clarified before we move on to the specifics.

The first is that, in relation to handball, the boundary between the arm and the shoulder, which the ball can legally be played with, is in line with the bottom of the armpit.

The second is that it is not an offence every time the ball touches the hand or arm of a player.

According to Law 12.1 of the IFAB rules, it is a foul if a player deliberately touches the ball with their hand or arm - usually by moving their hand or arm towards the ball.

It is also a foul if the contact comes as a result of a player trying to make their body unnaturally bigger. This is a regular point of contention, so to quote the laws: "A player is considered to have made their body unnaturally bigger when the position of their hand/arm is not a consequence of, or justifiable by, the player’s body movement for that specific situation.

"By having their hand/arm in such a position, the player takes a risk of their hand/arm being hit by the ball and being penalised."

The proximity of the player from where the ball was struck is often taken into consideration when referees are judging whether a deliberate action has been taken.

Additionally, a goal can be ruled out for handball if it has been scored either directly from a player's arm or hand - no matter the intent - or immediately after they have played the ball with their hand or arm.

Goalkeepers are allowed to play the ball with any part of their body inside their only penalty area, but once they leave the safety of the 18-yard box, those same rules apply to them.

How is handball being applied in 2024/25?

IFAB issued a clarification on Law 12 ahead of the 2024/25 season which states:

• Clarification that non-deliberate handball offences for which penalties are awarded are to be sanctioned in the same way as fouls which are an attempt to play the ball or a challenge for the ball.

Essentially, whether you mean it or not, if that ball strikes your arm, you're in trouble.

From 2023/24 onwards, UEFA introduced some guidelines in an attempt to introduce more consistency to its implementation.

These include recommendations that handball should not be called if the ball has deflected off another part of a player's body, as well as more leniency toward showing yellow and red cards to players after non-intentional handballs.

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