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ASOS HANDBALL

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.

1. Equipment/Set-Up:
KWCJAM will provide handballs for each game. Captains should agree on a crease before the game using the venue's existing lines. In addition, teams are responsible for keeping track of the score. Please designate one person/team to keep score. Each team should bring both light and dark coloured shirts to each and every game.
 

2. Game Time/Default:
Please arrive 15 minutes early so that you can start your games on time. Games are 55 minutes in length, without a break at halftime. Please agree on one person to act as timekeeper. Teams are comprised of five (5) players with a minimum of two (2) men or gender minority and two (2) women or gender minority players. A default will occur if any team cannot field a squad by 10 minutes after the official start time. A team can play with a minimum of 4 people, as long as two (2) are women or gender minority players and two (2) are men or gender minority players. Captains may agree to waive the rules regarding minimum people but this should be decided before the game starts. IF IT IS AGREED THAT THE GAME COUNTS, IT COUNTS!
 

3. General Rules:

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
   

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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.
• NO DRIBBLING ALLOWED AT ANY TIME!!
• Bounce passes are permitted
• Similar to the rules of ultimate, a team may keep possession of the ball as long as all passes are completed and no rules are broken. If the offensive team cannot complete the pass, then possession switches to the other team. 
• If a defensive player knocks down a pass, they take possession of the ball, regardless of them touching the ball last before it hits the ground. They may also intercept the ball and plays changes possession immediately after an interception. 
   

 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.
   

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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 step / 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 ie. out of bounds.
   

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Out of Bounds

• If a ball goes out of bounds (hits a sidewall), 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 misses, hitting the back wall, it is a "goalie's ball" from inside the crease.

Scoring

• A goal is scored by throwing the ball into the opposing team's net without stepping inside the goal crease area.
• 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.
• Once a shot is taken, there are only three possible outcomes: 
  • A goal is scored
  • The goalie makes the save and the ball is deflected out of the crease. This ball is LIVE and can be picked up by any player on the court.
  • The ball misses the net and strikes the back wall. The goalie takes possession of the ball, similar to a goal kick in soccer. 

Fouls

• 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.
   

4. Playoff Tie Breaking:
A game can end in a tie during the regular season. In the playoffs, a game that is tied at the end of regulation time is decided by a shoot-out; each team chooses three players, minimum one woman or gender minority and one man or gender minority players, 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.

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5. Rough Play:
ANY ROUGH OR PHYSICAL PLAY WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE EXPULSION FROM FURTHER LEAGUE PLAY AND MAY RESULT IN LIFETIME LEAGUE EXPULSION. PLEASE SEE THE SPORT AND SOCIAL CLUB POLICY SHEET FOR OUR OFFICIAL POLICY 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.