Rule 17 - The Punishments

17:1
A warning can be given for:

a. infractions concerning "the Approach to the Opponent" (5:6, 8:3).

A warning shall be given for:

b. such infractions concerning "the Approach to the Opponent" which are to be punished progressively (8:4);
c. infractions when the opponents are executing a formal throw (16:7);
d. unsportsmanlike conduct by a player or team official (17:11, 17:12a and c).

17:2
The referee shall indicate the warning to the guilty player or official and to the timekeeper/scorekeeper by holding up a yellow card.

Note:

The yellow card should measure about 9 x 12 cm.

An individual player should not be given more than one warning, and a team should not be given more than 3 warnings.

A player who has already had a 2-minute suspension should not subsequently be given a warning.

No more than one warning should be given to the officials of a team.

17:3
A suspension (2 minutes) shall be given:

a. for a faulty substitution or illegal entering of the court (4:4-6);
b. for repeated infractions concerning "The Approach to the Opponent", which are of the type that they are to be punished progressively (8:4);
c. for repeated unsportsmanlike conduct by a player on the court (8:4, 17:11), or outside the court during a team time-out;
d. for failure to put the ball down on the floor when a decision is taken against the team which is in possession of the ball (13:8);
e. for repeated infractions when the opponents are executing a formal throw (16:7);
f. as a consequence of a disqualification of a player or team official (17:5).

In exceptional circumstances, a suspension can be given without a prior warning.

17:4
The referee shall clearly indicate the suspension to the guilty player and to the timekeeper/scorekeeper through the prescribed hand signal, i.e., one arm raised with two fingers extended.

The suspension is always for a playing time of 2 minutes; the third suspension for the same player always leads to a disqualification (17:5e).

The suspended player is not allowed to participate in the game during his suspension time, and the team is not allowed to replace him on the court.

The suspension period begins when play is restarted with a whistle signal.

A 2-minute suspension carries over to the second half of the game if it has not been completed by the end of the first half.

The same applies from regulation time to overtime and during overtime.

17:5
A disqualification shall be given:

a. if a player who is not entitled to participate enters the court (4:3, 17:6);
b. for serious infractions concerning "the Approach to the Opponent" (8:5);
c. for repeated unsportsmanlike conduct by a team official, or by a player who is outside the court (17:6, 17:11, 17:12d; see, however, 17:3c);
d. for seriously unsportsmanlike conduct (8:6) by a player or a team official (17:6, 17:11, 17:12b and d);
e. because of a third suspension to the same player (17:4);
f. for an assault by a team official (17:6, 17:7 Note).

The disqualification of a player or a team official during the playing time always leads to a 2-minute suspension, i.e., the team's strength on the court is reduced by one.

17:6
The referee shall indicate the disqualification to the guilty player or official and to the timekeeper/scorekeeper by holding up a red card.

A disqualification of a player or team official is always for the entire remainder of the playing time. The player or official must leave the court and the substitution area immediately.

The requirement to leave the substitution area also means that the player or official must move away from any location where he could have an influence on the team.

A disqualification reduces the number of players, or officials, that is available to the team (except as in 17:12b). The team is, however, allowed to increase the number of players on the court following the expiration of the 2-minute suspension (see Note 4:6).

Note:

The red card should measure approximately 9 x 12 cm.

17:7
An exclusion shall be given: in the event of an assault during the playing time, also outside the playing court (2:1, 2:2, 2:7, 8:7, 17:8-9).

Note:

Assault is defined as a deliberate and particularly forceful physical action (8:7) against the body of another person (player, referee, timekeeper/scorekeeper, official or spectator).

Spitting is regarded as assault, for the purpose of this rule.

17:8
The referees shall call a "time-out" and inform the guilty player and the timekeeper/scorekeeper directly.

The prescribed hand signal to be used by the referee in front of the player is to cross the arms in face height.

An exclusion is always for the entire remainder of the playing time, and the team must continue with one player less on the court.

The excluded player must not be replaced and must leave both the court and the substitution area immediately.

17:9
If a player who has just been given a 2-minute suspension is guilty of another infraction before the game is restarted, then only the most severe one of the applicable punishments shall be given.

17:10
If a goalkeeper is suspended, disqualified, or excluded, another player must take up the goalkeeper position (4:1).

17:11
The referees have to warn a player whom they find guilty of unsportsmanlike conduct, irrespective of whether this takes place on or outside the court (17:1d).

If the conduct is repeated, then a player who is on the court shall be suspended (17:3c), whereas a player who is outside the court (a substitute or a suspended player) shall be disqualified (17:5c, 17:6).

A team official who is guilty of unsportsmanlike conduct shall be given a warning (17:1d). He shall be disqualified if the conduct is repeated (17:5c, 17:6).

If unsportsmanlike conduct or an assault takes place when the game is already interrupted, then the game shall be restarted in a manner which corresponds to the reason for that interruption.

Note:

Physical and verbal expressions which are incompatible with the spirit of good sportsmanship are to be regarded as constituting unsportsmanlike conduct.

It is to be punished as unsportsmanlike or seriously unsportsmanlike conduct, if a team official enters the court without permission (4:4).

If a player or team official is guilty of several offences (infractions, unsportsmanlike conduct, assault) simultaneously or in direct sequence, which warrant different punishments, then only the most severe one of these punishments shall be given.

17:12
Unsportsmanlike conduct or an assault taking place on the premises where a game is played, shall be punished as follows:

Before the game:

a. a warning shall be given in the case of unsportsmanlike conduct (17:1d);
b. a disqualification shall be given in the case of seriously unsportsmanlike conduct or assault (17:5d and f), but the team is allowed to start with 12 players;

During an intermission:

c. a warning shall be given in the case of unsportsmanlike conduct (17:1d);
d. a disqualification shall be given in the case of repeated or seriously unsportsmanlike conduct or in the case of an assault (17:5c, d, f);

After the game:

e.a written report.


16. The Execution of the Formal Throws = Contents of IHF Rules = 18. The Referees