Rule 2 - The Playing Time

2:1
The playing time for all male and female teams with players of age 16 and above is 2 halves of 30 minutes with a half-time break of 10 minutes.

The playing time for youth teams is 2 x 25 minutes in the age group 12-16 and 2 x 20 minutes in the age group 8-12, in both cases with a half-time break of 10 minutes. For "Minis", i.e., basically children under age 8, the playing time is 2 x 10 or 2 x 15 minutes with a half-time break of 10 minutes.

The playing time for youth teams is 2 x 25 minutes in the age group 12-16 and 2 x 20 minutes in the age group 8-12, in both cases with a half-time break of 10 minutes. For "Minis", i.e., basically children under age 8, the playing time is 2 x 10 or 2 x 15 minutes with a half-time break of 10 minutes.

Note:

The cut-off dates for the age groups at youth tournaments are announced in the invitations to such tournaments and should be noted.

2:2
The playing time begins with the court referee's whistle for the initial throw-off. It ends with the automatic final signal from the public clock or the final signal from the timekeeper.

Infractions and unsportsmanlike conduct which take place before, or simultaneously with, the final signal are to be punished, also if this cannot be done until after the signal.

The court referee ends the game only after the necessary free-throw or 7-meter throw has been taken and its result has been established. An infraction during the execution of such a throw cannot, however, lead to a free-throw in the opposite direction.

Note:

If a public clock with an automatic final signal is not available, the timekeeper shall use a table clock or a stopwatch and end the game with a final signal.

If a public clock is used, it should, if possible, be set to run from 0 to 30 minutes.

2:3
The teams change ends for the second half of the game.

2:4
The referees decide if and when the playing time is to be interrupted and when it is to be restarted.

They give the timekeeper a signal when the playing time is to be interrupted (time-out) and restarted.

Interruption of playing time is to be indicated to the timekeeper through three short blasts on the whistle and the "T" hand signal.

The whistle must always be blown to indicate the restart of the game after a time-out (16:3a).

2:5
The throw must be retaken, if the final signal sounds when a free-throw or a 7-meter throw is being executed or when the ball is already in the air. The immediate result of the retaken throw is to be established before the referees end the game.

Infractions or unsportsmanlike conduct which take place during the execution of such a free-throw or 7-meter throw must be punished.

2:6
If the referees determine that the timekeeper has given the final signal too early, they must keep the players on the court and play the remaining time.

The team which was in possession of the ball at the time of the premature signal will remain in possession when the game resumes.

If the first half of a game has been terminated too late, the second half must be shortened correspondingly.

2:7
Overtime is played, following a 5-minute break, if a game is tied at the end of the normal playing time and a winner has to be determined. A coin toss determines ball possession and the right to choose ends.

The overtime period always consists of 2 halves of 5 minutes. The teams change ends at half-time but there is no half-time break.

If the game is again tied after a first overtime period, a second period is played after a 5-minute break and coin toss. This overtime period also has 2 halves of 5 minutes.

If the game is still tied, the winner will be determined in accordance with the rules for the particular competition.

1. The Playing Court === Contents of IHF Rules === 3. The Ball