Rule 6 - The Goal Area

6:1
Only the goalkeeper is allowed to enter the goal area (see, however, 6:3). The goal area, which includes the goal area line, is considered entered when a court player touches it with any part of the body.

6:2
When a court player enters the goal area, the decisions shall be as follows:

free-throw, when a court player enters the goal area in possession of the ball (13:1c);
free-throw, when a court player enters the goal area without the ball but gains an advantage by doing so (13:1c, see however 6:2c);
7-meter throw, when a defending player enters the goal area and because of this gains an advantage over an attacking player who is in possession of the ball (14:1c).

6:3
Entering the goal area is not penalized when:

a player enters the goal area after playing the ball, as long as this does not create a disadvantage for the opponents;
a player enters the goal area without the ball and does not gain an advantage by doing so;
a defending player enters the goal area during or after an attempt to defend, without causing a disadvantage for the opponents;

6:4
The ball belongs to the goalkeeper when it is in the goal area.

It is not permitted to touch the ball when it is stationary or rolling in the goal area, or when it is held by the goalkeeper (13:1c). It is permitted, however, to play the ball when it is in the air above the goal area.

6:5
The goalkeeper shall put the ball back into play, when it ends up in the goal area.

6:6
Play shall continue if a player of the defending team touches the ball when in the act of defense, and the ball is caught by the goalkeeper or comes to rest in the goal area.

6:7
If a player intentionally plays the ball into his own goal area, the decisions shall be as follows:

goal, if the ball enters the goal;
7-meter throw, if the goalkeeper touches the ball and it does not enter the goal (14:1d);
free-throw, if the ball comes to a rest in the goal area or goes out over the outer goal line (13:1e);
play continues, if the ball traverses the goal area without being touched by the goalkeeper;

6:8
A ball which returns from the goal area out into the playing area remains in play.

5. The Goalkeeper = Contents of IHF Rules = 7. Playing the Ball