Rules July 2025 - Goal Area - Rule 6.2

Stricter definition of entering the goal area.

Referees will no longer have to estimate if a defender's step into the goal area is excessive.

Now, if a defender's foot merely touches the line during first contact, it's considered an infraction and will result in a free throw or a 7-meter shot, depending on the situation.

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

1. Goalkeeper throw when a player of the team in possession enters the goal area in possession of the ball or enters without the ball but gains an advantage by doing so (12:1);

2. Free throw when a court player of the defending team enters the goal area and gains an advantage, but without destroying a chance of scoring (13:1b; see also 8:7f);

3. 7-metre throw when a court player of the defending team enters the goal area and because of this destroys a clear chance of scoring (14:1a; see also 8:8i).

For purposes of this rule, the concept “entering the goal area” means touching the goal-area line, or clearly stepping into the goal area."

The four examples below illustrate the rule update:

In each of the examples below, the correct decision is a 7-meter throw.