This rule explains what players can do to gain possession of the ball and what they can do once they have it.
Possession means holding the ball with one or both hands, or having one or both hands on the ball while it is on the ground.
Any player with possession may pass the ball using one or both hands.
A Goal Shooter or Goal Attack in the goal circle may either pass or shoot for goal.
To gain possession of the ball, a player may:
Catch it with one or both hands.
Roll it to themselves.
Catch it after it bounces off the goalpost.
Bat it once, then catch it.
Bounce it once, then catch it.
Touch it in an uncontrolled way once or more, then catch it.
Without taking possession, a player can:
Bat or bounce the ball to another player.
Bat it once, then bat or bounce it to another player.
Bounce it once, then bat or bounce it to another player.
Touch it in an uncontrolled way once or more, then bat or bounce it to another player.
Once a player has gained possession of the ball they must pass or shoot within three seconds.
After releasing the ball, a player cannot touch it again until it has touched another player or the goalpost.
It doesn't matter if it bounces on the ground - it's still repossession!
📽️ Watch the videos below for an overview of the rules of playing the ball