Editing Handball (section)

===Referees===
A handball match is adjudicated by two equal referees. Some national bodies allow games with only a single referee in special cases like illness on short notice. Should the referees disagree on any occasion, a decision is made on mutual agreement during a short timeout; or, in case of punishments, the more severe of the two comes into effect. The referees are obliged to make their decisions "on the basis of their observations of facts".<ref>Official rules, rule 17:11</ref> Their judgements are final and can be appealed against only if not in compliance with the rules. Officials can look to TV replays, as needed.

[[File:Kronau-Oestringen.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|The referees (blue shirts) keep both teams between them.]]

The referees position themselves in such a way that the team players are confined between them. They stand diagonally aligned so that each can observe one side line. Depending on their positions, one is called ''court referee'' and the other ''goal referee''. These positions automatically switch on ball turnover. They physically exchange their positions approximately every 10 minutes (long exchange), and change sides every five minutes (short exchange).

The IHF defines 18 hand signals for quick visual communication with players and officials. The signal for warning is accompanied by a [[Penalty card#Yellow card|yellow card]].<ref>Official rules, hand signal 16:2</ref> A disqualification for the game is indicated by a [[Penalty card#Red card|red card]],<ref>Official rules 16:7</ref> followed by a [[Penalty card#Blue card|blue card]] if the disqualification will be accompanied by a report.<ref>Official rules 16:8</ref> The referees also use whistle blows to indicate infractions or to restart the play.

The referees are supported by a ''scorekeeper'' and a ''timekeeper'' who attend to formal things such as keeping track of goals and suspensions, or starting and stopping the clock, respectively. They also keep an eye on the benches and notify the referees on substitution errors. Their desk is located between the two substitution areas.