<p class="reg-lead">International Handball Federation Electronic Team Time-Out Regulations, in force from 1 July 2025.</p>
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<tr><td>In force</td><td><b>1 July 2025</b> — International Handball Federation</td></tr>
<tr><td>Structure</td><td>Stand-alone regulations, supplementing the Rules of the Game for Indoor Handball</td></tr>
<tr><td>Status</td><td><strong>Current edition</strong></td></tr>
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<h2>What these regulations govern</h2>
<p>A team may request a time-out directly by <strong>pressing a button (buzzer)</strong> on an electronic device, instead of by means of the green card. The buzzer is connected to the official scoreboard system; when it is pressed the clock stops immediately, the time-out begins automatically and <strong>an acoustic signal</strong> alerts everyone.</p>
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<h2>Rules and sanctions</h2>
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<li><b class="t">The valid moment of the request</b><strong>The moment the buzzer is pressed</strong> counts as the valid time of the time-out request.</li>
<li><b class="t">The general conditions continue to apply</b>The general rules on the number of time-outs continue to apply, and a request is permitted only when <strong>the ball is in that team's possession</strong>. Only team officials are authorised to make the request.</li>
<li><b class="t">A request while the opponent is in possession</b>If a team makes a request while the ball is in the opponent's possession — whether the ball is in play or not — there are three consequences: <strong>progressive punishment</strong> for the team official who pressed the buzzer, a <strong>7-metre throw</strong> for the team in possession, and <strong>the deduction of one time-out</strong> from the offending team.</li>
<li><b class="t">A request in a scoring situation</b>If the same act is committed while the opponent has a <strong>clear chance of scoring</strong>, the offending official is disqualified in accordance with Rule 8:10b (red and blue card).</li>
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<h2>Who this document matters to</h2>
<p>For team officials, the sanction for pressing the buzzer in error is severe and extends as far as disqualification. In disciplinary proceedings, this document also determines whose offence it is to press the buzzer at the wrong moment — the team official who pressed the button, not the team as a whole.</p>
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Notes related to the tag out

IHF Electronic Team Time-Out Regulations 2025