Reglement

Tournament Schedule

The sports program of the tournament is as follows: 18 April, 8:00 - 21:00 = Preliminary groups 19 April, 8:00 - 21:00 = Preliminary groups 20 April, 8:00 - 21:00 = Main groups, Play-off A and Play-off B 21 April, 8:00 - 17:00 = Semi-final matches, 3rd place matches and Final matches of Play-off A, Award ceremony. Play-off, Semi-final and Final matches of Play-off B.

Categories and Player Participation

The following categories are announced for the Prague Handball Cup 2025:

MA - Boys 2006-2007 WA - Girls 2006-2007

MB - Boys 2008-2009 WB - Girls 2008-2009

MC - Boys 2010-2011 WC - Girls 2010-2011

MD - Boys 2012-2013 WD - Girls 2012-2013

ME - Boys 2014 and younger WE - Girls 2014 and younger

Older players are not allowed to participate outside the boundaries of each category. If a player, who is older than the rules of the tournament allow, enters the match, the team will be penalized for the respective matches with loss by default. A younger player is allowed to play in the respective category. Younger players may only compete in the category one higher than the one to which they belong by year of birth, meaning players from category E can play in category D, players from category D can play in category C, and so on. Each player can play for only one team within one category.

In the MD and ME categories, up to three girls are allowed in one team. In the WE category, up to three boys are allowed to play in one team. Each such player can only play for one team within category E or D.

Clubs, school teams or regional selections can start in the tournament.

Verification

A team leader may request the verification of a player's identity (hereinafter referred to as "verification") at any time during a match. A fee of CZK 250 or EUR 10 must be paid for each player being verified to the Hall Supervisor before the verification begins (with a receipt provided). The verification will take place at the next stoppage of play.

The verification is carried out by the match referee or Jury members in the presence of the responsible team leaders and the Hall Supervisor. The verification is performed by checking the details on the match documents against the photograph and information found on an official identity document, such as a passport, national ID card, or EU ID card.

The result of the verification will be accurately recorded in the match report. The particular match will be completed as scheduled. If it is determined that the player’s participation was unauthorized, the player will be excluded from the remainder of the match. The Hall Supervisor will report this to the tournament Jury. The Jury will then decide whether the match result should be lost by default or whether the result achieved on the field should stand. The result achieved on the field may be upheld if it is more favorable to the team that requested verification than a score of 5:0.

If the player does not have a valid document during the verification, they must present it before the start of the team’s next match (if it is played on the same day) or no later than the end of the playing day to the Hall Supervisor where the verification took place. If this is not possible within the given time frame, the player must present the document at the Tournament Office along with the team leader. The verification will then be carried out by a member of the Jury or the Hall Supervisor of the relevant hall. If it is confirmed that the player’s participation was legitimate, the result of the completed match will remain valid.

In play-off matches, if a player fails to present a valid document within 30 minutes after the match has ended, the result will be lost by default in favor of the opposing team. The team that requested the verification and lost the play-off match must wait for the resolution of the verification. If it is determined that the player’s participation was unauthorized, the requesting team will continue in the competition.

In the case of a justified verification, the match will be won by default in favor of the opposing team by a score of 5:0, or the tournament Jury may decide to uphold the result achieved on the field. In this case, the fee will be refunded. If the verification is found to be unjustified, the fee will be retained by the organizer.

Roster

Every club that has signed up for the tournament is obliged to fill out a list of all participants (the so-called club roster) electronically in the club zone called My PHC. In this list, it is necessary to assign the players and leaders to the teams of the respective categories (the so-called team roster). Players or team leaders, who are not included in the team roster cannot start the match.

Club or team rosters must be completed by the club at latest at the time of accreditation of the team upon arrival, otherwise the team cannot be accredited. Changes in the club roster (with the exception of increasing the number of participants) can be made by clubs until midnight of April 17. After that, changes can only be made in the Tournament office.

Before the match, the team leader always submits a legible list of players, including jersey numbers and leaders, who will participate for the team in the match (the so-called match roster). The scorekeeper of the match then marks these players and the leader in the electronic system as participants of the match.

Match

Each team will play at least 6 matches. All matches are played for 2 x 15 minutes with a 2-minute break to change sides. Teams are not obliged to change sides at half-time if they agree to do so and notify the match referee of their choice before the match. Match participants are obliged to follow the times specified in the match schedule. The waiting time is 5 minutes. If the team is not ready to play after the waiting time, the result will be won by default with a score 5:0 in favor of the present opponent. In exceptional cases, the tournament jury can postpone the start of the match, or to order the match to be played at an alternate time.

Two referees are assigned to each match.

No later than 10 minutes before the start of the match, each team:

submits a properly and legibly completed match roster (the forms will be received upon arrival or can be downloaded from the website)
reports the color of the jerseys

All players must have a number on their jersey that matches the numbers on the match roster. Numbers must be on the back of the jersey. In the same match, it is not possible for several players to use the jersey with the same number. In the case of matching jersey colors, the team listed in the second place must change the jersey color.

Each player must have his own ID card with photo at the match, e.g. passport, ID card or European Union ID card. Each participant (player or official) must also have a completed Activity card issued by the organizer with them during the match.

Rules

The matches will be played according to the international rules approved by the IHF with the following modifications (these do not apply to final matches and 3rd place matches): – time does not stop during the 7-meter throw or during the suspension, – teams are not allowed to take a time-out.

If a player or official receives a blue card, he/she is automatically suspended from participating in the nearest following match.

The team leader must be at least 18 years old on the day the tournament starts (April 18, 2025).

An official protest can be submitted to the Hall Supervisor within 15 minutes after the end of the match in written form with a deposit of CZK 1 000 or EUR 40. If the protest is denied, the deposit will be forfeited in favor of the organizer.

The organizer reserves the right to exclude from the tournament a team that arbitrarily leaves the playing court during the match. The results of this team will be annulled.

Some courts will not have a throw-off area.

All cases not mentioned in the IHF Handball Rules or in these official tournament regulations will be decided by the tournament jury.

Balls

The organizer allows to play with regular handballs as well as with special balls, on which resin cannot be used ("resin-free" balls), with dimensions specified in the international handball rules:

IHF 3 or resin-free IHF 3: MA
IHF 2 or resin-free IHF 2: MB, MC, WA, WB
IHF 1 or resin-free IHF 1: MD, WC, WD
IHF 0 without resolution of regular and resin-free: ME, WE

Resin-free balls must be certified by the IHF with "IHF approved PRO resin free" or "IHF approved resin free". The final matches will be played with Molten balls provided by the organizer for these matches.

Use of resin

The organizer in agreement with the sports hall operators has established the following rules for the use of handball resin (the term "use of resin" is defined as resin placed on any part of the body or equipment and on the ball. A “resined ball” is defined as a ball that leaves a visible mark on the playing surface when it comes into contact with it.) The Prague Handball Cup is played either in halls with a prohibition or with limited use of handball resin.

Halls with a prohibition of the use of handball resin

In such marked halls, the use of resin is strictly forbidden in the entire area of the hall (playing court, dressing rooms, auditorium, areas around the playing court, etc.). The use of regular and resin-free balls is allowed in the halls where resin is forbidden. The ball for the match is provided by the team listed first in the draw.

These halls are mainly used for teams from age categories C, D and E.

A team that violates the prohibition of resin on the playing court during the match will be punished with the following game consequences:

a) a warning in the case of the first violation detected during the tournament b) a loss by default (0:5) against the guilty team in the case of the second violation during the tournament c) possible disqualification from the tournament in the case of further violations

A team that violates the prohibition of using resin outside the playing court (or on the playing court when not playing) will be punished with a penalty of CZK 1 000 or EUR 40.

The list of halls with a prohibition of the use of resin will be published on the website.

Halls with limited use of handball resin

In such marked halls, the use of resin is strictly forbidden in the entire area of the hall (dressing rooms, auditorium, areas around the playing court, etc.) except for the playing court. The resin has to be placed in the substitution area in a clean protective cover.

In halls with limited use of resin it is allowed to use only a regular ball. The ball for the match is provided by the team listed first in the draw. In these halls preference is given to teams in the A and B age categories in the draw.

Any team that violates the prohibition of using resin outside the playing court will be punished with a penalty of CZK 1 000 or EUR 40.

The list of halls with limited use of resin will be published on the website.

Rights of the Hall Supervisor and referees

In the case of a violation of the prohibition of the use of resin, the Hall Supervisor (delegated representative of the organizer) is authorized in the cases defined in this reglement:

a) to charge a penalty on the spot b) to stop the match c) in cooperation with the referees, to deal with the game consequences

In the case of a violation of the prohibition of the use of resin during a match, the referee is authorized to decide about the playing consequences.

Competition System

The competition system is the same for all age categories.

Preliminary Groups

the teams are drawn into groups of 6 - 8 teams
a round-robin format is played
the top three teams from each Preliminary Group advance to the Main Groups
the remaining teams continue in Play-off B

Main Groups

based on on their placement in the Preliminary Groups, teams are seeded into Main Groups, each consisting of 3 teams
each Main Group is composed of teams from different Preliminary Groups
a round-robin format is played
only the winner of each Main Group advances to Play-off A

Play-off A

the winning teams from the Main Groups are seeded in Play-off A
it is played in a knock-out format
the losing semi-finalists will play the 3rd place match

Play-off B

based on their placement in the Preliminary Groups, teams are seeded into Play-off B
it is played in a knock-out format

The organizer reserves the right to modify the competition system depending on the number of registered teams in each age category. Any modification of the competition system will be announced no later than 14 days before the start of the tournament.

Ranking regulation

To determine rankings in the Preliminary and Main Groups, the first applicable criterion from the following list will be used:

1) Higher number of points earned in the group 2) Higher number of points earned in head-to-head matches 3) Greater goal difference in head-to-head matches 4) Higher number of goals scored in head-to-head matches 5) Greater goal difference from all matches in the group 6) Higher number of goals scored in all matches in the group 7) Draw

In case a knock-out stage match, a final and 3rd place match ends in a draw, the match will be decided by a "shoot-out". In category E, drawn results will be decided by seven-meter throws instead of “shoot-out”. The procedure for performing seven-meter throws is the same as for the “shoot-out”.

Shoot-out

The team leader will select 5 players (who are eligible to play) who will take turns with the opposing players in the “shoot-out” attacks. Players suspended by two-minute suspension, which has not yet expired at the end of regulation, or those who have been disqualified, cannot participate in the “shoot-out”.

Before the “shoot-out”, the referees use the toss to determine the starting team. The toss winner has the right to choose whether his team prefers to attack or catch first.

At the start of the actual attack, the attacking goalkeeper must stand on the goal line with at least one foot. The attacking player with the ball must stand with at least one foot on the 9-meter line (anywhere on the court). When the referee whistles, the player passes the ball back to his goalkeeper on the goal line. During the pass, the ball is not allowed to touch the ground. Once the ball has left the player’s hand the attacking goalkeeper may move forward and must pass the ball within 3 seconds to his teammate, who is running towards the opponent’s goal. During this pass, the ball is not allowed to touch the ground, also. The player must catch the ball and try to score a goal without dribbling or any other handball rule violation. Both goalkeepers must remain in their goal areas!

If the attacking goalkeeper or the player violates a rule, the attack is considered unsuccessful. The team that scores more goals from 5 attacks is the winner. If both teams score the same number of goals, the “shoot-out” continues with one attack for each team, until the final decision has been reached. At this stage, the team that performed the last attack of the original five-attack “shoot-out” attacks first. The following attacks can be performed by any eligible players except for the condition stated in the first paragraph.

An instructional video for the “shoot-out” can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrMZ_hdaurs.

Tournament jury

The jury of the tournament consists of:

Miroslav Šajner
Tomáš Březina
Ondřej Šimůnek

Halls

The tournament is played in sports halls with official court size. Only categories E and D can play in halls with a smaller court of 36 x 18m.

Guidelines for behavior in the halls

Due to the limited number of changing rooms in the halls, the changing rooms are not locked.
The organizer is not responsible for belongings left in the changing rooms and in all other areas of the sports halls.
Warming up with the ball is only allowed on the playing court.
Loud reproduction of music, drumming, etc. is not allowed in some halls (it is always necessary to follow the instructions of the organizer).
It is forbidden to bring and consume food on the playing court in all halls.
Spectators and all participants must not interfere inappropriately with the course of the match or behave inappropriately towards the teams, referees and other participants.
Each team is responsible for the behavior of its supporters. Inappropriate behavior or actions by supporters may lead to the expulsion of the team from the tournament.

The organizer has the right to expel persons violating the above provisions from the area of the sports venue. Referees of a match affected by such a violation are entitled to suspend the match until remedial action is taken.

Medical service

All participants compete at their own risk. A medical service is present in the halls for first aid and the necessary treatment of minor injuries. This service is provided free of charge. In case of an injury that requires treatment in a hospital, the cost of treatment, possibly hospital stay, participants pay for themselves. It is recommended to always have your health insurance card with you, or proof of insurance abroad.

Ceremonies

As part of the program of the final day, two medal ceremonies will take place.

The first ceremony will follow the end of the final match of Play-off A category MC. Teams placed 1st and 2nd in the categories WE, ME, WD, MD, WC and MC will be awarded.

The second ceremony will take place after the final match of Play-off A category MA. Teams placed 1st and 2nd in the WB, MB, WA and MA categories will be awarded.

The awarding of prizes to the teams placed in 3rd and 4th place will take place immediately after the match for 3rd place of Play-off A.

The winning teams of Play-off B will receive awards after the final match.

Awards

Play-off A The winning teams will receive an original cup and a set of gold medals (max. 16 per team). The teams placed in 2nd place will receive an original cup and a set of silver medals (max. 16 per team). The teams placed in 3rd place will receive an original cup and a set of bronze medals (max. 16 per team). The teams placed in 4th place will receive an original cup.

Play-off B

The winning team in each category will receive small souvenirs with tournament motifs (max. 16 per team).

The Best Players

Based on the performances in the Play-off A final matches, the best players from each final match will be selected to receive the award. The announcement will take place immediately after the end of each final match.

Super Cup

The most successful club of the tournament will receive the original Super Cup. The winner will be the club whose teams, registered under one club ID, obtains the highest number of points for placement in each category.

Point system:

category winner = 50 points
2nd place = 30 points
3rd place = 20 points
4th place = 10 points
defeated quarterfinalists (5th - 8th place) = 5 points

In the case of a draw between two or more clubs, the club with fewer teams participating in the tournament will be ranked higher. If the number of teams is also equal, the average number of points scored by all the club’s teams in their matches will determine the winner.