Federation promoted the expansion of the related sport of team handball, but no further foreign countries would adopt Czech handball. In 1954, there were 26,125 registered players in 447 clubs, the largest number of registered player to date. Since 1941, a men's and women's 1st league have been competing. There is also the men's 2nd league and regional championships. Rules The rules are quite similar to those of team handball, but there are also some major differences: size of the field: 45 × 30 meters size of the goal: height 240 cm, width 200 cm size of the ball: 580 to 605 mm the field is divided into three areas: defence third, middle third, offence third player positions are called: goalkeeper (1), defender (1), halfback (2), forward (3) the player cannot hold the ball longer than three seconds, he or she can throw the ball upon the head or bounce ball back off ground – maximum of two times, no limit in steps shooting on the goal is made in front of the goal area – leaning out or jumping is possible, but the fall has to be outside the goal area goalkeeper and defender can step into their own goal area; forwards can step in the opponent's goal area, but they cannot shoot from there defender and halfbacks cannot step in the offence third, forwards cannot step in the defence third, and there are some more rules for crossing between the thirds players may be sent off for five (single yellow) or ten minutes (double yellow) External links Czech handball federation (cz) Short video Video from final tournament of the Czech Cup Handball Games and sports introduced in 1905 20th-century establishments in Bohemia