The software that REALLY speaks Swiss handball
Paak already manages your members, CHF and TWINT payments, and teams. For SHV handball, it goes further: gender-offset age categories (girls U14/16/18 vs boys U15/17/19), Kinder-Lizenz animation/competition dual-track, dual registration A/B, Versichertennummer. Complementary to VAT and the Liveticker, not competing with them.
VAT + Paak — complementary, not competing
The SHV already runs its own tools: VAT (Verwaltungs- und Administrations-Tool, vat.handball.ch) for licence issuance, championship registrations and referee management; the Liveticker (mandatory electronic match sheet since 2025/26). You keep both. Paak does not try to replace them — we cover what these tools don't: multi-sport, CHF/TWINT payments outside the licence, sponsors, tactical live scoring, individual performance, volunteers.
Stays in VAT
Issuance of Aktive-, Junior-, Kinder- and Plausch-Lizenzen, championship entry (NLA, NLB, 1. Liga, regional leagues), referee management, federation declarations. Official SHV tool, you keep it as is.
Stays in the Liveticker
Mandatory electronic match sheet since 2025/26. Live entry of goals, sanctions and saves for the official SHV match record. Paak does not replace it — it consolidates internal club statistics in parallel for individual performance and communication.
What Paak adds
Multi-sport (a club with handball + volleyball + judo sections has one platform), Mollie payments in CHF + TWINT outside the licence (tournaments, camps, training courses), sponsors and donor revenue, tactical live scoring (positions, formations, 7m), individual performance, volunteers, training planning.
Technical bridge with VAT
CSV import today from the VAT export. Major difference vs France: The SHV publishes a Swagger-documented REST API at api.handball.ch — a native connector is the #1 priority on the CH integration roadmap (CH-INT-SHV).
On the SHV API: api.handball.ch is the only public REST API referenced among Swiss sports federations (Paak audit, 2026). It is the clearest integration opportunity for a technical partnership with a Swiss sports federation, and we are building the connector as a priority.
Swiss handball has its own logic
IHF rules apply unchanged — 7v7, 2x30 minutes, 2-minute suspensions, 7m penalty. But the SHV adds four specifics that most "multi-sport" software ignores.
Gender-offset age categories
Girls U14 / U16 / U18, boys U15 / U17 / U19. The Paak engine applies the SHV offset in code (CH override of the handball sport), not in manual configuration. France and Switzerland differ — we encode both.
Kinder-Lizenz dual-track
For children, the SHV distinguishes an animation track (non-competitive, participation) and a competition track (structured league play). No French equivalent. Paak models both tracks at the Licence level so transitions don't lose history.
Dual registration A/B
A player can be licensed at their primary club (Registration A) while playing for a secondary club (Registration B). The supportsDualRegistration flag is enabled for Swiss handball in Paak — primary/secondary affiliation modelling is native.
Versichertennummer (Swiss insurance ID)
The SHV requires the Swiss AHV number (format 756.xxxx.xxxx.xx) at registration. Optional field on the Contact profile in Paak, exposed only to club administrators. No medical certificate required at federation level, unlike French handball.
SHV age categories (gender-offset)
Junior categories are offset by one year between girls and boys — SHV-specific. Source: SHV regulations, verified 2026-05-07.
| Category | Boys | Girls | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mini | U7 to U9 | U7 to U9 | Kinder-Lizenz (animation or competition) |
| U11 | 10-11 | 10-11 | Common category |
| U13 | 12-13 | 12-13 | Common category |
| Junior 1 | U15 | U14 | First gender offset |
| Junior 2 | U17 | U16 | Offset maintained |
| Junior 3 | U19 | U18 | Offset maintained |
| Aktive | 20+ | 19+ | Senior |
Live scoring: goals, 7m, saves
During the match, one click adds a goal, records a 7m (attempted / scored / saved), or counts a goalkeeper save. Each action is attributed to the player and consolidated in their profile after the match. Paak's internal stats live in parallel with the SHV Liveticker (which remains the official record).
| Action | Value | Tracked in Paak |
|---|---|---|
| Field goal | 1 pt | Scorer, assist provider, shooting position |
| 7m penalty | 1 pt | Attempted, scored or saved. Success rate per shooter. |
| Goalkeeper save | — | Foot, hand, dive saves. % on shots faced. |
| Assist | — | Pass before goal. Cumulative stats for centre backs. |
| Successful counter-attack | — | Defence-to-attack transition leading to a goal. |
| Turnover | − | Loss attributed to the player. Negative stat impact. |
Sanctions: progression in minutes (IHF rules)
Handball doesn't work like football. Sanctions accumulate in minutes of temporary suspension, not in cards. IHF rules applied unchanged by the SHV.
| Sanction | Consequence |
|---|---|
| YELLOWWarning | Maximum 3 per team and 1 per player. No suspension. |
| 2 MINTemporary suspension | Player off the court for 2 minutes. Team plays with 6 on the court. |
| REDDisqualification | Triggered automatically after 3x2 min. Player excluded from the match. Team plays with 6 for 2 additional minutes, then returns to 7. |
| BLUEWritten report | Disqualification + written report sent to the disciplinary commission (gross unsporting conduct, violence). Tracked separately in Paak. |
The 7 handball positions
Universal IHF positions, identical at SHV level. Each position has its own statistics and tactical role.
Pre-configured defensive systems
The three main defensive systems of modern handball, plus the 7-outfield attack (goalkeeper out, allowed since 2016).
6-0 defence
6 defenders aligned on the 6-metre line. Closed defence, deterrent against pivot play. Ideal against a wing-dominant attack.
In Paak: Default formation. Defensive stats: % shots stopped at 6m, pivot fouls.
5-1 defence
5 defenders at 6m + 1 advanced at 9m (often on the opposing centre back). Cut long-range shots, force inside play.
In Paak: Configurable formation. The advanced position is marked as "9m defender".
3-2-1 defence
3 staggered lines (3 + 2 + 1 advanced). High and aggressive defence, typical of Balkan handball. Demanding transition.
In Paak: Three drawn lines. Key metric: counter-attacks conceded.
7-outfield attack
The goalkeeper goes out for a 7th outfield player. Legal offensive overload since 2016. Risk: empty-net goal on turnover.
In Paak: "Attack +1" formation, dedicated stat: empty-net goals conceded.
SHV-aware player profile
Preferred position
7 options: GK, LW, LB, CB, RB, RW, P. A player can have several (versatility provided).
Shooting hand
Right, left, ambidextrous. Crucial for back positions (a left-hander at right back is a rare advantage).
SHV age category
Mini, U11, U13, then girls U14/U16/U18 vs boys U15/U17/U19, Aktive senior. Linked automatically to the season.
SHV licence type
Aktive-Lizenz (CHF 110), Junior-Lizenz (CHF 60), Kinder-Lizenz (CHF 10, animation or competition), Plausch-Lizenz (recreational). 2024-25 SHV pricing verified.
Versichertennummer
AHV number (format 756.xxxx.xxxx.xx). Optional, exposed only to club administrators.
Primary / secondary affiliation
Registration A (primary club) + Registration B (secondary club) when SHV-permitted dual affiliation applies. A single Affiliation is flagged isPrimary.
Automatic metrics
- Goals per match, per position, per season
- % 7m success rate (shooters) and % saves (goalkeepers)
- Assists, particularly tracked for centre backs
- Turnovers and % effective possession
- Minutes played and suspension minutes
Coaching and refereeing qualifications
SHV refereeing
Regional, national levels. Managed in VAT for official delegation; tracked in Paak for club availability.
Jugend + Sport (J+S)
Swiss federal framework for youth coach training. Recognised by the Federal Office of Sport (BASPO/OFSPO). Tracked in Paak with validity date and level.
SHV training pathways
Handball-specific SHV programmes (children's animation, referee educator, etc.). Acquisition date and expiry tracked like any other qualification.
SHV handball, on top of everything Paak already does
Everything above — gender-offset categories, Kinder-Lizenz dual-track, Versichertennummer, 7v7 scoring, sanctions in minutes, positions, formations — is added to the complete club management platform. Members, payments, teams, compliance: Paak handles all that already.
- Member management and dues collection in CHF (Mollie + TWINT rolling out)
- Match, training, and travel scheduling
- Automatic email convocations
- Attendance and availability tracking
- Volunteer management (table, refreshments, transport)
- Equipment distribution (jerseys, balls, protective gear)
- Qualification and licence tracking
- Emergency protocols and key numbers
- nLPD-compatible hosting (the EU is on Switzerland's adequacy list, OPDo Annex 1)
Frequently asked questions
Does Paak support the 7v7 format and 2x30 minutes of handball?
Yes. 7 players on the court (6 outfield + 1 goalkeeper), 2 halves of 30 minutes for Aktive, durations adapted for junior categories. IHF rules applied unchanged by the SHV.
Are SHV gender-offset age categories supported?
Yes — in code, not in configuration. The age category engine applies the SHV gender offset for Swiss clubs: Mini U7-U9, U11, U13 mixed, then girls U14/U16/U18 vs boys U15/U17/U19, Aktive senior. It is a CH override of the handball sport, not an option.
Is dual registration A/B supported?
Yes. The supportsDualRegistration flag is enabled for handball in Switzerland. A player can be licensed at their primary club (Registration A) while also playing for a secondary club (Registration B). Native primary/secondary affiliation modelling.
Is the Versichertennummer an available field?
Yes. Optional field on the Contact profile (format 756.xxxx.xxxx.xx), exposed only to club administrators. Required by the SHV at registration.
Does Paak replace VAT (vat.handball.ch)?
No. VAT remains the official SHV tool for licence issuance, championship registration, and referee management. The Liveticker remains the official match record (mandatory since 2025/26). You keep both. Paak is complementary: multi-sport, CHF/TWINT payments outside the licence, sponsors, tactical club scoring, individual performance, volunteers. Bridge with VAT: CSV import today; a native api.handball.ch connector is the #1 priority on the CH integration roadmap.
Is a medical certificate required?
No, not at SHV federation level (unlike France). Paak respects this difference: the requiresMedicalCert flag is false for Switzerland. An individual club can locally require a certificate; Paak then allows it to be added as a club qualification.
Try Paak for your Swiss handball club
Create my clubSwiss pilots open · CHF + TWINT rolling out · nLPD-compatible hosting
Are you an SHV club? Email us to join the pilot.