In Australian rules football, the hand-passing technique is called a handball.
A handball is performed by holding the football in one hand and striking it with the clenched fist of the other hand. The ball must be punched rather than thrown, which distinguishes a legal handball from a pass in many other football codes. Players use the technique to move the ball quickly over short distances.
Handballing is especially useful when a player is under pressure or when a kick would take too long. Teams combine handballs with kicks, marks and running play to advance possession. The technique can be made with either hand supporting the ball, although players often develop a preferred side.
The term can cause confusion internationally because “handball” is also the name of a separate court sport. In Australian rules football, however, it specifically describes this legal fist-punch pass.