Sports for Dummies: What is Korfball? The basic rules of a sport on the rise
Korfball? What the f**k is Korfball? That’s the standard response Sip Media Solutions’ digital marketing intern Michelle Erskine gets when she talks about the mix of Basketball and Netball.
She’s started to get quite annoyed by the fact no one knows what it is…she loves it, and plays it every week for Leeds Beckett University - and here, she gives us a dummies guide to Korfball.
The roots of Korfball
Korfball was invented in 1902 by Dutch schoolteacher Nico Broekhuysen, who was inspired by a game he had seen during a summer course in Sweden.
This led to the creation of the Netherlands Korfball Association.
The sport spread to the Dutch colonial territories and made its Olympic debut at the 1920 Antwerp Games.
This exposure contributed to the establishment of the Belgian Korfball Association in 1921.
In Britain, the British Korfball Association was founded in July 1946. The London league began in 1948, with two teams each from Wandsworth KC and Croydon KC.
By 1956, new clubs had emerged in Hornchurch, Sheffield, Bromley, and Derby, but a league attempt was short-lived due to travel challenges.
The 1970s saw renewed growth in Great Britain, with clubs forming in Swindon and Essex.
A major development came in the 1980s when universities began playing Korfball, spearheaded by the University of London.
This inspired graduates to establish new clubs and helped expand the sport further.
On the international stage, the national federations of Belgium, the Netherlands, and Great Britain joined forces to organize the first international Korfball tournament in 1963.
This led to the launch of the Europa Cup, the first international club competition, in 1967.
The International Korfball Federation held its first Korfball Championship in 1978, and from then on, the sport continued to grow, with many countries joining.
Today, Korfball features a full international competition calendar, including youth tournaments in the U19, U21, and U23 categories, as well as continental championships in Europe, Asia, Oceania, Africa, and the Americas.
In 1994, the British Korfball Association established a national league, featuring clubs from London, Kent, and Surrey.
This league now sits at the top of a growing network of local leagues, with clubs spread across England, from Newcastle to Maidstone.
For many years, university teams have competed in various leagues based on their region and also participate in BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport).
The BUCS competition consists of three stages: prelims, regionals/qualifiers, and the national championship.
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So what is Korfball?
Korfball takes its name from the Dutch word Korf, which means “basket.” It is the only dedicated mixed-gender team sport.
It is a sport played by hand in a rectangular field and features two teams of eight players - four men and four women on each side. Players can only defend opponents of the same gender.
The court is divided into two zones: four players defend their basket while the other four attack.
Players must stay in their designated zone, with two men and two women in each section. After every two goals, the teams switch roles - defenders become attackers and attackers become defenders.
The aim of the game is to get the ball through the Korf, which is yellow and 3.5m above the ground.
Uniquely, Korfball is the only sport where players can score from behind the post. The Korf is placed 6.6 meters from the backline.
The basic rules of Korfball
Korfball follows a unique set of rules that every player must adhere to.
Attacking and defending
Attacking - The goal is to score by shooting the ball through the opponent’s Korf.
Defenders - Players aim to block shots and intercept passes to prevent the attackers from scoring.
Movement
Players cannot dribble with the ball. While they can bounce it to control possession, they must pass or shoot without moving.
When holding the ball, players are allowed only one step before passing or shooting.
Players cannot run with the ball but can pivot using one foot.
Scoring
A goal is scored when the ball is successfully thrown into the Korf.
After every two goals, teams switch between attacking and defending zones.
Each goal is worth one point.
Match duration
A standard match consists of two 30-minute halves.
In international games, matches are divided into four 15-minute quarters with short breaks.
Matches can end in a draw, but some tournaments use extra time, a golden goal, or a penalty shootout to determine the winner.
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Different types of shots in Korfball
The objective in Korfball is to score as many goals as possible to outscore the opposition.
To take a shot, a player must create space from their defender, ensuring a clear attempt at the Korf, as defended shots do not count.
Here are some of the different types of shots players use to score:
A long shot - A shot taken from a long distance, requiring accuracy and good power.
A runner - A quick shot taken while moving towards the Korf.
A veer shot - A dynamic shot where the player receives the ball mid-air while moving backwards.
A drop-off shot - This is the ability to be able to drop off the back of the opponent at the back of the post and get space to be able to take a shot.
A penalty shot - A shot taken from the penalty spot after a foul.
Free pass - The free pass is taken inside the free pass area by a player of the attack zone standing with one foot immediately behind the penalty spot.
A shot is considered defended if a defender is close enough and actively blocking the attempt. If a defended shot goes in, it will not count.
Players can evade defenders by stepping back before taking a shot to create space.
How you defend in Korfball
Defenders should follow these key principles:
Maintain a position between your marked opponent and the Korf.
Actively track the ball with your hand to block shots and passes.
Stay an arm’s length from the attacking player to contest their movements effectively.
Keep your focus on your opponent, ensuring they cannot break away and create a scoring opportunity.
What is prohibited in a Korfball game?
Touch the ball with your leg or foot.
Hitting the ball with a fist.
To take hold of, catch, or tap the ball when any part of the body other than the feet is touching the ground.
Running/walking with the ball, it is only allowed to pivot on one foot when having the ball.
Solo play - dribbling or playing without involving teammates.
Handing the ball to another player of your own team.
Pushing, clinging to, holding off or hindering an opponent.
Hindering an opponent of the opposite gender in throwing the ball.
Playing outside your zone.
Shooting from a defended position.
Scoring from a defence zone of the attacking team or directly from a free pass or re-start.
Influencing a shot by moving the post.
Taking hold of the post when jumping, running or moving away quickly.
Exceeding the 25-second shot clock without scoring or hitting the Korf (applies in professional and international Korfball, as well as top UK leagues like Yorkshire leagues and BUCS where a shot clock is used).
Travelling
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Penalties and free passes
In Korfball, penalties and free passes are awarded when an infringement of play occurs.
Penalty
A penalty is awarded when a serious foul occurs, giving the attacking team a direct scoring opportunity.
How to take a penalty
The penalty is taken from 2.5 metres from the post.
All other players must stand 2.5 metres away from both the Korf and the penalty taker.
If an attacking player steps into the penalty area, the penalty is not awarded.
If a defender steps into the penalty area, the penalty taker is allowed to retake the shot.
When should a referee award a penalty against a defender?
A male player hinders a female player who has a clear scoring chance (or vice versa).
A player prevents an opponent in a free position from shooting by pushing or running them down.
Two defenders hinder an attacking player at the same time.
A defender influences a shot unfairly by moving the post
Free pass
A free pass is awarded to the attacking team when a defensive player commits a foul in the attacking zone. Common fouls that lead to a free pass include:
Illegal contact (e.g., pushing or holding an opponent).
Obstruction (blocking an opponent unfairly).
Stepping into the restricted area while defending.
How a Free Pass is taken
All players except the taker must stand 2.5 meters away from the penalty spot.
Attacking players must maintain 2.5 meters of space from each other around the free pass area.
After the whistle, the taker has four seconds to pass the ball to a teammate.
The ball must be passed to another teammate first before a shot can be taken.
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