In 1902, a teacher named Nico Broekhuysen went to Sweden to learn about teaching gymnastics to kids. He found a game called “ringboll” where players threw a ball through a ring on a pole to score points. When he got back to Amsterdam, he made a similar game for his students called korfball. He changed the ring to a basket and made the rules easier for kids to understand.
How do you play korfball?
At the start of the match, one team chooses a specific half of the court. That half becomes their defending zone, which includes their korf. The korf is positioned inside the playing area, allowing shots to be taken from any angle. In a match, each team has four players in one zone and four players in the other zone. Within each zone, a player can only defend a member of the opposite team who is the same gender. Players score by throwing the ball through the opposing team’s basket. After two goals, the teams switch zones: defenders become attackers, and attackers become defenders. During zone changes, attackers can’t enter their defending zone, and vice versa. At halftime, the teams swap halves of the court. So, a player who is being defended by an opponent can’t shoot, so quick shots using specific techniques are most effective.
An international korfball match usually has two halves or four periods, with the length depending on the competition. Each half is typically 25 minutes long, while each period is usually between 7 and 10 minutes. There is a one-minute break between the first and second periods, as well as between the third and fourth periods. During halftime, the break is either five or ten minutes.
Cooperation between players is essential in korfball. Dribbling and running with the ball alone are strictly prohibited. However, they can move one foot as long as the foot they landed on when catching the ball stays in the same spot. This means that tactical and efficient teamwork is necessary, as players need each other to keep the ball moving. While contact between players does occur in korfball, it is regulated, and players are not allowed to gain an advantage from making contact with their opponents.
How many players does a korfball team consist of?
In a standard game, there are eight players on each team, with an equal number of males and females. Korfball is a unique sport where both male and female players participate equally. This has been the case since the sport was first developed. Whether it’s professional athletes or children playing in the park, both genders play together on an equal footing. This ensures that advantages in height, speed, or strength are minimized, making it possible for mixed teams to compete on an equal level.
What is not allowed during the game?
The rules of the game prevent physical strength from dominating. Blocking, tackling, holding, and kicking the ball are not allowed. Once a player has the ball, they cannot dribble or walk with it. A player can’t attempt to score when defending. This happens when the defender is between the opponent and the basket, facing their opponent, or within arm’s length and trying to block the ball. This rule encourages fast movement and limits the impact of players’ height compared to their opponents.
Where is korfball played?
The oldest korfball club is H.K.C. ALO from The Hague, Netherlands, which started in 1906. Korfball was shown as a sport at the 1920 and 1928 Summer Olympics. Korfball is played on various continents around the world, including Africa, America, Asia, Europe, and Oceania. The International Korfball Federation (IKF) was established in Belgium in 1933 and has 69 member countries, including the United States, China, England, Scotland, Ireland, Australia, and many others. The IKF is also affiliated with several sports organizations, such as SportAccord, ARISF, IWGA, and WADA, and is officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Sources:
https://korfball.sport/what-is-korfball/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korfball