Korfball

Players are only allowed to defend against

someone of the same sex, that is male
against male or female against female.
Match
A Korfball match consist of two 35-minute
halves with a 10-minute break in-between.
A match begins with a free pass from the
centre.
About
Korfball was originally invented in 1902 by
Dutch school teacher, Nico Broekhuysen.
Similar to both netball and basketball, the
objective in Korfball is to place the ball in
your teams goal.
Korfball is commonly played with mixed
teams of 8 players, 4 men and 4 women
but can also be played with all female
sides.
Field & Equipment
Korfball is played on a court that is 40m X
20m and divided into two equal halves.
Each half is marked as either defence or
attack (depending on team).

There are two baskets (known as Korfs) on

the court, one in either half. These are
placed one third (1/3) of the way into the
half from the backline.

Similar to netball, running with the ball is

not allowed and the ball must be moved
between team members by a series of
pass.
Kicking, punching or handing off the ball
are all considered illegal.

Team
Korfball is played with two teams of 8
players. Each team consists of 4 men and 4
women.

Once two goals have been scored, players

in each zone swap. Attack players move to
defence and defence players move to
attack.

There is always two men and 2 women in

each zone of the court from both teams.
During the match players are not allowed to
move between playing zones.

Rules
Korfball is a non-contact sport, though don't
be surprised if referees do allow some
contact.

Korfball
Players are not allowed to run with the ball.
If a player receives the ball while stationary
they may only pivot on one foot. If a player
receives the ball while running and then
shoots or passes, they are allowed two
steps before releasing the ball.
It is an offence for an attacker to shoot
while they are 'defended'. If the attacker
shoots while defended, the ball is given to
the defence for a restart. The attacker is
'defended' if all the following apply:

1. Contact, i.e. pushing, barging,

holding
2. Knocking the ball out of an
opponent's hand(s)
3. Travelling, i.e. illegally moving with
the ball
4. Playing outside ones half, e.g. a
defender entering the attacking half
5. Touching the ball with the leg or foot

1. The defender is nearer the post than

the attacker.
2. The defender is within an arms
length of the attacker, i.e.
the attacker is within touching
distance
3. The defender is looking at the
attacker.
4. The defender is actively defending,
i.e. trying to block the ball.

6. Playing the ball when on the ground

7. Solo-play, e.g. trying to move
position by throwing & catching the
ball oneself
8. Marking/defending a player of the
opposite sex
9. Scoring from the defensive half or
direct from a free pass
10. To grab hold of or move the post

The main offences that a player could

commit are:

A penalty will be awarded if the attacking

team has been denied a clear scoring
chance, e.g. contact on a player in the act

If a player commits an offence then

the punishment is one of a restart, a free
pass or a penalty.

of shooting or knocking the ball from the

hands of a player when another player is
free to score. A penalty can be awarded no
matter where the offence occurs.
A penalty is taken from a point 2.5 metres
directly in front of the post. All the other
players must be at least 2.5 metres from
the post and from the penalty spot. The
other players may not enter this zone until
the ball has left the penalty takers hands.
A free pass is taken from the penalty spot.
At a free pass all the players, other than the
taker must be 2.5 metres from the penalty
spot. In addition the attacking players must
be 2.5 metres from each other. The referee
will blow the whistle to start play as soon as
the players are in position or after 4
seconds, which ever is first. The taker must
pass the ball to a team-mate. The teammate may not touch the ball, nor enter the
2.5 metre zone, until it has travelled 2.5
metres from the point of the free pass. The
taker must pass the ball within 4 seconds.

Korfball
The defenders can enter the 2.5 metre
zone as soon as the taker moves the ball.