Korfball

Korfball is an excellent fast paced sport with mixed gender teams. It has similar attributes to netball and basketball, but players aren't in fixed positions and alternate between attacking and defending roles.

History

Korfball was invented in 1902 in the Netherlands by a Dutch school master who wanted a game which could be played by school children where both boys and girls were able to compete on an equal footing.

Only a few years later Basketball was invented in the USA. Although Korfball remained popular in the Netherlands, the sport soon spread to almost 40 other countries and is now played at the World and European Games. Not surprisingly the Dutch have held on to their crown by winning Korfball at the World Games every year since Korfball was introduced in to the programme.

Pitch Layout

Korfball is played by two teams of 8, consisting of 4 men and 4 women, on a rectangular pitch 40m by 20m. The pitch is divided into two halves so each is end is square. At either end is a goal post where the Korf (the Dutch word for basket) is supported. The Korf is 3.5m from the ground and there is no backboard.

The leather ball is similar in size and apperance to a football, but weighted differently. The two zones on the piches are occupied by two men and two women from the same team. One zone starts attacking and the other defending, they swap after two oals are scored (by either team).

Playing Korfball

Korfball is a non-contact sport and dribbling and running is not allowed. Passes can be bounced off the floor or from player to player. Players can only mark another player of the same sex.