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Korfball is the exciting mixed team sport that is increasing in popularity throughout
the world.
The sport was the brainchild of Dutch school teacher Nico Broekhusen who founded
Korfball back in 1875.
Broekhusen searched far and wide without success for a team sport that both the
boys and girls in his school could play together on equal terms, choosing instead to develop a sport of his own
that would encourage both teamwork and co-operation.
The word 'Korf' is simply Dutch for 'basket' and quite sensibly was not translated to English to avoid confusion
with the American basketball.
Promoted by the International Korfball Federation, the sport has spread it's roots
throughout the globe and is increasing in popularity in many countries worldwide.
Described by London's Evening Standard as 'the sport for the new millennium'Korfball
is an exciting and accessible sport for both young and old presenting unique sponsorship opportunities to businesses
looking for a new approach.
How is it played
There are 8 players in a Korfball team, 4 men and 4 women. The 40m x 20m court
is split into 2 halves and to start the game the team is split into 2 groups of 4 (2 male and 2 female) in each
end of the court. One of the 2 groups of 4 sets out in the teams attack zone whilst the other in the defence zone,
matched against the attack and defence of the opposing team. The groups switch ends and roles after 2 goals are
scored require players to have both attacking and defending skills.
The key rules
No running with the ball
A key rule which ensures that there has to be co-operation between players, so
you cannot have a 'superstar' running around doing all the work while the others watch on. Players have to create
scoring chances through passing, running and team co-operation.
No physical contact
Just like basketball !!!
No shooting whilst 'defended'
This is very much the key to the whole game. In sports like basketball and netball
(of which Korfball is often wrongly described as a 'cross between') you can just dump a tall player under the basket
or net and just keep delivering the ball up to them.
Not so in Korfball.
Basically an attacker is considered to be 'defended' when an opponent of the same sex (more on that later) fulfills
the following 3 criteria;
1. They are between the attacker and the basket.
2. They are within arms length of the attacker.
3. They are actively trying to block the ball.
So even if you are 7 feet tall you can only shoot in Korfball if you are 'free' of your defender, which means you
have to run around and co-operate with your team to create scoring chances like the rest of us.
You cannot hinder a member of the opposite sex
This means that the women are competing against the women and the men against the men, all within a fast and flowing
team environment. Both have to co-operate with each other in order to succeed.
How do you score
In Korfball a 'goal' is scored when the ball passes through the opponents rattan
basket which is mounted on a 3.5m pole, itself mounted within the court as opposed to at the end of it. Good shooting
skills are essential and top players will be shooting from as far away as 10 metres in a game. In Korfball you
don't score points, a goal is a goal. On average a team would expect to score between 10 - 15 goals in a game but
more is possible.
Other rules
Of course there are other rules, no punching the ball, free passes and penalty
shots for fouls and more. The game had been modernised to allow substitutions and time outs, but is still very
much guided by the principles of co-operation set out by it's founder.
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