Korfball is an exciting and creative sport combining agility, speed, technique and vision. It was devised nearly 100 years ago in Holland as a game for school children. It is in the same family as netball and basketball and “korf” is actually the Dutch word for basket. The game involves moving and passing the ball around with the objective of scoring goals. Each team consists of 8 players: 2 boys and two girls in the attack half and two boys and two girls in the defense half of the court. Boys and girls play together and everyone gets an equal chance to score. Teamwork and cooperation are essential.
A brief summary of the rules:
- Girls mark girls and boys mark boys.
- To score goals players must be free of their opponents, i.e. not defended.
- After two goals are scored by either team the attack and defense sections change ends and roles.
- Korfball is a non-contact sport.
- No running or dribbling with the ball.
- No kicking, punching or falling on the ball.
Korfball is played indoors in winter and outdoors in summer. Korfball is a good way to make friends. All ages can play and quite often whole families get involved. International exchanges are frequent, as are social events.