In the world of sports, there are many popular and widely recognized games that attract large audiences globally. However, there are also lesser-known sports that, while they may not be as famous, are nonetheless thrilling and exciting. One such sport is Korfball, which emerged in the early 20th century and is played in various European countries under the supervision of an international federation comprising around 70 nations. This federation is responsible for managing and organizing Korfball tournaments. The sport is unique not only because it combines elements of other popular games but also because it is played by teams consisting of both men and women, a factor that has sparked criticism from more conservative circles. In this article, we will shed light on this distinctive sport and explore what makes Korfball so special.
The Origins of Korfball
Korfball was invented by a Dutch teacher named Nico Broekhuysen in 1902 after he attended a course in “Nääs,” a town in Sweden, where he learned about a local game called “Ringball.” In Ringball, players score points by throwing a ball into a ring attached to a three-meter-high pole, and it was played by both men and women on a field divided into three zones, with players restricted to their designated areas. Inspired by this, Broekhuysen returned to Amsterdam and decided to teach a similar game to his students. He replaced the ring with a basket and named the game “Korfball,” which translates to “basketball” in Dutch. Initially played in the Netherlands and Belgium, Korfball quickly spread across Europe, leading to the establishment of an international federation in 1933. Today, there are 500 Korfball clubs, with over 90,000 players, making it the only mixed-gender team sport recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Although Korfball appeared in the Olympics only twice, in 1920 and 1928, it remains on the list of approved sports that could potentially return in future games. Currently, the Netherlands is the dominant force in Korfball.
How Korfball is Played
Korfball is played on a rectangular field divided into two square halves. It can be played indoors on small courts measuring 20m x 40m or outdoors on larger fields of 30m x 60m. One unique feature of Korfball is that players can score from behind a basket attached to a pole, which is 3.5 meters above the ground and positioned a short distance from the end line on both sides of the field. The basket is cylindrical, open at both ends, with a diameter of 41 cm, and unlike in basketball, there is no backboard. Each team consists of eight players—four men and four women. At the start of the game, four players from each team act as attackers and occupy the opponent’s half, while the other four serve as defenders in their own half. After every two goals, the roles of attackers and defenders switch. Substitutes are also common in Korfball teams. Like any team sport, tactics are crucial in Korfball, with defensive strategies such as front defense and rebounding, and offensive formations like 4-0, 3-1, and 2-2.
The Rules and Regulations
A Korfball match is played in two halves. If played indoors, each half lasts 30 minutes, whereas, in outdoor games, each half is 35 minutes long. Players are restricted in how they can move with the ball. If a player catches the ball while moving, they are allowed two steps before they must stop or pass it to another player. The goal of the attackers is to create enough space to shoot the ball into the basket, and they can shoot from anywhere in their designated half. Each successful shot counts as one point, regardless of whether it’s made from the halfway line or one meter away. Defenders, on the other hand, must prevent attackers from scoring without physical contact by blocking their shots, intercepting passes, or positioning themselves to stop the ball from reaching the basket. Attackers cannot enter the defensive zone, and vice versa.
Korfball has several rules that must be adhered to, with violations often resulting in penalties, such as restarting the attack from the point of the infraction, similar to free kicks in football. If a significant foul is committed against attackers, they are awarded a free pass from a distance of 2.5 meters without interference from other players. However, the player taking the free pass cannot shoot directly at the basket. A penalty shot is awarded if a defender denies an attacker a clear scoring opportunity through a foul, which is taken from 2.5 meters in front of the basket. No other player may be within 2.5 meters of the basket or the penalty taker until the ball leaves their hands. There is no time limit on how long a player can hold the ball, but once a player has it, no other player can physically take it from them, as contact is not allowed, except in certain situations.
