What is Korfball - Basic Rules

Origins
Korfball originated in The Netherlands a hundred years ago. The inventor of the game, Nico Broekhuysen designed it to cater for inner city schoolchildren in an attempt to allow boys and girls of all abilities to play sport together.

Rules
The rules are enforced by the man or woman in the middle, the referee.

Korfball is played by two teams, each consisting of 4 male and 4 female players. The court is split into two zones, 2 men and 2 women from each team (one division) are placed in each zone. One division defends the post in that zone, while the opposing division tries to score into it, and vice versa in the other zone. After 2 goals are scored the teams swap ends.

In korfball it is possible to prevent an opposing player from having a shot at the post by defending them. To defend an opponent you need to be the same sex as that person, in between the opponent and the post, within touching distance and actively defending the ball.

Korfball is a game of skill and not of force, as such it is a non-contact sport and as it is a team game solo-play is not allowed. Solo-play includes such things as running with the ball and dribbling the ball.