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What
is Korfball ? |
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Korfball is a game
for everyone. Men and women of all ages can play. Korfball is played
on every continent, with the exception of the Antarctic. Korfball
can be played indoors as well as outdoors. And you don't need
expensive equipment to play the game. The first thing you need is a pitch (court), divided into two halves
called zones. Add two korfball posts (3.5m, shorter for the young), two
baskets, one ball and two teams of eight players: two men and two women
of each team in each zone (attack and defense). With one referee the
game is ready to start. |
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How the game is played |
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There
are 8 players in a Korfball team, 4 men and 4 women. The 40m x 20m court
is split into equal halves with 2 men and 2 women in each half. In each
team, one half attacks whilst the other defends matched against the
attack and defense of the opposing team. The groups switch ends and
roles after 2 goals are scored (by either side) thus requiring all
players to have both attacking and defensive skills. Korfball can
normally played outdoors or could also be played indoor. |
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Korfball: the aim of the game. |
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The game is fairly simple. You score when you throw the ball
through the other team's basket. After two goals the teams change zones:
the defenders become attackers and attackers defenders. At half-time the
teams change ends. As long as you keep its philosophy in mind, all rules turn out to be
straightforward. What, then, is its philosophy? |
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First and foremost,
korfball is a team sport. Individual class is essential but there is no room for individual play.
Belonging to a team means teamwork running with the ball or dribbling
is not allowed. If you receive the ball while running, stop and pass,
preferably to a member of your team!
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Second,
korfball is a mixed sport. Men and women play
side by side. But while women are equal in the tactics of the game,
while playing it's man to man only. One man may guard one man and one
woman may guard one woman. So it's not two against one and a woman may
not defend a man nor may a man defend a woman.
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Third,
korfball is a tactical game. Each team tries to
win by scoring more goals using tactical skills of the team as a whole.
The rules follow this concept and prevent physical strength from
dominating the game. That means that physical contact is undesired.
Blocking, tackling and holding your opponent are not allowed in
korfball. The same goes for kicking the ball or hitting it with your
fists. Remember, skills are important, not muscles. And while we're at
it, keep your hands of the korfball post: scoring is difficult enough
without someone pushing the post.
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Now what else makes this game different? First, each team must have four
women and four men. Single sex teams are not allowed. Second, it is not
allowed to score when defended. That occurs when the defender is closer
to the basket and is facing his/her opponent, and is at arm's length,
and is attempting to block the ball |
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