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I.2.1. Main rules

  • Mixed-gender game: Teams consist of 4 female and 4 male players, they must be on the court always equally. Each player plays against a player of the same sex. Limited physical contact is permitted.
  • Team sport: Only 2 steps can be taken with the ball in hands and no dribbling is allowed. Therefore, korfball is all about players paying attention to each other, being willing and able to cooperate.
  • The sport of equal chances: Because of the “defended shot” rule, that somewhat negates the advantage of height, short players can prevent taller ones from scoring, provided that they are close enough to them.
  • Play is allowed 360 degrees around the basket, which means that the area for an attack is 180 degrees greater than in most of the other ball games.
  • The korfball post is a pole of 3.5 m in height with a plastic, bottomless basket of 40 cm in diameter.

  • The ball size is the same as that of the size 5 football, it is slightly heavier and usually made of leather. For the purpose of practices and unofficial matches (e.g. in schools), normal football is also suitable.