Korfball facts for kids
Outdoor korfball match in the Netherlands
|
|
| Highest governing body | International Korfball Federation |
|---|---|
| First played | 1902 |
| Characteristics | |
| Contact | Limited |
| Team members | 8 per side: 4 male players and 4 female players |
| Mixed-sex | Yes |
| Type | Team sport, ball sport |
| Equipment | Korfball |
| Venue | Korfball court |
| Presence | |
| Olympic | Demonstration sport in 1920 and 1928 |
| World Games | 1985–present |
Korfball (called korfbal in Dutch) is an exciting ball sport played by two teams. It's a bit like a mix of netball and basketball. The main goal is to throw a ball into a special basket that doesn't have a net. This basket is placed on a tall pole, about 3.5 meters (11.5 feet) high.
What makes Korfball unique is that each team has eight players: four girls and four boys. This makes it a truly mixed-gender sport where everyone plays together!
Contents
What is Korfball?
Korfball is a team sport where players work together to score points. You score by throwing the ball through the opponent's basket. The game is played on a rectangular court, which can be indoors or outdoors.
How Korfball is Played
In Korfball, players pass the ball to each other to move it around the court. You can't run with the ball once you have it. You also can't dribble the ball like in basketball. This means players need to pass quickly and move without the ball to get into a good scoring position.
The game is divided into two halves. Teams switch sides and roles (attackers and defenders) during the game. This ensures that all players get a chance to play in both attacking and defending positions.
The Korfball Basket
Unlike basketball hoops, the Korfball basket has no backboard. This means you have to be very accurate when you shoot. The basket is also higher than a basketball hoop, making it a challenge to score.
History of Korfball
Korfball was invented in 1902 by a Dutch school teacher named Nico Broekhuysen. He wanted to create a new sport that was fair for both boys and girls to play together. He got the idea after seeing a Swedish game called "ringball."
Where Korfball is Popular
Korfball started in the Netherlands and is still very popular there. There are around 500 Korfball clubs in the Netherlands, with over 90,000 people playing the sport. It's also played a lot in Belgium and Taiwan. In total, Korfball is enjoyed in nearly 70 countries around the world!
Korfball in the Olympics
Korfball has even been part of the Olympic Games! It was a Demonstration sport in the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium, and again in the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam, Netherlands. A demonstration sport is played to show people what it's like, but it doesn't count for medals.
Korfball Pictures
-
Korfball match at the 1928 Summer Olympics in the Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam
-
Members of the International Korfball Federation
-
Korfball match in the Netherlands
.PNG)
See also
In Spanish: Korfbal para niños
