Korfball

Korfball is a fast, dynamic sport. Two teams compete against each other to score at opposing ends of the court. Men and women compete on the same pitch though men cannot hinder women and women cannot hinder men, which adds a fascinating twist to traditonal sports. Tactics and team work between the genders is important to maintain a free flowing attack.

Korfball's origins can be traced back to a Dutch schoolteacher, Nico Broekhuysen. Inspired by a game he had played during a summer course in Nääs, Sweden, Broekhuysen devised the game of korfball in Amsterdam in 1902. He called it korfball after the Dutch word for basket, 'korf.'

In the first half of the century, the underlying philosophy of korfball often appeared to be too progressive: namely that korfball is played by both sexes on equal terms. But times have changed considerably.

Korfball is often described as similar to basketball and netball but it overcomes the limitations of these sports. It is far more diverse in tactics and game play than netball as each player can do any job. Since shots can be defended, it means it is a much faster paced, much more tactically demanding sport as you strive to keep away from you defender.

The goal is made from rattan or plastic hoop fixed on top of a 3.5 metre pole. Each side has two men and two women in attack and two men and two women in defence. The attacking section has to try and work the ball around the section by fast, accurate ball movement and sharp, incisive movement to break free from their defenders and shoot for goal. Each two goals that are scored, the sections swap ends of the pitch and swap jobs, so you must be good at both attacking and defending.

Players cannot run with the ball, contact each other or dribble the ball. As you may not shoot if a defender is within an arms distance from you, the height advantage of basketball is removed. Another key difference is that you both attack and defend, swapping each two goals, so concentration and adaptability are key.

Korfball is fast and skillful. It is a free flowing, tactical game. But most of all, korfball is unique - it's the only true mixed sport.