THE ABRIDGED RULES OF KORFBALL
Summary of the official Rules of Korfball as
approved by the International Korfball Federation
Definition and introduction
Korfball is a sport played by hand within a
rectangular field of play whereby a team of four female players and four male
players tries to shoot a ball into a korf.(basket). The sport�s main
characteristics encompass all-round skills, cooperative play, controlled
physical contact and gender equality. Whenever the word "he" is used
it should be understood that this could be "she".
1.1 Playing area
The playing area shall be
deemed to be the field of play together with its border area and the benches.
The dimensions of the field are
40 x 20 m indoors (with a minimum free height of 7 m) and 60 x 30 m (maximum)
outdoors, divided into two equal zones. The ratio of length to width is 2:1.
An area 1m wide and kept clear of
obstacles should surround the field.
Two benches shall be placed near
one of the sidelines (preferably 2 m from the field of play), one on each side
of the middle line, separated from each other by at least two metres.
The field of play is marked out
by clearly visible lines, which should be 3.0 - 5.0 cm wide. The line
separating the two zones is marked in the same way. Tapes may be used outdoors
provided they are fixed flat to the ground. The penalty spots must be marked in
front of the posts, as seen from the centre of the field, with the edge of the
spot furthest from the post at a distance of 2.50 m from the post.
Posts with an external diameter
of 4.5 - 8.0 cm are fixed perpendicularly in or on the ground in both zones at
a point situated midway between the two sidelines and one-sixth of the length
of the field of play from the end line.
A cylindrical bottomless korf is
fitted to each post. The korf must face towards the centre and all of its top
edge must be 3.50 m above the ground. They are 23.5 - 25.0 cm high and have an
inner diameter on the upper side of 39.0 - 41.0 cm. The rim (top edge) of the
korf has a width of 2.0 -3.0 cm. The korfs are made of cane or approved
synthetic material. They must be similar and must be in a single colour that
contrasts sufficiently from the background. Korfs are attached to the posts in
such a way that movement is not permitted and the post must not protrude above
the top of the korf. If metal supports are used underneath then they may only
cover one quarter of the circumference nearest to the post. Metal strips
against the outside may only cover one third of the circumference.
Korfball is played with a round
number 5 ball of a type that has been approved by the IKF. The ball shall be
two-coloured (preferably white/black). Its circumference should be 68.0 � 70.5
cm and the weight of the ball must be in the range 445 g to 475 g inclusive.
The ball must be inflated to the prescribed pressure indicated on it so that
when it is dropped onto the playing surface from a height of about 1.80 m,
measured from the bottom of the ball, it should rebound to a height, measured
to the top of the ball, of between 1.10 m and 1.30 m.
The players of each side must be
dressed in a uniform sports outfit that is sufficiently different from that of
the other side. The referee and his assistant must wear outfits that are
sufficiently different from the competing teams. No one is allowed to wear any
object that could cause an injury during the game.
2.1 Players
a number and position
Each team consists of four male
and four female players, of whom two male and two female players are placed in
each zone.
When one or both teams are
incomplete, the game can only start or be continued if a line-up is possible
which ensures that no zone has less than three players from each side and that
in no zone one female and two male players are opposed by one male and two
female players. Unless circumstances change that require a change in line up
for the game to continue (due to players leaving the game and substitutes being
unavailable) then the same line up in maintained throughout the match.
Up to four players of a team can
be substituted. If the maximum permitted number of substitutions has already
been made, then a player who has been sent off, or injured players who can no
longer take part in the match, may still be replaced with the permission of the
referee. Players may not return to the match once substituted. Players who are
sent off may be replaced by a substitute to maintain a complete team.
a Captain
One player of each team is
captain. He wears a clearly visible band on the upper part of his left arm. He
represents the team and is responsible for the proper conduct of his players.
In the absence of a coach he also fulfils the task of the coach.
When a coach is present he makes
himself known to the referee before the match. He shall remain seated on the
bench but may leave the bench for short periods to talk to his team from
outside the field in a manner that will not disturb others. During a break in
play, he may request substitutions or apply for a time out.
The substitutes and all other
persons allowed to sit on the bench are considered members of the team. They
must all remain seated on the bench during the match.
The referee controls the game.
His task is:
- to
decide the suitability of the hall, field of play, material (and weather
when played outdoors).
- to
enforce the rules.
- to
use the official signals to clarify his decision
- to
take action when one side obtains an unfair advantage from circumstances
outside the game
- to
indicate the starting, stopping and re-starting of the game and a time out
by means of blowing a whistle.
- to
take action against misbehaviour by the players, coaches, substitute
players and other persons attached to the team
- to
take action against interference by the public. Except when the punishment
would be to the disadvantage of the non-offending side ('advantage rule'), the referee may choose to punish any infringements of the rules, including
when play has stopped. He takes action when one side obtains an unfair
advantage from circumstances outside the game. He decides in cases of
doubt. He starts or re-starts the game by blowing his whistle as soon as
the player taking the throw is ready and all the requirements (3.9, 3.10
or 3.11) are satisfied. When two infringements take place simultaneously,
the referee punishes the more serious infringement. In cases of
misbehaviour the referee can choose to warn the player, coach, substitute
or person attached to the team formally, by showing a yellow card, or
informally. If a person who has been shown a yellow card misbehaves for a
second time then he must be sent off the field and away from the playing
area by showing a red card.
If at all possible a timekeeper
and scorer will be appointed.
If at all possible in each match
there should be an assistant referee whose duty it is to make sure whether the
ball is 'out', to draw the attention to any foul made in his vicinity and to
undertake other pre-defined duties as notified by the referee. He attracts the
referee's attention by means of a flag and during the game should be positioned
within the playing area but outside the field of play.
3.1. Duration and time out
a A match lasts 2 x 30 minutes with a maximum of 10 minutes
rest (2 x 35 minutes outdoors).
b A time out is a break in the game lasting 60 seconds. Each team may request up to two time outs per match. After the time-out the game is restarted on the spot, and in the manner, that the game would have been restarted if no time-out had occurred. The referee has the power to extend each half to compensate for delays outside the game or delays caused by infringements of rule 3.6 g. Time outs and the time used for substitutions are not part of the game's duration.
A goal is scored when the ball
has, from above, passed completely through the korf in a team's attack zone. (A
ball thrown through one's own korf counts as a goal for the opposing team). A
goals stands even when the referee has previously blown for an infringement
committed by a defender provided the ball has left the hands of the shooting
attacker at the moment of the whistling and was outside the reach of the
defenders. A goal is disallowed if the referee has previously observed an
infringement or unfair advantage by the attacking team, or if the throw was
from the defence zone or direct from a free pass or re-start. The team scoring
most goals wins the match.
a Choice of line up
The competition rules shall
decide into which korf each team will shoot in the first half. Teams shall
arrange their players in the two zones according to the conditions of the
competition rules. (In the absence of competition rules, or any indication in
such rules, then each team will inform the referee which of their players shall
be their first attacking players and a toss shall be made to determine which
team shall attack which korf in the first half.)
If during the game circumstances
alter, owing to the dropping out or sending off of a player, and substitutes
are not available the referee can permit a change. He will order a change when
it is necessary to comply with the conditions mentioned in 2.1 b or when the
number of players with a direct opponent is less than absolutely necessary.
Each time that two goals have been
scored, the roles of the players change. Attackers become defenders and
defenders become attackers and this is achieved by the players changing zones.
There is no change of roles at half time merely a change of ends.
A throw off is taken by an
attacker from a point inside his zone near the centre of the field at the start
of the game, the start of the second half and after every goal. In the first
case the throw off is taken by the home team, in the second case by the
visiting team and in the last case by the team who has just conceded the goal.
The same stipulations apply as for a re-start (see 3.9).
The punishments for infringements
of the rules are determined by whether the infringements are made by defenders
or are infringements made by attackers. In high level korfball some
infringements made by defenders are divided into light infringements (punished
by a re-start) and heavy infringements (punished by a free pass from the
penalty spot). Where such a distinction is not made then all infringements made
by defenders are considered to be heavy and the free pass is taken from where
the offence occurred. Some infringements made by a defender may lead to the
award of a penalty to the attacking team (see 3.11). Since this abridged
version of the rules is not aimed at high level korfball these distinctions
between light and heavy are not made in the foregoing rules. For further
details please refer to the full version of the rules and their accompanying
Guidance Notes.
a to touch the ball with leg
or foot.
Unless the offence was a
deliberate act by a defender and an advantage gained as a result (in which case
a free pass is awarded) then all infringements of this rule are punished by a
re-start being awarded to the opposing team.
All hitting with a clenched fist
is punishable, even when the ball is actually touched by the wrist or the back
of the hand. If the infringement is made by a defender a free pass is awarded;
if by an attacker then a re-start is awarded.
Infringements by both attackers
and defenders are punished by the award of a re-start.
A change of position with
possession of the ball is only permitted in the following three cases:
1.
The player receives the ball whilst
standing at rest. In this case he may move one leg at will, provided the other
one remains in its place. Turning on the latter is permitted. From a
stationary position, a player is not allowed to move one foot and subsequently
lift the other foot before the ball has left the hands, particularly during a
scoring effort. Jumping is permitted provided that the leg that has not moved
is used for the takeoff. If after the jump the player comes down with the ball
still in his hands and lands in a position away from where he jumped, then this
has to be considered as an infringement of the no-running rule.
2.
The player receives the ball whilst
running or jumping and comes to a stop before he throws the ball or shoots. The
requirement is that, after seizing the ball, he has immediately and fully tried
to come to a stop within the least possible distance. After coming to a stop,
the same rules apply as mentioned under 1.
3.
The player receives the ball whilst
running or jumping and throws the ball or shoots before he has completely come
to a stop. In this case the player is not allowed to still be in possession of
the ball at the moment that he places a foot on the ground for the third time
after receiving the ball. The referee has to pay careful attention to the
moment that the moving player receives the ball. When applying this rule the
direction in which the player is moving is of no interest. Infringements by
both attackers and defenders are punished by the award of a re-start.
Solo-play is the deliberate
avoidance of cooperation, i.e. a player tries to change his position with the
ball in his possession without the help of another player. Solo-play is not
punishable when the player does not change his position appreciably or when the
avoidance of cooperation was not intentional Infringements by both attackers and
defenders are punished by the award of a re-start.
The ball must move freely through
the air or be free on the ground before being received by the second player.
Infringements by both attackers and defenders are punished by the award of a
re-start.
This includes failing to try to
create or take, scoring opportunities; waiting too long before passing the
ball; delaying the taking of a free pass by failing to take positions up as per 3.10c; wasting time during substitutions, following a time out or changing
zones. Infringements by both attackers and defenders are punished by the award
of a re-start.
The criterion is that the
opponent must have the ball reasonably under control. This control can exist in
holding the ball with one or two hands and also in letting the ball rest on the
palms or the fingers. Infringements by
defenders are punished by the award of a free pass; infringements made by an
attacker are punished by means of a re-start.
Every impediment of the free
movement of an opponent is forbidden whether this is done deliberately or not.
This unlawful hindering of an opponent's free movement has to be punished no
matter whether this opponent does or does not possess the ball and even if the
ball is in the other zone. This rule does not force a player to give way for
another player, i.e. each player allowed to position himself just as he
pleases. He will only be punished when he moves so suddenly into the path of a
moving opponent that a collision becomes inevitable. Infringements by defenders
are punished by the award of a free pass; infringements made by an attacker are
punished by means of a re-start.
The hindering player is allowed
to hinder the throwing of the ball in the desired direction by actions that
result in the ball being thrown against his hand or arm. He is allowed to block
the ball by bringing his arm in the path of the ball, but he must not hinder
his opponent in the free use of his body by blocking the arm instead of the
ball or beat the ball or hit the throwing arm, i.e. the hindering arm or hand
must not move towards the ball at the instant of contact. An infringement by an
attacker is punished by the award of a re-start; an infringement by a defender
is punished by the award of a free pass.
An infringement by an attacker is
punished by the award of a re-start; an infringement by a defender is punished
by the award of a free pass.
An infringement by an attacker is
punished by the award of a re-start; an infringement by a defender is punished
by the award of a free pass.
A player is outside his zone
when he touches a boundary line, the centre line, or the ground outside his
zone, or has jumped from a boundary line, the centre line or the ground outside
his zone. Playing can consist of touching the ball as well as hindering an opponent.
Infringements by both attackers and
defenders are punished by the award of a re-start.
The shot must be considered
defended when the hindering defender satisfies each of the following four
conditions: 1 he must be nearer the post than the attacker (except when he and
the attacker are near and on opposite sides of the post in which case
conditions 2, 3 and 4 alone are sufficient). 2 he must be within arm's length
of the attacker. (Arm 's length means that the defender is close enough to be
able to touch the chest of the attacker). 3 he must have his face turned
towards the attacker. 4 he must actually try to block the ball. Infringements
are punished by the award of a re-start.
'Cutting' occurs when a defender,
who is within arm's length of his attacker, cannot follow his attacker because
the attacker runs so close past another attacker that the defender collides
with, or is likely to collide with, this attacker and therefore is forced to
give up his hindering or defending position and subsequently shoots. Cutting in
itself is not an offence, only shooting after cutting. Infringements are
punished by the award of a re-start.
Infringements are punished by the
award of a re-start from under the korf.
This occurs when the defence zone
has only three players against an attack of four players. In that case the coach
of the attacking side must inform the referee, and the other coach, which of
his attackers will not shoot. A change of attacker can be made at any time when
play has stopped but is only allowed twice between a change of zones. A goal
can be made from a penalty by an attacker without a personal opponent.
Infringements are punished by the award of a re-start.
The goal counts if the ball goes
through the korf after a defender has moved the post. The goal counts even if
the referee has already blown for this offence by the defender (see 3.2). A
penalty will be awarded if the movement of the post by a defender might have
prevented a goal. The penalty is awarded because a scoring chance was lost. If
an attacker moves the post and the ball goes through the korf then a re-start
will be awarded to the defence. If an attacker moves the post and the ball does
not go through the korf then the referee will not blow his whistle unless the
ball bounces back in a direction favourable to the attack. In this case he will
award a re-start to the defence. The referee will not blow his whistle when the
post is moved by a defender and the ball misses the korf by such a margin that
moving the post could not have influenced the result of the shot.
An infringement by an attacker is
punished by the award of a re-start; an infringement by a defender is punished
by the award of a free pass.
An infringement by an attacker is
punished by the award of a re-start; an infringement by a defender is punished
by the award of a free pass or the re-taking of the penalty.
An example of this is for an
attacker to force his defender, who is within arm's distance of the attacker,
to collide at speed with another attacker. Infringements
by an attacker are punished by the award of a re-start.
An infringement by an attacker is
punished by the award of a new re-start and may be deemed to be misbehaviour.
An infringement by a defender is punished by the award of a free pass and may
be deemed to be misbehaviour if this is repeated.
The ball is out as soon as it
touches a boundary line of the field of play, the ground, a person or an object
outside the field of play. The ball is also out when it touches the ceiling or
an object above the field of play. In the case of an out-ball, a re-start is
awarded against the side who touched the ball last.
When two opponents seize the ball
simultaneously, the referee will stop play and will throw the ball up. For this
purpose he chooses two opponents from the zone concerned, who must be of the
same sex and if possible of about the same height. The other players observe a
distance of 2.50 m and may only touch the ball after one of the two selected
opponents has touched the ball or after the ball has been in contact with the
ground.
a when to award a re-start
A re-start is awarded to the
opposing side after an infringement of the attacking team or a light
infringement of the defending team after the referee has indicated that one of
the rules in 3.6 has been violated.
The re-start is taken from the
spot where the infringement was committed. If the infringement was committed
against a certain person (3.6 h, i, j, k, l and sometimes m), then the
re-start is taken from the spot where this person was standing.
At the moment that the player
taking the re-start has, or can take, the ball in his hands the referee shall
blow his whistle. The player taking the re-start has, from the moment the
referee has blown his whistle, four seconds to bring the ball into play. The
players of the opposing team may not hinder him. The ball is brought into play
when the ball has travelled at least 2.50 m from the place of the re-start
(measured along the ground). No player from either team may touch the ball
until the ball has travelled 2.50 m from the place of the re-start. If the
taker of the re-start has not brought the ball into play within four seconds,
then the referee will blow his whistle and award a re-start to the other side.
The player taking the re-start is not allowed to score directly from the
re-start. He can only score when the ball has been brought into play and has
been touched by another player. When the person taking the re-start touches a
boundary line, or the playing area on the other side of the boundary line,
after the referee has blown his whistle to indicate that the re-start can be
taken and before the ball has left his hands, then the referee respectively
awards a re-start to the opposing side (see 3.6) or an out-ball (see 3.7).
A re-start must be retaken if the throw is taken before the referee has
blown his whistle for the taking of the throw.
a when to award a free pass
A free pass is awarded to the
opposing side after the referee has indicated that one of the rules in 3.6 has
been violated by the defending side.
The free pass is taken from the
spot where the infringement was committed. However, some competition rules
(particularly in higher levels of korfball) may state that the free pass is
taken from the penalty spot.
At the moment that the player
taking the free pass has, or can take, the ball in his hands the referee lifts
one of his arms vertically and gives the signal with four fingers on his raised
hand that he is going to whistle for the re-starting of play within four
seconds. Following the raising of the arm there are two possibilities (see A
and B).
1. All the players are at distance of at least 2.50 m from the spot where
the free pass is taken from. 2
2. The players of the same team as the taker of the free pass are also at a
distance of at least 2.50 m from each other. As soon as the above situation
exists within the four seconds preparation time, the referee shall blow his
whistle to re-start play. The player taking the free pass must bring the ball
into play within no more than four seconds after the whistle has gone for the
commencement of play. If the taker of the free pass has not brought the ball
into play within this period, then the referee shall blow his whistle and award
a re-start to the defending side. The players of the defending team must remain
meeting condition 1 until the taker of the free pass makes a clearly visible
movement of the ball, an arm or a leg. The players of the same team as the
taker of the free pass must remain meeting conditions 1 and 2 until the ball is
brought into play. The ball is brought into play when any one of the following
three things occurs: a player of the defending team touches the ball; a player
of the same team as the player taking the free pass touches the ball whilst
standing at least 2.50 m from the spot at which the pass has been taken; the
ball has travelled at least 2.50 m from the spot where the free pass was taken
(measured along the ground). The player taking the free pass is not allowed to
score directly from the free pass. He can only score when the ball has been
brought into play and has been touched by another player.
The players do not meet
conditions 1 and 2 mentioned above in A within four seconds of the referee
raising his arm. In this case the referee will whistle twice quickly in
succession, the first time to re-start the game and the second time to stop
play, and punish the infringing team. If the infringing team is the attacking
team then a re-start is awarded; if the offending team is the defenders then a
new free pass is awarded. When the defending team makes this infringement for
the second time at the same free pass the referee will give a penalty. If
players from both teams are within 2.50 m then the referee will punish the
player who is nearest to the spot where the free pass is taken. If the referee
considers players from both teams are at the same incorrect distance then the
attacking team will be penalised.
a when to award a penalty
A penalty is awarded in the following
situations: A Infringements that result in the loss of a free scoring chance of
the attacker. In such cases the referee must award a penalty immediately. B
Infringements repeatedly made by the defender that prevent the attacker from
obtaining scoring chances. In such cases the referee may award a penalty.
The penalty must be taken by a
player of the attack zone standing immediately behind the penalty spot (see
1.2).
The person taking the penalty shall
stand immediately behind the spot and must not touch the ground between the
post and the penalty spot with any part of his body before the ball has left
his hands. All other players must observe a distance of 2.50 m (in all
directions) from the spot, the post and any point on the imaginary line between
the spot and the post until the ball has left the hands of the player taking
the penalty. The opposing team, coach and members of that team's bench must
refrain from any actions or comments that may disturb the person taking the
penalty. If necessary the first, as well as the second, half of the match will
be prolonged for the taking of a penalty until it is clear that the ball has,
or has not, passed through the korf as a direct result of the penalty.
Recent Videos
-
220 Views - 0 Comments
-
214 Views - 1 Comment
-
233 Views - 0 Comments
-
175 Views - 0 Comments
