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Official rules

Concise Rules flyer in Adobe Acrobat PDF format from the English Korfball Association.

These are the rules for indoor korfball as given by the International Korfball Federation.

Field of play and bench

The dimensions of the field of play are 40 x 20 m. The field of play is divided into two equal zones by a line parallel to the ends of the field. The free height is preferably 9m but must not be less than 7m.

The two benches shall be placed near one of the sidelines, one on each side of the middle line, separated from each other by at least two metres.

Marking

The whole of the field of play is marked out by clearly visible lines, which should be 3-5cm wide. The line separating the two zones is marked in the same way. The penalty spots must be marked 2.5m in front of the post as seen from the centre of the field.

Posts

The posts are erected in both zones at a point which is midway between the two side lines and one-sixth of the length of the field of play from the end line. The posts are round and may consist of solid wood, metal tubing or synthetic material with an external diameter of 4.5-8cm. They are fixed perpendicularly in or on the ground.

Baskets

A basket is fitted to each post. The basket must face towards the centre and all of its top edge must be 3.50m above the ground. The baskets are cylindrical without a bottom; they are 25cm high and have an inner diameter of 39-41cm. The rim of the basket has a width of 2-3cm. The baskets are made of cane; they must be one colour and must be similar.

The method of fixing the baskets to the post must satisfy the following conditions:

No movement of the basket with respect to the post is permitted;
The post must not protrude above the basket;
No fixtures of more than 1cm may protrude inside or outside: a metal support underneath the basket is only permitted over not more than one quarter of the circumference nearest to the post; metal strips against the outside of the basket are only permitted over one third of the circumference.

Ball

Korfball is played with a round ball whose outer casing is made from leather or other approved materials. The surface of the ball should not be smooth; the players should be allowed to have a good grip e.g. by the seams of the ball. Indicated on the surface of the ball should be which range of pressures are suitable for the particular ball's construction. The indication will be made in bar but an extra indication in pounds per square inch is permitted.

The ball shall be two-coloured (preferably white/black). No material shall be used in its construction which might prove dangerous to the players. The circumference is 68-70.5cm. It must be inflated to the prescribed pressure indicated on the ball.

At the start of a match the weight of the ball must be not less than 445g and not more than 475g. When it is dropped onto the playing surface from a height of about 1.80m, measured from the bottom of the ball, it will rebound to a height, measured to the top of the ball, of not less than 1.10m nor more than 1.30m.

Players

Numbers and position The game is played by two teams, each consisting of four (4) male and four female players, of whom two (2) men and two women are placed in each zone.

Incomplete teams

When one or both teams are incomplete, the games 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 division one female and two male players are opposed by one male and two female players.

Substitution of players

Up to two players of a team can be substituted without the approval of the referee. After the aforementioned substitutions, injured players who can no longer take part in the match may be substituted with the permission of the referee. A player sent off by the referee can be replaced by one of the substitutes. If either of the substitutions referred to above has not been made then this replacement shall be deemed to be one of those substitutions. If two or more players have already been substituted then the player may still be replaced. If the player sent off is not replaced then the team shall still be deemed to have used one of the two substitutions referred to above and in addition the team may not have any more substitutions of the same sex as the player sent off. Once a player has been substituted he cannot return to the match.

Equipment of players

The players of each side must be dressed in a uniform sports costume which is sufficiently different from that of the other side. The players must wear shoes. Players are prohibited to wear objects which can cause injuries during the game.

Captain, Coach, Substitutes and other persons attached to the team Captain

One player of each team is the 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 the team coach, he informs the referee of any change in the team, may ask for a timeout and informs the referee and the coach of the opposing team which of his attackers will not shoot. He has the right to draw the referee's attention to anything he thinks desirable in the interest of the good progress of the match.

Coach

A coach is permitted to accompany his team to a match. The coach must sit on the bench allocated to his team. The coach or any other person attached to the team is not allowed to enter the field of play without the permission of the referee. If at any time there is no coach present, the tasks named under b, c, d and e of the explaination go to the captain.

Substitutes and other persons

If a team is accompanied by substitutes and/or other persons attached to the team, then during the game those persons must sit on the bench. No other person is allowed to sit on the bench. The maximum number of substitutes that is allowed to sit on the bench is eight. The maximum of other persons attached to the team that may sit on the bench, in addition to the coach, is four. The substitutes and all other persons allowed to sit on the bench are considered members of the team.

Referee

The referee controls the game. His task is:

- to decide the suitability of the hall, field of play and material The referee ascertains before the match that the hall and field are suitable, that the materials satisfy the stipulations and that everything is ready for the commencement of the game. He pays attention to any changes which might occur during the game.

- to enforce the rules. The referee punishes infringements of the rules. If it is to the disadvantage of the non-offending team the referee may choose not to punish an infringement ('advantage rule'). He takes action when one side obtains an unfair advantage from circumstances outside the game. He decides in cases of doubt. When two infringements take place simultaneously the referee shall punish the more serious infringement.

- to indicate the starting, stopping and re-starting of the game and a time out by means of blowing a whistle To start or re-start the game the referee blows his whistle as soon as the player taking the throw is ready and all the requirements (19 and 20) are satisfied.

- to take action against misbehaviour by the players, coaches, substitute players and other persons attached to the team and interference by the public In the case of misbehaviour the referee can warn any of the persons attached to the team formally, or he can send the person in question away from the playing area. In case of a person allowed to sit on the bench the referee can also forbid that person to leave the bench without his permission during the rest of the match. The referee has the power to withdraw all authority from the coach for the duration of the match and send him away from the playing area.

When it appears necessary to him, he can let the public be warned or removed, or he can cancel or terminate the match.

Timekeeper

If at all possible, the referee will appoint a timekeeper whose duty is to warn the referee just before the end of each half of the game. When play has stopped the timekeeper may also make an audible signal to the referee to advise him that one of the teams has requested a time-out or substitution.

Linesmen

In each match there are two linesmen whose duty is to make sure whether the ball is 'out', whether a rule has been infringed and to draw attention to any foul made in their vicinity. The linesmen indicate the spot where the free pass should be taken after the ball has gone out of play or after an infringement of the rules on, or outside, the field of play. The referee will tell the linesmen their positions. In the case of unpermitted interference, partiality, improper conduct, showing approval, disapproval or encouragement of one of the teams by a linesman, the referee has the right to deprive him of his function.

Duration and time-out

Duration

A game lasts two times thirty (2 x 30) minutes with ten (10) minutes rest.

Time-out

A time-out is a break in the game lasting sixty seconds. During a game each team has the right to ask for a time-out with a maximum of two for each team. The referee may only be asked for a time-out by the coach when the play is stopped. The coach makes a request to the referee for a time-out and he confirms to the referee that his request concerns a time-out by making a T-signal with both hands. After the time-out the game is re-started on the spot, and in the manner, that the game would have been re-started if no time-out had occurred.

Goals

A team scores a goal when: the ball has fallen completely through the basket which is positioned in the attack zone of that team, except for the cases mentioned under c. it is sure that the ball would have fallen completely through the basket, but that it is tapped back from underneath by a defender, except for the cases mentioned under c.

A goal stands even when the referee has previously blown for an infringement committed by a defender, provided the ball had left the hands of the shooting attacker at the moment of whistling and was outside the reach of any defender, except for the cases mentioned under c. The referee does not allow the goal when he has blown his whistle before the ball has fallen through the basket and the infringement was committed by an attacker, or because he has blown for the end of the first, or the second, half of the match, the ball has fallen through the basket following a throw from the defence zone or direct from a free pass;, he has observed an infringement committed by the attacking side but has not blown for the infringement until after the ball has gone through the basket, he has previously observed an unfair advantage to the attacking side, the ball is first thrown from underneath through the basket and then falls back again through the basket. The team scoring the most goals wins the match.

Line up

Choice of line up

The home team decides into which basket they will shoot in the first half. They arrange their players in the two zones and the visiting team arranges their side accordingly.

Change in line up

Normally the same line up is maintained throughout the match. If, however, during the game circumstances alter owing to the dropping out or sending off of a player, the referee can, at the request of a coach and after consulting the other coach, permit a change. He will order a change when this is necessary to comply with the conditions mentioned above or when the number of players with a direct opponent is less than absolutely necessary.

Zone changes and changes of ends Each time that two goals have been scored the players change zones. At half time there is a change of ends. The players move to the other zone.

Throw off

The throw off is taken by an attacker from a point inside his zone near the centre of the field. A throw off takes place at the start of the game, at 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 free pass.

Infringements of the rules

During the game it is prohibited:

- to touch the ball with leg or foot. If the touching is unintentional and exerts no important influence upon the game it will not be punished. - to hit the ball with the fist

- to take hold of the ball in a fallen position

- to run with the ball. Running with the ball is contrary to the requirement of cooperation. Change of position with possession of the ball is therefore only permitted when otherwise it would be impossible to pass the ball fluently or to shoot or to stop with the ball. In applying these principles three cases are to be distinguished. When seizing the ball the player stands 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. When seizing the ball the player is running or jumping, first stops and afterwards throws the ball or shoots. The requirement is that, after seizing the ball, he has immediately and fully tried to come to a stop. After coming to a stop, the same rules apply as mentioned under 1. After seizing the ball while running or jumping the player throws the ball or shoots before he has come to a stop completely. In this case the player is not allowed to be still in possession of the ball at the moment that he places his foot on the ground for the third time after receiving the ball.

- to avoid cooperation (solo-play). Solo-play is not punishable when the player does not change his position appreciably or when the avoidance of cooperation was not intentional.

- to hand the ball to another player of one's own team

- to delay the game

- to knock, take or run the ball out of an opponent's hand

- to push, to cling to, or to hold off an opponent. This unlawful hindering of an opponent has to be punished no matter whether this opponent does or does not possess the ball even if the ball is in the other zone. Every impediment of the free movement of an opponent is forbidden whether this is done deliberately or not. 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 jumps so suddenly in the path of a moving opponent that a collision becomes inevitable.

- to hinder an opponent excessively. This rule applies when the opponent has the ball in his possession. The hindering player is allowed to hinder the throwing of the ball in the desired direction by actions which 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. Unexpected movements by an opponent will often cause a restriction in a player's freedom of movement. Such cases will not be punished, provided immediate action is taken by the opponent to restore the player's freedom of movement.

- to hinder an opponent of the opposite sex in throwing the ball

- to hinder an opponent who is already being hindered by another player

- to play outside one's zone

- to shoot from a defended position. The shot must be considered defended when the hindering defender satisfies each of the following conditions:
- 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),
- he must be within arm's length of the attacker. (Arm's length means that the defender is able to touch the front of the attacker),
- he must have his face turned towards the attacker,
- he must actually try to block the ball.

- to shoot after cutting past another attacker. Cutting occurs when a defender, who is in a defending position, cannot follow this attacker because the attacker runs so close past another attacker that the defender collides with, or is likely to collide with, this attacker and is therefore forced to give up his defending position. Cutting also occurs when a defender, who is in a hindering position within arm's length of his attacker, cannot follow this attacker because the attacker runs so close past another attacker that the defender collides with, or is likely to collide with, this attacker and is therefore forced to give up his hindering position within arm's length.

- to score from the defence zone or directly from a free pass

- to shoot when one plays without a personal opponent. This occurs when the defence 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. The coach is entitled to change his decision during the match, but only after informing the referee and the other coach at a time when the ball is dead (i.e. the referee has blown for an infringement, a goal, etc.). This change of an attacker is only allowed twice between a change of zones. A goal can be made from a penalty by an attacker without a personal opponent.

- to influence a shot by moving the post

- to take hold of the post when jumping, running or in order to move away quickly

- to violate the conditions laid down for a free pass or a penalty

- to play in a dangerous manner. For an attacker to force his defender, who is within arm's distance of the attacker, to collide at speed with another attacker.

Out-ball

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 free pass is awarded against the side who touched the ball last.

Referee-throw (throw-up)

When two opponents seize the ball simultaneously, the referee will stop play and will throw the ball up. The same applies when play must be re-started without one side being entitled to the ball. For this purpose the referee chooses two players from the zone concerned, who must be of the same sex and if possible of about the same height. The two players take up a position on either side of the referee with the defender taking up his position first. These two players may touch the ball after the ball has reached its highest point during the throw-up. The other players must observe a distance of 2.5m and may only touch the ball after one of the two selected players has touched the ball or after the ball has been in contact with the ground.

Free Pass

A free pass is awarded to the opposing side after the referee has indicated that one of the rules has been violated.

The free pass is taken from the spot where the infringement was committed. If the infringement was committed against a certain person, then the free pass is taken from the spot where this person was standing.

In the case of an out-ball or when a rule has been violated on or outside the boundaries of the field of play, then the free pass is taken from outside the field near the boundary line where the ball or the offending player crossed the line. When the ball is out because it touches the ceiling or an object above the field of play, the free pass is taken near one of the long boundaries and nearest to the spot where the ball touched the ceiling or the object.

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 commencement of play within four seconds.

During the preparation period for a free pass the referee is allowed to punish any infringements of the rules. Following the raising of the arm there are two possibilities. All the players are at a distance of at least 2.5m from the taker of the free pass. When the free pass is taken in the attack zone the players of the same team as the taker of the free pass are also at a distance of at least 2.5m from each other.

As soon as the above situation exists within the four seconds preparation time the referee shall blow his whistle to restart 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 free pass to the other side. The players of the opposing team must remain where they are until the taker of the free pass moves the ball or makes a clearly visible movement of an arm or leg. The players of the same team as the taker of the free pass must remain where they are until the ball has been brought into play. The ball is brought into play when either

- a player of the opposing team touches the ball, or

- when a player of the same team as the player taking the free pass touches the ball whilst standing at least 2.5m from the spot at which the pass has been taken, or when the ball has travelled at least 2.5m from the place of the free pass (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 moved freely through the air and has been touched by another player. When the person taking the free pass 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 free pass can be taken and before the ball has left his hands, then the referee awards a free pass to the opposing side on the other side of the boundary line.

When the players do not meet the conditions mentioned above within four seconds of the referee raising his arm, he will whistle twice quickly in succession, the first time to restart the game and the second time to stop play, and punish the infringing team with a free pass. If players from both teams are within 2.5m then the referee will punish the player who is nearest to the taker of the free pass. If the referee considers players from both teams are at the same incorrect distance then the attacking team shall be penalised. When the defending team in the attacking zone makes this infringement for the second time at the same free pass the referee will give a penalty.

Penalty

Infringements which result in the loss of a scoring chance are punished by the award of a penalty to the other side. A penalty can also be awarded for other infringements which repeatedly hinder the attack unfairly.

The penalty must be taken from the penalty spot, which is 2.5m from the post as seen from the centre of the field.

It is permitted to score directly from a penalty. The person taking the penalty 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. The penalty must be retaken if it is taken before the referee has blown his whistle to indicate that the penalty may be taken. All other players must observe a distance of 2.5m (in all directions) from any point on the imaginary line between the spot and the post. They must refrain from any actions or comments which 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.