Korfball moves forward with rule changes

The Council of the International Korfball Federation has announced a series of rule changes as part of the continual improvement to further develop the world’s only mixed team sport. The changed rules come into effect on 1 September 2013.

The most striking change is to allow competition rules to prescribe that players may re-enter the game after having been substituted. The rule change should allow teams to better protect their athletes against injuries in intensive tournaments. The rule change has been designed such that there is no interruption in the game, and furthermore such that the all-round skills character of the game is maintained: players will have to play in both attack and defence at least once before they can be taken out.

In the coming days, the Council will be also announcing new rules for beach korfball, which allows the game to be played on a smaller court similar in size to a beach volleyball court.

The Council is also working to launch a fourth discipline of the game. Besides (indoor) korfball (8vs8), there is currently outdoor korfball (played on grass or artificial turf) (8vs8) and beach korfball (3vs3 or 4vs4). The council is preparing the launch of a small game, probably 4vs4, later this year.

This text was issued today in an IKF Press Release.

Changes in the Rules of Korfball to take effect from 1 Sept 2013

Explanation of the Changes in Playing Rules to come into effect on1 September 2013