THE RULES OF KORFBALL

<< Back to index

7 SANCTIONS & DISCIPLINARY

7.6 Disciplinary

The referees can consider any unsporting action from a player, coach, substitute player or any other person attached to a team, as misbehaviour, e.g. inadmissible forms of appeal, any kind of discriminatory comments or actions or demonstrative gestures against the referees or any other participant in the match (see 4.1 to 4.11) and spectators.

In the case of misbehaviour, the referees can::

  • informally warn the person that they must change their method of playing or their behaviour;
  • formally warn the person by showing them a yellow card;
  • formally warn the same person for the second time by showing them a second yellow card, followed by a red card;
  • in case of serious misbehaviour, send the person off at once by showing them a red card.
  • with respect to the coach or assistant coach, the referees have the power to forbid them from leaving the bench without their permission during the rest of the match.

A person who has been given a yellow card:

  • If a player is currently playing, they must be substituted and sit on the bench for 4 minutes of real playing time. They may leave the bench to warm up or to be substituted only after that period;
  • If a player is a substitute player, they may only be available to take part in the match after 4 minutes of real playing time;
  • If they are any other person attached to the team, the card will be attributed to the coach with the consequences described below;
  • If they are the coach or assistant coach, both must sit on the bench for 4 minutes of real playing time. For that period, they lose the right to leave their place on the bench for any reason, including:
      • to give instructions to the team’s players;
      • to request and / or use a time-out (see 5.8);
      • to request and execute a substitution (see 5.9).

If the team B coach requests a time out during the time penalty for the team A coach, team A coach and assistant coach cannot stand or talk with the team during the time-out.
If the coach had requested a time-out prior to receiving a yellow card, the time-out will be withdrawn and will not take place. The team will be able to use it after the time penalty has finished.

A person shown a red card must leave the playing area (see 1.1) and sit in the area reserved for spectators or leave the hall altogether, whichever they choose and:

  • If they are a player, they must be replaced by a substitute;
  • If they are any other person attached to the team, the card will be attributed to the coach, and both must abandon the field of play and the assistant coach loses all coaching rights and must sit on the bench for the rest of the match. After a period of 4 minutes, the captain can replace the coach in requesting a time-out and requesting and executing substitutions.

Examples of actions that may be treated as misbehaviour:

  • any unsporting action as inadmissible forms of appeal or demonstrative gestures against any other participant in the match or spectators;
  • uttering insults, no matter to whom addressed;
  • making remarks to a referee about their knowledge of the rules;
  • leaving the field of play without informing the referees;
  • repeatedly infringing the rules, especially after a warning;
  • striking, punching, kicking or intentionally running down an opponent;
  • deliberately moving the post during a shot;
  • deliberately throwing the ball against the body of an opponent;
  • hindering the taker of a re-start;
  • preventing the preparation of the free pass or trying to prevent the taking of the free pass;
  • disturbing the person taking the penalty;
  • both teams intentionally passively playing the game in turns or appear to accept the score as it is with no ambitions to change it. The referees shall warn both captains together that this form of play is regarded as misbehaviour and if continued may lead to a formal warning and the game to be stopped;
  • delaying the retaking of positions after a time-out (the captain shall be warned);
  • failing to inform the referees of a substitution (the coach shall be warned);
  • a coach or assistant coach entering the field of play without the permission of the referees;
  • a coach or assistant talks with the team during the time penalty;
  • a coach or assistant coach misusing the right to leave their place in the bench (see 4.4);
  • a captain misusing the right to draw the referee’s attention to anything they think desirable in the interest of the good progress of the match and/or criticism of the referees (see 4.3);
  • throwing the ball far outside the field;
  • kicking the ball when the game has been stopped;
  • time wasted when changing zones.

The jurisdiction of the referees, with respect to occurrences of misconduct for which a card can be shown and the occurrence can be recorded on the match form, is from the time the team sheet is handed in (declaring which players will start and which players will be substitutes), until the match form is signed by the captains and the referee.

If misconduct takes place before the match, or during the half time period, then the yellow or red card shall be shown to the aforementioned person concerned at that time and the captain and coach of both teams shall be informed before the next half begins.

Example #1