This guidance was revised to correct the rules when yellow cards are issued to a coach or other person on the bench on 21/09/2024.

The International Korfball Federation (IKF) has revised the Playing Rules of Korfball effective 1st September 2024.  There are two major rule changes for korfballers in England to be aware of, firstly to the Free Pass rule and secondly to the issuing of a Yellow Card.

Free Pass rule – changes around setup

The Free Pass rules are unchanged except relating to how players setup to take a Free Pass.  The new rules are as follows:

1. Once the referee signals for a Free Pass infringement, the attacking team have a short time (around 4 seconds) to take their preferred positions.  The defenders must allow the attackers to take whatever position they want around the Free Pass circle.
2. The attackers must remain 2.5m away from each other, outside the Free Pass circle, not straddle the post, etc.
3. Once the attackers are ready to take the Free Pass the referee will signal 4 seconds.  The defenders then have up to 4 seconds to take their positions to defend the attackers.
4. The sooner of all players being ready to take the Free Pass or 4 seconds the referee will whistle to give the attackers 4 seconds to take their Free Pass.
5. All other rules are otherwise unchanged.

Yellow card rule – applies to Regional League or higher

England Korfball have determined that the change to Yellow Cards will only apply to Regional Leagues or higher.

If a player is issued a Yellow Card, they must immediately be substituted for a period of 10% of the match time.  For a 60 minute match this would be 6 minutes, for a 50 minute match this would be 5 minutes and so on.  If the player is a substitute on the bench, they may not be substituted onto the pitch for the duration of the time penalty.

If a team has already used all 8 of their substitutions, the player who has been Yellow Carded must be replaced even if this is a ‘9th’ substitution.  They cannot return if their team has no more substitutions available.

The player may not return within the time period, even if the consequence is that team must play a player short.

If a coach,assistant coach or another official of the team receives a Yellow Card, they must all remain on their seat or team bench for the duration of the time period.  For the duration of the time penalty the penalised team may not call timeouts, make substitutions or be directly coached during play.  If the opposing team calls a timeout, then the penalised team may be coached during the TO only.

Referees, please remember that all Yellow Cards must be reported to England Korfball via discipline@englandkorfball.co.uk

Change in Disciplinary Period for Yellow and Red Cards

In addition to the above playing rule change regarding yellow cards, the EK Board have decided to reduce the disciplinary period from 24 months to 12 months. Therefore, if a person receives a yellow or red card, the card will only remain on that person’s record for 12 months, rather than 24 months.