Korfball Penalty Shots and Free Passes
Students practice the korfball penalty shot, taken 2.5 m in front of the post, and the free pass awarded after a foul, then apply both in a coed game. The focus is shooting accuracy, understanding the rules, and respecting the officials.
How to play
- Place two posts on a 30 x 15 m court split into two zones and mark the penalty spot with a cone 2.5 m (8 ft) in front of each post; make coed teams of 8 (2 min).
- Penalty shots in partners: one shoots two-handed from the spot while the other rebounds; 10 shots each and track makes (6 min).
- Free pass: after a foul, the ball is put in play from where it happened, defenders back off 2.5 m, and there is no direct shot, so the ball must be passed first; practice it 4-on-4 in one zone (5 min).
- 4-on-4 per zone game: call obstruction, defended shots, and traveling; a foul on a clear shooter is a penalty and every other foul is a free pass (8 min).
- Players switch zones every two goals; finish by sharing each team's penalty percentage (1 min).
Rules
- Each player guards an opponent of the same sex, and no double-teaming.
- No shooting when the defender is closer to the post, facing you, with an arm up (defended shot).
- On a penalty, everyone else stays outside the 2.5 m area until the ball is released.
- No contact: no ripping the ball away and no pushing.
Variations
Easier
Move the penalty spot closer and allow one step into the shot.
Standard
Penalties from 2.5 m and free passes with defenders 2.5 m away and no direct shot.
Harder
Penalty shooters have 4 seconds, and each attack is limited to one minute.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: take the team's penalties from an adjusted distance and defend a fixed area.
- Hearing impairment: the student official signals a penalty with crossed arms and a free pass with one arm out.
- Fitness level: free subs when the attack moves to the other zone.
Learning goals
- Improve short-range shooting accuracy into the basket.
- Apply the korfball penalty and free pass correctly.
- Respect officials and opponents.
Equipment for a class of 25
- korfball posts: 2
- balls: 6
- pinnies: 12
- cones: 10
Teacher tip
Many students shoot penalties one-handed without bending their knees; ask for a two-hand shot powered by the legs. Make sure the post bases are stable before starting.
PatioLab has "Korfball Penalty Shots and Free Passes" and 2499 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
More activities like this
More main activities for High School
1-2-3-2-1 Running Pyramid Intervals
An interval workout where the fast segments build from 1 to 3 minutes and back down, with half that time as jogging recovery.
1-on-1 Self-Pass Volleyball
One-on-one games on narrow 10 x 20 foot courts where each player must self-pass before sending the ball over.
10-20-30 interval running in pairs
The 10-20-30 method strings together 30 seconds of easy jogging, 20 at a moderate pace and 10 at top speed, in five-minute blocks.
1v1 Ball Volley Matches
1v1 ball volley: singles games on a small court with a low net, hitting the ball over the net and allowing one bounce.
2-on-1 Fast Break with a Chasing Defender
Two attackers push a fast break against a defender waiting at the basket while a second defender chases from behind with a few yards' head start against them.
2-on-1 Through Three Defensive Zones
Pairs of attackers cross the court through three zones, each with a defender who cannot leave it, and finish with a shot on goal.