Communication: The Importance of “Calling” in Korfball

 

 

 

Defence Calls

 

 

Tight

 

When to call – If one of your opponents is in the collect position, but they have no one in the feed position, the defender closest to the post should shout “Tight”.

 

What to do – If “Tight” is being called, defenders should mark their opponents closely, as they are likely to shoot.

 

 

Boy/Girl Feed

 

When to call – If an attacker moves into the feed position, their defender should stand between them and the post, with their hand up, calling “Boy (or girl) Feed”, whether the feed has the ball or not.

 

What to do – When the call is “Feed”, defenders should hang off their opponent, i.e. stay about two steps away from them.  Do not let the attacker run past you.  If the ball is passed to your opponent, go closer to them to stop them shooting, but beware of the running-in shot.

 

 

Switch

 

When to call – If your opponent runs past you while the ball is in the feed position.

 

What to do – If a girl calls “Switch”, then the other girl defender should try to defend the girl who has run past your team mate.  Similarly, if a boy calls “Switch”, the other boy should change whom they are defending.

 

 

Shot

 

When to call – If your player takes a long shot.  This lets your team mates under the post know that a shot is coming, so they can be ready to collect.

 

What to do – A shot is on its way, so the defender in the collect position should be ready to collect a rebound.

 

 

Party

 

When to call – “Party” is called when an interception is made by the defenders.  It lets the rest of the team know that you have regained possession of the ball.

 

What to do – When “Party” is called, defenders should stop defending and look to get the ball back to your attackers in the other half.  Attackers should get ready to receive the ball from your defenders.

 

 

 

Attack Calls

 

 

Communication is also important for the attackers.  You should indicate to your feed that you want to receive the ball, for example during a running in shot.  A simple “Yep” will do.  Other things you might say to your team mates include “Got The Post” to let the feed know that you are in the collect position.  And if you want to run round the collect to get a good feed position (or round the feed to get a good collect position), let the other player know that you want them to stay where they are.