OK, I am no Jim McKay.
Jim McKay, for those who don't know television history, was the host of ABC's The Wide World of Sports, which was shamelessly reworded to title this weekly Physical Education lesson. McKay would travel throughout the world (including the USSR) and bring the greatest sporting events to living rooms everywhere.
The show has long since been turned into the official name of any production of ABC Sports.
So, let's say The Wide World of Sports, as a show, was still being broadcast today. Jim McKay may have gone to the Netherlands next week. Why? In 6 days, the Netherlands will be hosting the Korfball World Championships. It's not just any year for the Korfball World Championships: this year marks the 100th year of competitive Korfball.
So what is Korfball, you ask?
To play Korfball, two teams of eight players must be formed. Each team must have four men and four women.
These players compete on a court that is 40 feet by 20 feet, with two elevated baskets on each end. On each side of the court are four players from each team, two male and two female. One side of the court will consist of a team attacking, and the other will be defending.
The basket is an actual basket, much like the peach baskets James Naismith used in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1891 when he invented the game of basketball. The baskets are required by the International Korfball Federation to be made of cane or canelike material.
There is no backboard, and watching a game of Korfball may, on the surface, appear to be a basketball nostalgia game. That is not the case.
First of all, there is no dribbling. To move the ball you must make a pass. The defending team will attempt to prevent passes and shots on the hoop, but physical contact cannot be made. Men cannot defend females, and even pivoting is not allowed once your foot makes contact with the ground.
The ball is smooth, but has a size and weight similar to a basketball. The ball is designed to prevent grip.
Showing off and "solo-playing" are strictly forbidden by the rules of Korfball. So Kobe Bryant would be a mediocre Korfball player, and John Stockton would be a legend. This sport is starting to grow on me.
Korfball is popular in the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia, but has spread through much of Europe.
Write to Will at wjohargan@bsu.edu
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
