Korfball is played indoors and outdoors. The size of the court is 20 x 40 m. The court is divided into halves called zones. In each zone is a 3.5 m (11.5 ft) tall post with a basket at the top. A korfball match consists of two periods of 30 minutes, with a break of 10 minutes in between periods. The ball is similar in size to that used in football but with more grip and bounce.

At the beginning of the match one team chooses one half of the court. That half will be their defending zone, with 'their' basket in it. Players score by throwing the ball through the opponents's basket. After two goals, the teams change zones: defenders become attackers and attackers become defenders. In between those zone-changes, attackers cannot set foot on their defending zone or vice versa.

Two men and two women of each team are in one zone, and the others are in the other zone. During the match they cannot switch zones. Men and women play side-by-side, but duels are man to man and woman to woman.