js, the theory behind the defended rule is to stop 6'5 players throwing the ball over 5'9 players who are powerless to stop it. In korfball you actually have to try and create some space for yourself first. So, as someone over average stature, I much prefer it to basketball. Anyway, what do you need a backboard for if you can shoot accurately. ;p
Damn, I suck at HTML.
Those links in full
www.cardiffcitykorfball.co.uk
www.exeterkorfball.co.uk
www.swka.org
I warn you, the last site is written by someone whose grasp of HTML is shakier than mine, and it's impressively hideous.
Not only do I play korfball, I actually run a (small) league with teams from Cardiff, Bristol and Exeter.
The "no physical contact" rule never seems to have been fully applied, and it's now been modified to "controlled contact".
To be honest, you can tell that it was invented by a dutch schoolteacher, it's the most politically correct sport imaginable - not just mixed sex, but with an emphasis on teamwork over individual play, and with rules designed to limit the height advantage that is so crucial in Basketball and Netball.
It's interesting that it seems to have a very different image in the Netherlands compared to the UK. It's certainly not considered cool in the UK, but there's nothing uncool about it either. Also, I've heard that its considered a bit of a gay sport in the Netherlands, while many players in Britain seem to be motivated by a "Mixed sex? Wahey!" mentality.
It's a great sport to play, I think - certainly much better than netball - though I'm not convinced it offers much as a spectator sport.
I was at school in Ludlow from 16-18. Given that it is customary to hate everything at that age, I didn't think much of it. However...
It's very small, so you should be able to see all you want to in half a day.
It has a castle. By British standards, it's not a particularly good one, so if you've seen a few castles in Europe before, don't bother. If you haven't seen any castles, it's probably the big attraction in town.
Walk around. Not that you have any choice, as public transport is non-existent, but its appeal is (supposedly) in its general charm rather than specific places. Lots of nice, unspoilt, old buildings.
Eat. Ludlow has a very high reputation for some of its restaurants, much better than its status as a small provincial town might warrant. I can't offer specific recommendations, but this is something well worth checking out.
I think he overplays the loyalty thing a bit too much. I know when I think of ways to describe Lester Maddox, "loyal Democrat" wouldn't be the first one I'd think of ("Well he may be a fool, but he's our fool" perhaps?).
I mean disloyalty isn't a good thing, but the main problem with Zell is that he's wrong, not that he's betraying his party.
I'd advise them not to go to any of Stonehenge, Stratford or Bath.
Stonehenge is impressive, but Avebury is better and less crowded. Bath is pretty, but there are prettier places that won't take so long to get to. Stratford is dull and hackenyed, even for Shakespeare freaks, who'd be better advised to visit the Globe Theatre in London.
All of them would be much better seen in the summer, and Stonehenge in particular could be ruined by the January weather. If this is a once in a lifetime trip then maybe, if they envisage going again, leave it for a different trip.
If the latter, then I'd suggest staying in Leeds and (particularly) London as much as possible. There is plenty to see in both cities and you'll save crucial time by not travelling around so much.
if you do decide to explore outside the cities, then as kitfisto said, try the area around Leeds, in particular York and the Yorkshire Moors, and maybe up to Durham. Much better than the South-West (and I'm not from the North either!)
js, the theory behind the defended rule is to stop 6'5 players throwing the ball over 5'9 players who are powerless to stop it. In korfball you actually have to try and create some space for yourself first. So, as someone over average stature, I much prefer it to basketball. Anyway, what do you need a backboard for if you can shoot accurately. ;p
posted by Etienne 19 years ago
Damn, I suck at HTML. Those links in full www.cardiffcitykorfball.co.uk www.exeterkorfball.co.uk www.swka.org I warn you, the last site is written by someone whose grasp of HTML is shakier than mine, and it's impressively hideous.
posted by Etienne 19 years ago
Not only do I play korfball, I actually run a (small) league with teams from Cardiff, Bristol and Exeter. The "no physical contact" rule never seems to have been fully applied, and it's now been modified to "controlled contact". To be honest, you can tell that it was invented by a dutch schoolteacher, it's the most politically correct sport imaginable - not just mixed sex, but with an emphasis on teamwork over individual play, and with rules designed to limit the height advantage that is so crucial in Basketball and Netball. It's interesting that it seems to have a very different image in the Netherlands compared to the UK. It's certainly not considered cool in the UK, but there's nothing uncool about it either. Also, I've heard that its considered a bit of a gay sport in the Netherlands, while many players in Britain seem to be motivated by a "Mixed sex? Wahey!" mentality. It's a great sport to play, I think - certainly much better than netball - though I'm not convinced it offers much as a spectator sport.
posted by Etienne 19 years ago
In "Curious George: UK in the blink of an eye"
I was at school in Ludlow from 16-18. Given that it is customary to hate everything at that age, I didn't think much of it. However... It's very small, so you should be able to see all you want to in half a day. It has a castle. By British standards, it's not a particularly good one, so if you've seen a few castles in Europe before, don't bother. If you haven't seen any castles, it's probably the big attraction in town. Walk around. Not that you have any choice, as public transport is non-existent, but its appeal is (supposedly) in its general charm rather than specific places. Lots of nice, unspoilt, old buildings. Eat. Ludlow has a very high reputation for some of its restaurants, much better than its status as a small provincial town might warrant. I can't offer specific recommendations, but this is something well worth checking out.
posted by Etienne 19 years ago
In "Saddam Hussein's"
Giovanni di Stefano is just a publicity hound. I don't think this is either serious or credible (shock!)
posted by Etienne 19 years ago
In "The Man from Plains vs. "Give 'em Hell" Zell"
I think he overplays the loyalty thing a bit too much. I know when I think of ways to describe Lester Maddox, "loyal Democrat" wouldn't be the first one I'd think of ("Well he may be a fool, but he's our fool" perhaps?). I mean disloyalty isn't a good thing, but the main problem with Zell is that he's wrong, not that he's betraying his party.
posted by Etienne 19 years ago
In "Curious George: A JANUARY holiday in England?"
I'd advise them not to go to any of Stonehenge, Stratford or Bath. Stonehenge is impressive, but Avebury is better and less crowded. Bath is pretty, but there are prettier places that won't take so long to get to. Stratford is dull and hackenyed, even for Shakespeare freaks, who'd be better advised to visit the Globe Theatre in London. All of them would be much better seen in the summer, and Stonehenge in particular could be ruined by the January weather. If this is a once in a lifetime trip then maybe, if they envisage going again, leave it for a different trip. If the latter, then I'd suggest staying in Leeds and (particularly) London as much as possible. There is plenty to see in both cities and you'll save crucial time by not travelling around so much. if you do decide to explore outside the cities, then as kitfisto said, try the area around Leeds, in particular York and the Yorkshire Moors, and maybe up to Durham. Much better than the South-West (and I'm not from the North either!)
posted by Etienne 19 years ago
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