Blind football, also known as football 5-a-side, is a modified version of the sport designed for athletes with visual impairments. The rules of blind football are unique and cater to the specific needs of the players. Here is a detailed overview of the rules of blind football:
Field and Equipment
The field used in blind football is smaller than a standard football field. It measures 40 meters in length and 20 meters in width. The field is surrounded by boards to keep the ball in play and to help players orient themselves.
Players wear eye shades to ensure fairness, as some players may have different levels of vision. The ball used in blind football contains noise-making devices to help players locate it during the game.
Teams and Players
A blind football team consists of four outfield players and one goalkeeper. Outfield players must wear eyeshades to ensure fairness and to level the playing field for those with varying degrees of visual impairment.
Goalkeepers are sighted and give verbal directions to their teammates during the game. They are restricted to their penalty area and cannot leave it during play.
Gameplay
- Blind football is played with a smaller, heavier ball that makes noise to help players locate it.
- Players navigate the field using sound and spatial awareness to track the ball and their opponents.
- The matches consist of two halves of 20 minutes each, with a 10-minute break in between.
- Players are not allowed to run with the ball; instead, they must dribble it using their feet and listen for auditory cues.
- When a player is in possession of the ball, they must call “voy” to indicate to other players that they are on the same team.
Scoring
To score a goal in blind football, the ball must completely cross the goal line between the goalposts and under the crossbar. The goalkeeper must not touch the ball until it has crossed the line for a goal to be counted.
Fouls and Penalties
- Players are not allowed to make physical contact with their opponents. Tackling, pushing, or blocking players is considered a foul.
- If a player commits a foul, the opposing team is awarded a direct free-kick from the point of the infraction.
- If a goalkeeper violates the rules, such as leaving their penalty area or making contact with the ball outside the area, the opposing team is awarded a penalty kick from the penalty spot.
Offsides
Offside rules in blind football are slightly different from traditional football. An outfield player is considered offside if they are closer to the opponent’s goal line than the ball, the second-to-last defender, and the halfway line at the moment the ball is played to them.
Substitutions
Teams are allowed to make substitutions during the game. Substitutions can only occur when the ball is out of play and with the permission of the referees. Players must enter and exit the field at the halfway line.
Referees
Blind football matches are officiated by three referees. One referee is positioned on each touchline, while the third referee is positioned behind the goal. The referees use verbal signals to communicate with the players during the game.