Football five-a-side

Events & Disciplines

Every Football match is played between two teams with four blind athletes and one sighted or visually impaired goalkeeper on the field as well as five substitutes. Additionally, each team has a guide behind the opponent’s goal to direct the players when they shoot.

A Football match lasts 50 minutes with two halves of 25 minutes each and a 10-minute half time in between. The winning team is the one that scores the most goals during a match.

A men’s eight team tournament is run at the Paralympic Games.

Classification

Vision Impairment Classification Fact Sheet (PDF)

Rules & Equipment

The Ball
It is made of leather or special synthetic material, has a diameter of 70 cm and weighs 450 grams. It has an internal sound device so the athletes can hear it.

Clothing
The athletes of a team are obliged to wear the same kit (uniform), which is comprised of a shirt, a pair of shorts and socks. The colours of the goalkeeper’s uniform must be different from those of his teammates, as well as from those of the referee and his assistant (linesman).

Shin Pads
Special protective pads made of plastic or another soft material, such as rubber or caoutchouc, which are placed inside the athlete’s socks, mainly to protect his shins.

Shoes
Special shoes with studs on the soles, to help the athlete’s movement in the ground.

Goalkeeper’s gloves
Special gloves which help the goalkeeper in stopping the ball and preventing the scoring of a goal, while protecting his hands.

Blindfolds or mask
The athletes who are inside the field of play, with the exception of the goalkeeper, wear blindfolds or a mask to guarantee equality among the players.

Links

International Blind Sports Association

International Paralympic Committee

Contacts

We encourage those wishing to explore football five-a-side to contact their state federation in the first instance. The national federation link below provides information on the national high performance program leading to competing internationally and at the Paralympic Games.