RULES - Football - 5 A Side
Played by blind and partially sighted athletes. 2 teams of 5 including a goalkeeper (who can be sighted), play 2 halves of 25 minutes each way on a fenced off 5-a-side pitch (38m to 42m long by 18m to 22m wide), the goal is 3m wide x 2m high. The outfield players, but not the goalkeeper, are blindfolded to ensure equality of vision.
The ball contains a bell and there is no off-side rule. More details about allowed subs and fouls see rules and classification system. A knockout format is played, so in the semi-finals / final in the event of a draw there will be extra time of 10mins each way; followed, if still a draw, by a penalty shoot-out.
===============================================================
Rules
Field of Play
The Football 5-a-side field of play is a rectangular pitch covered with natural or synthetic grass. The pitch is between 38 and 42 metres long and between 18 and 22 metres wide.
The boundaries of the field are set by the touch lines along the side and the goal lines at the two ends. Along the sidelines a 2 metre tall protective fence is placed in order to define the field of play boundries to the visually impaired players. In the middle of the competition area is a 6 metre diametre central circle. The central circle halfway line divides the ground into two equal parts.
The goal is 3 metres wide and 2 metres high while the goalkeeper's area, around the goal, is 5x2 metres. There is a white circular dot at a distance of 6 metres from the centre of the goal, from which the penalty shots are taken. The double penalty spot is at a distance of 9 metres.
Classes
Athletes participate in 5-a-side Football from the following classes:
B1: Athletes with total vision loss.
B2, B3: Athletes with partial vision impairment.
In Football 5-a-side athletes who have full vision can compete as goalkeepers. In the event that the goalkeeper is sighted, he may not have been registered with any Football five-a-side or Football Federation (FIFA) in the last five years
The Game
Every team consists of eight football players and two goalkeepers. During the course of a Football 5-a-side match five athletes play for each team: four are athletes of the B1 category with total vision impairment and the fifth athlete is the goalkeeper, who may either be classified as B2 or B3 athlete. Each team is allowed to substitute up to five players from a total of five substitutes.
During a game the football players, with the exception of the goalkeeper, wear blindfolds or a mask to cover their eyes so that the element of Fair Play is maintained between players of different degrees of visual impairment. In the case that an athlete touches the blindfolds or mask, he is penalised with a violation (foul). If a player has five personal fouls he is excluded from the game and is substituted by another player. In the case that the goalkeeper goes outside the boundaries of his area, then a foul is awarded to the opposing team.
Finally, in the case that one player kicks or attempts to kick a player of the opposing team, or pushes a player of the opposing team by using his hands or legs, then he is penalised with a foul and the opposing team earns the right to take a penalty kick from the 6 metre spot.
Upon the taking of a penalty kick, the defending team has the right to form a defensive wall on condition that it has been penalised with up to three fouls in each half. If not, then the penalty kick is taken from the 9 metre spot without the formation of a defensive wall.
A Football match lasts 50 minutes and is played over two halves lasting 25 minute each, with a 10 minutes half time in between. The objective of the two teams is to score goals in the opposing goal, without violating the rules of the game.
In the semi-final or final, if the game ends in a tie after the completion of the two 25 minute halves, two 10 minute extension of extra time follow. If there is no winner after the extra time, the teams follow a penalty kick procedure.
A referee, who is responsible for applying the rules of the game, monitors the match. He is facilitated in his work by an assistant referee (linesman) who moves along the sidelines flanking the game area.
Cards
Yellow card: The referee shows the yellow card to a player who demonstrates unsportsmanlike behaviour, reacts in a bad way with words or gestures, violates the rule of the game, delays the recommencement of the game or abandons or enters the ground without the referee's permission.
Red card: The referee shows a red card and subsequently expels an athlete from the competition ground if he is playing in an unsportsmanlike manner, is demonstrating unbefitting behaviour, hits an opponent outside the scope of play, stops the ball with his hands and obstructs the opposing team or gets a second yellow card in the same game.
================================================================
Equipment
The Ball
It is made of leather or special synthetic material, has a circumference of 62 cm and weighs 490-520 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 facilitate the athlete's movement in the ground.
Goalkeeper's gloves
Special gloves which facilitate the goalkeeper in stopping the ball and preventing the scoring of a goal. At the same time, they protect 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.
News 
Market Data 
Discover 
