People are often surprised by how quick, physical and technical blind football is. This is what makes it such a hugely popular sport.
The game is played on a solid, smooth, flat and non-abrasive surface on a pitch that is 40m x 20m wide. Pitches must ideally be outside to ensure that the acoustics are correct for players. Each pitch is surrounded by ‘kick-boards’ – a physical barrier that indicates the boundaries of the playing area.
-The goals are 3.66m wide and 2.14m high.
-Each team has five players, including a goalkeeper. Outfield playersmust wear eye patches and eyeshades, more commonly referred to as blindfolds. The goalkeeper can be sighted or partially sighted, classified as B2 and B3, and cannot leave the area.
The football must contain bells or another system that ensures the ball makes a noise when it is moving on the pitch or through the air.
-Four players are allowed as substitutes and one goalkeeper.
Substitutes can be made up to six times per half. There are no offside rules or throw-ins in blind football but there are corner kicks.
-Each half lasts 20 minutes and teams can request a one minute time-out per half.
-There are 3 guides in total, the goalkeeper (inside the field) who provides instructions to the defense, the coach (in the middle, outside the field) who provides instructions to the midfield players and the guide, behind the rival’s goal, who provides instructions to the attackers. It is a game of pure communication and sound.
