Walking Football Laws of the Game Player s Abridged Version

Walking Football Laws of the Game Player s Abridged Version

Contents Introduction... 3 The Field of Play... 4 The Players... 5 The Player s Equipment... 5 The Referee... 6 Duration of the Match... 6 The Start & Re-start of Play... 6 The Ball In & Out of Play... 7 Fouls & Misconduct... 7 Free Kicks... 9 The Penalty Kick... 10 The Kick-in... 10 The Goal Kick... 10 The Corner Kick... 11 Walking... 11 Contents of this guide were last updated: (February 2018)

Introduction The following Laws of the Game are the recommendations from Walking Football Scotland. Walking Football Scotland fully appreciate that Laws tend to differ throughout sessions across the country depending on group and venue, however the Laws contained within this document are those that will be implemented within competitions and National events. This document is an abridged version that can be used to advise participants of the Laws that will be of greatest interest to them. Walking Football Scotland does recommend that these Laws are used within all Walking Football sessions.

The Field of Play General Principle Where not stated, the normal IFAB Laws of Association Football apply with exceptions notably that there is no offside in Walking Football. The Penalty Area Only the Goalkeeper may be allowed inside this area No outfield player may enter the Penalty Area. If an outfield attacking team player enters this area, a free-kick will be awarded to the opposing team. If an outfield defensive player enters this area, a penalty kick will be awarded to the opposing team. Height of Ball Restrictions A height restriction is set at a designated height of 6ft (1.83metres), above which an indirect free kick shall be awarded to the opposing team. The only exception to this is if the height of the crossbar exceeds 6ft, in which instance the height restriction is played to the height of the crossbar. Walking Football Scotland recommendation is to play at crossbar height at all times. If a deliberate height infringement occurs within the penalty area and committed by the goalkeeper (e.g. high throw or kick), a penalty kick will be awarded. The exception to this rule shall be when the ball rises above the designated height restriction resulting from a save/deflection performed by a goalkeeper or an outfield player. Play should continue in this circumstance. Should another player then play the ball whilst it is at a height above the designated height restriction, this will result in an indirect free kick to the opposing team.

The Players A match is played by two teams, each consisting of not more than the following number of players and substitutes for each format: 5-a-side = 5 players per team and 3 substitutes (total of 8 players) 6-a-side =6 players per team and 3 substitutes (total of 9 players) 7-a-side =7 players per team and 3 substitutes (total of 10 players) Substitution Procedure The number of substitutions made during a match is unlimited. A player who has been replaced may return to the pitch as a substitute for another player. Substitutions should take place when there is a break in play or during play if the second official is involved in refereeing the game. Goalkeepers can be substituted and be replaced with any players as long as the referee is informed of change and goalkeeper can be distinguishes from all other players and the referee with jersey Validity of a Match Playing Numbers A match should not be considered valid if the playing strength of either team is permanently reduced by: more than two players for 5 a-side more than two players for 6-a-side more than three players for 7 a-side However, this should only apply when players are permanently excluded or lost through injury. The Player s Equipment A player must not use equipment or wear anything that is dangerous to themselves or another player. All jewellery must be removed. Shin-guards must be covered entirely by the socks, made of a suitable material (rubber, plastic or similar substances) and provide a reasonable degree of protection. Shin-guards are recommended to be worn for competition. Goalkeepers are permitted to wear long trousers and must wear colours which easily distinguish them from the other players and the referees

The Referee The Authority of the Referee Each match is controlled by a referee who has full authority to enforce the Laws of the Game in connection with the match to which he has been appointed. Decisions of the Referee regarding facts connected with play are final. Duration of the Match The duration of the match shall be divided between two and four equal periods of over 5 and up to 30 minutes each period, subject to the following: Allowance shall be made in either period for time lost through stoppages as decided by the referee. The duration of any period shall be extended to enable a penalty kick to be taken. Between periods, the interval shall not exceed five minutes except by consent of the Referee. Competition rules may allow for a game to be played in its entirety without any interval or requirement to change ends The Start & Re-start of Play Kick-off is a way of starting or restarting play: at the start of the game, after a goal has been scored, at the start of any period of the game, and at the start of each period of extra time, where applicable. A goal may be scored directly from the kick-off. All players must be in their own half of the playing area; the opponents of the team taking the kick-off are at least 3m from the ball until it is in play. Drop Ball is a way of restarting the match after a temporary stoppage. Play restarts when the ball touches the ground. A goal cannot be scored directly from a drop ball situation.

The Ball In & Out of Play Ball Out of Play the ball is out of play when: it has wholly crossed the goal line or touchline, whether on the ground or in the air, when the referee has stopped play, or when playing indoors, the ball hits the ceiling. Ball In Play the ball is in play at all other times including when: it rebounds from a goal post, the crossbar, or the barricades onto the pitch, or if it rebounds from the referee when on the playing area. If playing within a caged area, players should automatically back off players if ball moves into corner of caged area. Fouls & Misconduct For player safety, there are NO Direct Free Kicks in Walking Football. An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following seven offences in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force: kicks or attempts to kick an opponent trips or attempts to trip an opponent jumps at an opponent charges an opponent strikes or attempts to strike an opponent pushes an opponent tackles an opponent from behind or slide tackles An indirect free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following offences: running with or without the ball holds an opponent spits at an opponent handles the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeeper within his own penalty area) slides in an attempt to play the ball when it is being played or attempted to be played by an opponent (sliding tackle). Additionally no playing from the floor is permitted where barriers are in place, players are not permitted to hold onto barriers to shield the ball and should be penalised by the referee for holding

An indirect free kick is taken from the place where the offence occurred (see Law 12 - Position of free kick). Indirect Free Kick involving Goalkeepers An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a goalkeeper, inside their own penalty area, commits the following offence: touches the ball with any part of their body outside of penalty area (If a save has been made inside the area and momentum then carries the goalkeeper outside of their area, this will not be penalised) An indirect free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if, in the opinion of the referee, a player: touches the ball within opposition s penalty area takes more than 3 consecutive touches of the ball. This player cannot impede an opposing player from trying to touch the ball impedes the progress of an opponent prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from their hands if a height infringement occurs and is committed by an outfield player, an indirect free kick should be awarded nearest to where the offence took place uses their head to touch the ball. Walking Football Scotland follows a strict policy of no heading the ball unless Goalkeeper saves ball with their head. commits any other offence, not previously mentioned in Law 11, for which play is stopped to caution or send off a player The indirect free kick is taken from the place where the offence occurred (see Law 12 - Position of free kick). Penalty Kick A penalty kick is awarded if the opposing team commit 3 consecutive running offences. Once the penalty is taken, the team s tally penalised running offences goes back to zero. Disciplinary Sanctions The use of the standard yellow card and the exclusion of a player arising from the issuing of a red card are the recommended disciplinary sanctions for use in Walking Football.

Cautionable Offences A player is cautioned and shown the yellow card if they commit any of the following seven offences: unsporting behaviour dissent by word or action persistent infringement of the Laws of the Game delaying the restart of play failure to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a corner kick, free kick or kick-in entering or re-entering the field of play without the referee's permission deliberately leaving the field of play without the referee's permission A substitute or substituted player is cautioned if he commits any of the following three offences: unsporting behaviour dissent by word or action delaying the restart of play Sending-Off Offences A player, substitute or substituted player is sent off if they commit any of the following seven offences: serious foul play including slide tackling violent conduct spitting at an opponent or any other person denying the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball (this does not apply to a goalkeeper within his own penalty area) denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player's goal by an offence punishable by a free kick or a penalty kick using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures receiving a second caution in the same match A player, substitute or substituted player who has been sent off must leave the vicinity of the field of play and the technical area. Free Kicks For player safety, there are NO Direct Free Kicks in Walking Football. All Free kicks are indirect. For indirect free kicks, the ball must be stationary when the kick is taken and the kicker may not touch the ball a second time until it has touched another player.

The Indirect Free Kick a goal can be scored only if the ball subsequently touches another player before it enters the goal Position of Free Kick all opponents must be at least 2m from the ball until it is in play the ball is in play after it has been touched or played The Penalty Kick A penalty kick is awarded against a team which commits any of the following offences: a defending player enters their own penalty area a goalkeeper commits any of the seven sending off offences within their penalty area The goalkeeper holds onto the ball for over 6 seconds without releasing it a team commits 3 running offences Penalty kicks must be taken with the kicker only taking a maximum of two steps The Kick-in A goal cannot be scored directly from a kick-in. A kick-in is awarded: to the opponents of the player who last touched the ball when the whole of the ball crosses the touch line, either on the ground or in the air. The Goal Kick A goal kick is awarded when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, either on the ground or in the air, having last touched a player of the attacking team, and a goal is not scored in accordance with Law 10. A goal may not be scored directly from a goal kick

The Corner Kick A corner kick is awarded when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, either on the ground or in the air, having last touched a player of the defending team, and a goal is not scored in accordance with Law 10. A goal may be scored directly from a corner kick, but only against the opposing team On some occasions with specific alterations, corner kicks may be omitted from the game, for example if the game is played within a caged area or sports hall. Walking Walking is defined as always having at least one foot in contact with the ground. Infringements/Sanctions The referee will award a direct free kick against any player who is seen to be not walking. If a team is penalised on three occasions for infringing the walking rule, they concede a penalty to the opposition. Once the penalty has been taken, the team s penalised running offences tally goes back to zero. www.walkingfootballscotland.org @WalkingFootScot WalkingFootballScotland