WALKING SOCCER
THE SAME BEAUTIFUL GAME AT
A NEW BEAUTIFUL PACE
RULES OF COMPETITION
1.Walkiing Soccer in Georgia will feature 7v7 play, with each team having up to five (5) substitutes for a total roster of 12 players. Local association may adjust the number of players and substitutes to meet local needs.
2. The Players’ Equipment A player must not use equipment or wear anything that is dangerous to themselves or another player. All jewelry 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.
Goalkeepers are permitted to wear long trousers and must wear colors which easily distinguish them from the other players and the referees
3. 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 they have been appointed, from the moment they enter the locality where the playing area is situated until they leave.
4. The Duration of the Match The duration of the match shall be divided between two 30-minute periods or four equal 15-minute periods. There shall be a two-minute break between quarters or a five-minute break between halves.
5. 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 3 yards from the ball until it is in play.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Goalkeepers- Can return the ball into play by either kicking the ball and by using an underhand throw.
9. A goal clearance is a method of restarting play.
A goal may not be scored directly from a goal clearance.
The goal clearance is awarded when:
• the whole of the ball, having last touched a player of the attacking team, passes over the goal line, either on the ground or in the air, and a goal is not scored in accordance with Law 10 Procedure
• opponents remain outside the penalty area
• the goalkeeper does not play the ball a second time until it has touched another player
• the ball is in play when the ball is thrown underarm or kicked from any stationary point within the penalty area by the goalkeeper of the defending team
10. 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. If a height infringement occurs within the penalty area and is committed by the defending team an indirect free kick should be awarded 3 yards from the penalty area line nearest to where the offence took place. The exception to this rule shall be when the ball rises above the designated height restriction resulting from a save or block performed by a goalkeeper. 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.
11. Offside – there is no offside.
12. Areas of Play – access to the penalty area is restricted except for the goalkeeper. Goalkeepers are not permitted to exit their penalty area.
13. Substitute Procedures the maximum number of substitutes permitted is five (for 7 V 7 matches). However local associations may choose to use unlimited substitutions. 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.
14. 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 committing any of the seven sending off offences within their penalty area
Additional time is allowed for a penalty kick to be taken at the end of each half or at the end of each period of extra time. Position of the Ball and the Players for a Penalty kick – the ball is placed on the penalty mark; the player taking the penalty kick is properly identified. The defending goalkeeper must remain on their goal line, facing the kicker, between the goalposts, until the ball has been kicked. The players other than the kicker are located: inside the pitch, outside the penalty area, behind or to the side of the penalty mark, at least 3m from the ball. The player taking the penalty must kick the ball forward; they may not play the ball a second time until it has touched another player. The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves forward. The player must take a maximum of one step when taking their run up.
15. The Kick-In/Roll-In – is a method of restarting play. A goal cannot be scored directly from a kick-in/ roll-in. A kick-in/roll-in is awarded if; the whole of the ball passes over a touch line, either on the ground or in the air, or hits the ceiling. A kick-in/roll-in is taken from the place where it crossed the touchline or 2m into the playing area adjacent to where the ball left the playing area when barricades are in use. The kick/ roll is awarded to the opponents of the player who last touched the ball.
The player taking the kick-in/roll-in may not play the ball a second time until it has touched another player. The ball is in play immediately after it is kicked or touched. The players of the defending team must be at least 3 yards from the place where the kick-in/roll-in is taken. The feet of the player taking the kick-in/ roll-in must not cross the line and they must use an underarm action when rolling the ball in.
16. The Corner Kick – a goal may be scored directly from a corner kick.
17. Walking Rule - Walking is defined as ‘always having at least one foot in contact with the ground’. The referee will award a direct free kick against any player who is seen to be not walking. If a player is penalized on three occasions for infringing the walking rule, they receive a blue card and are sin binned for duration of two minutes. (THE SIN BIN IS A LOCAL ASSOCIATION OPTION)
Law 1 The Field of Play
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 Pitch Walking Football may be played with or without barriers. Dimensions: The playing area must be rectangular. The length of the touchline must be greater than the length of the goal line.
For 5 and 6-a-side football the following dimensions are recommended
Length: minimum 28 yards maximum 55 yards
Width: minimum 20 yards maximum 40 yards
For 7-a-side football the following dimensions are recommended
Length: minimum 55 yards maximum 65 yards
Width: minimum 33 yards maximum 45 yards
Area Markings The playing area is marked with lines. The two longer boundary lines are called touchlines. The two shorter lines are called goal lines. All lines are 5 inches wide.
The playing area is divided into two halves by the halfway line. The center mark is indicated at the midpoint of the halfway line. A circle with a radius of 3 yards is marked around it.
A penalty area is defined at each end of the pitch as follows: A semi-circle of 7 yards radius shall be drawn from the center of each goal line. The extremities of these semi-circles should reach the goal line, barrier or wall regardless of whether the goal posts encroach onto the playing area.
Penalty Mark: A penalty mark is drawn 7 yards from the midpoint between the goal posts and equidistant from them.
The Corner Arc: Where barriers do not surround the playing area, a quarter circle with a radius of 25cm from each corner is drawn inside the playing area.
Penalty Area: 12 yards wide 7 yards long
Futsal Goals: 6’6’’ x 9’9’’ – recommended and Size 4 Futsal ball