About
About
Aim of the game
A five-a-side version of the world’s most popular sport adapted for the visually impaired, in which outfield players must wear eye shades and the ball makes a sound that players can follow. Two teams try to outscore each other and are directed by their coach, guide and goalkeeper (who are not visually impaired)
Why should you watch this?
The incredible balance and dribbling ability of the players, using every sense except sight to try to win, will amaze you
Venues
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Double penalty
Throughout a match, fouls are cumulative, so after a team registers three fouls in any half, every subsequent foul is punished with a ‘double penalty’ and a direct shot from eight metres out
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Go!
The word a player must say clearly and audibly when seeking to take possession of the ball or tackle an opponent
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Guides
The goalkeeper, coach and guide (all of whom are non-visually impaired) can only provide orientation to the players when the ball enters their respective third of the pitch (defensive, midfield, attacking)
Impress your friends
Duration
Matches last 50 minutes, divided into two halves of 25 minutes. In the knockout stage of the competition, if the scores are tied at the end of 50 minutes, a penalty shootout decides the winners.
Teams
Each team has four visually impaired outfield players who must wear eye shades for visual fairness. The goalkeeper cannot throw the ball beyond the halfway line, nor touch a teammate’s back-pass with his hands. Once the goalie has released the ball, his team has 15 seconds to cross the halfway line with it, otherwise they forfeit possession.
Guides
A device inside the ball helps orientate the players, and a player is not allowed to keep it still at his feet for more than four seconds. Each team also has three sighted ‘guides’ – including the goalkeeper – to shout instructions at the players.
Pitch
The pitch measures 40m x 20m and features two penalty spots, one for regular penalties and one for cumulative fouls as of a team's fourth (see ‘30-second expert’).
The side walls are 1.2m high, meaning the ball cannot go out of play, ensuring a more continuous flow of the game.
Stats
Top Medalists
| Men | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
BRA
BRA
|
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | |
|
ARG
ARG
|
0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
|
ESP
ESP
|
0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | |
