Walking Football
Walking football is a sport that was derived from association football. It was developed with the intent to allow people who are older than 50 years of age to continue to play football and improve their overall fitness. This is part of a recent trend to create a safer walking version of a sport to cater for older and other less able participants to continue to enjoy the game
Walking football can be played both indoors and outdoors. For the indoor version of the game, a Size4 futsal ball is used, while outdoor games are played with regular Size5 balls. The field size varies from 20-40 yards in length and 15-30 yards in width.
Though the rules are based on association football, some of the major differences are:
- As evident from the name, players are allowed only to walk during game play. If a player is spotted running it results in a free kick being awarded to the other team.
- Slide tackles are not allowed to prevent injuries.
- Games are played without goalkeepers, however some variations allows for a goalkeeper to be present.
- The ball should never be kicked above the waist height.
Walking football is played only at club level. It is not a well-known activity.
Similar Sports
- Association Football (Soccer)
- Walking Netball — a version of netball in which players are only allowed to walk during game play, developed for older people to keep active.
- Walking Rugby — a variation of rugby in which players can only walk, developed for older people to keep active.
- Race Walking — competitors attempt to outrace one another without running.
Related Pages
- About football (general)
- Walking Sports — other sports which involve walking, done at a slower and safer pace.
- Football Decoder — what is called football around the world?
- Complete list of sports
- The Encyclopedia of Sports
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