Depending on age groups and physical ability, groups may adopt slightly different rules however Walking Football is generally regarded as a minimum contact game with similar rules to the normal 5 a side game with the following amendments:
No running or jogging
No shoulder charges/barges
No slide tackling and tackling from behind
No intentional physical contact
Maximum enjoyment!
Edinburgh City Walking Football Rules (Indoor)
1. NO RUNNING or JOGGING
On or off the ball, by any players including goalkeepers .
If the goalkeeper jogs, runs into position in the penalty area and no clear goal scoring opportunity has been denied, a free kick 3 yards outside of the penalty area closest to the point where the infringement occurred is awarded to the opposition.
If the goalkeeper runs across to make a save on a goal-bound effort or denies a clear goal scoring opportunity by their action, a penalty is awarded to the opposition - this will include running across to make a blocking save anywhere in the penalty area.
All other running infringements - indirect free kick.
2. MINIMAL PHYSICAL CONTACT ONLY
No slide tackling, heel/ankle rapping from side or behind or any other excessive physical contact.
Will result in an indirect free kick against offending player.
Any heavy/aggressive, reckless or dangerous tackling may result in a 2-minute "Sin Bin".
3. PLAYERS BOXED IN CORNERS OF HALL MUST BE GIVEN TURNING SPACE & NOT TACKLED IN THE PROCESS
Anyone tackled from behind whilst confined in the corner or not given safe turning space of at least 1 yard, shall be awarded a free kick to be taken where the player should have been allowed to have turned safely.
4. PLAYERS GROUNDED (ON THE FLOOR) MAY NOT PLAY AT THE BALL WHILST NOT ON THEIR FEET
Indirect free kick to the opposition.
5. REBOUNDS OFF ALL WALLS PERMITTED
In the interests of safety - any player unnecessarily 'roughed up' on the wall shall have a free kick awarded to them.
Any player crowded on the wall by two players or more from the opposition shall have a free kick awarded to them for 'Crowding'
6. THE WHOLE OF THE BALL HAS TO BE OVER ANY LINE TO BE CONSIDERED OUT OF PLAY INSIDE/OUTSIDE THE PENALTY AREA (the penalty area rises up from the line.)
7. PENALTIES
One step rule - A player takes one step back from the ball and elects to kick it from there or plants one foot beside the ball and kicks the ball with the other.
If a player has taken two steps or more and scores, the goal is disallowed and the kick retaken.
If the player has taken two steps or more and misses or has the shot saved, the kick is not to be retaken and play resumes.
8. ALL FREE KICKS ARE INDIRECT
A goal can be awarded if the ball deflects off an opposing player or the goalkeeper touches the ball on its way into the goal before a second touch by a player from the same team.
9. OFFENSIVE FREE KICKS NEAR PENALTY AREA LINE
Move ball back 3 yards to allow defence opportunity to position themselves between ball and goal.
Play cannot resume until the defence has positioned themselves.
10. NO ENTRY INTO PENALTY AREA BY ANY OUTFIELD PLAYER
The exception being by momentum & no advantage gained.
Should a defender have inadvertently stepped into the area, but play, or the outcome of play has not been affected, play carries on.
If the defender has stepped into the penalty area in the process of blocking a shot, shielding the ball, shepherding the ball back to the goalkeeper, playing the ball from within the penalty area, a penalty kick shall be awarded against the defender.
If a defender steps into the penalty area to cut across the space, or denies a clear goal scoring opportunity a penalty shall also be awarded against that player.
Should an attacking player step into the penalty area by momentum after a shot from outside the area which results in a goal, the goal shall stand, otherwise for any other occasion where the attacker has stepped into the penalty area, a free kick is awarded to the goalkeeper to be taken where the infringement occurred. The penalty area line also extends in a vertical plane.
Should a ball be in the air and inside the penalty area and an outfield player plays the ball whilst it is in the air, the appropriate sanction shall apply - namely free kick to the goalkeeper if by an attacker, penalty if by a defender.
A player pushed into the penalty area will have a free kick awarded in their favour.
11. NO GOALKEEPER EGRESS FROM PENALTY AREA
except by momentum, or if sliding forward whilst making a save and the ball and goalkeeper’s upper body have not left the penalty area.
The goalkeeper cannot slide forward in making a save and make contact with the ball outside of the penalty area.
If the goalkeeper egresses from the penalty area - a penalty is awarded to the opposition.
If a goalkeeper egresses from the penalty area to intercept a ball, halt a player's progress or deny a clear goal scoring opportunity, a penalty is awarded to the opposition.
12. GOALKEEPERS MAY ONLY THROW THE BALL USING AN UNDER-ARM THROW (Bowling action)
Throwing infringements result in a free kick to the opponents 3 yards outside the area
13. NO RESTRICTION ON PASS BACKS / PASS OUTS BY THE DEFENCE & GOALKEEPER
14. GOALS CAN BE ONLY BE SCORED FROM OPPONENTS HALF OF THE PITCH.
This area can be restricted if less than 5 a side.
15. NO HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS
To reduce the risk of head injuries, broken spectacles etc, heading the ball is not advised.
Definition of Walking
WALK: The gait of a human in which the feet are lifted alternately with one part of a foot always on the ground. To move over a surface by taking steps with the feet at a pace slower than a run. JOG: To run or move slowly or at a jog trot, esp for physical exercise. To run or ride at a steady slow trot. RUN: To move swiftly on foot so that both or all feet are not on the ground during each stride. POWER/SPEEDWALKING: Power walking or speed walking is the act of walking with a speed at the upper end of thenatural range for walking gait, typically 7 to 9 km/h (4.5 to 5.5 mph). To qualify as power walking as opposed to jogging or running, at least one foot must be in contact with the ground at all times. So.. what is considered running? As per the above definitions but with consideration that in a walk the lead leg straightens at the knee when planted forward, allowing the rear leg to bend as it releases from the ground and moves into a forward position in the stride. The rear toe cannot lose contact with the ground until the lead leg heel makes contact with the ground. When two knees are bent in a stride that is at a pace quicker than walking, this has to be considered an unnatural anatomical movement and thus has to be jogging. Furthermore - if it looks like running, it probably is..........