Blind Football (Soccer)

Blind Football (Soccer) is played by athletes who are blind or vision impaired. There are two formats of the game:

blind soccer (B1)
vision impaired/partially sighted football (B2/B3)

Blind soccer (B1) is an internationally recognised sport at the Paralympics, played outdoors by athletes who are blind or partially vision impaired on a 40m x 20m pitch, with side kickboards and an audible ball. There are two teams of five; four outfield players and a goalkeeper. The outfield players wear eye-shades to equal their sight and the goalkeeper can be fully or partially sighted.

Vision impaired/partially sighted soccer (B2/B3) is played by athletes who are vision impaired to Futsal rules with minor modifications. An audible ball which makes a rattling noise is used, allowing players to locate it by sound.

Blind Sports & Recreation Victoria works with Football Victoria, City in the Community and the Melbourne Blind Football Club to provide opportunities for people with a vision impairment of all ages to play football.

A Football match lasts 50 minutes with two halves of 25 minutes each and a 10-minute half time in between. The winning team is the one that scores the most goals during a match.

Rules & Equipment

Field

The field is 40m X 20m, with side kickboard to keep the ball and players on the pitch, as well as a ball with bells inside of it to make it audible and easier to locate for the players.

Teams

There are two teams of five; four outfield players and a goalkeeper. The outfield players wear eye-shades to equal their sight and the goalkeeper can be fully or partially sighted.

Blindfolds/Masks

The athletes who are inside the field of play, with the exception of the goalkeeper, wear blindfolds or a mask to guarantee equality among the players.

Classifications

Blind soccer is played by athletes who are blind or vision impaired. There are two formats of the game:

blind soccer (B1)
vision impaired/partially sighted football (B2/B3).

Blind soccer (B1) is an internationally recognised sport at the Paralympics. Vision impaired/partially sighted soccer (B2/B3) is played by athletes who are vision impaired to Futsal rules with minor modifications. An audible ball which makes a rattling noise is used, allowing players to locate it by sound.

Pathways

The Melbourne Blind Football Club provides an opportunity for people of all ages who are blind or vision impaired to learn and develop their football skills. The regular club training sessions also provide a pathway into other participation opportunities that are available in Melbourne, including:

Melbourne Blind Football (B1) team training
Clubs participating in Football Victoria’s All Abilities League, which have coaches who have received vision impaired football specific coach education
And, National Training Centre days.

International Events

If you want more information on what International Blind Football and Partially Sighted Futsal Events are coming up, visit the IBSA Football Events page at https://blindfootball.sport/competitions/upcoming/