Cove Walking Football Club Rules of Play

Walking football is a slower, low impact version of football where players walk, not run or jog. The focus is on safety, skill, teamwork and social connection rather than speed and physical contact.

Walking is defined as having one foot in contact with the ground at all times.

Cove WFC sessions are mixed age and ability in nature and players should respect the age and ability of their teammates, and consider this at all times. CWFC Code of Conduct applies to all sessions.

The laws of the game, as amended by the FA for Walking Football will apply, as further amended by the ‘local rules’ below.

Games will normally be played over two halves of ten minutes each.

Teams will vary in numbers, determined by the number of players attending the session. Every effort should be made to avoid players spending time on the touchline and not taking part in the session.

A referee should be nominated for each game to be played at a session. Ideally, the referee should not be playing and adjudicate from the side of the pitch. However, where necessary, an individual can be nominated and play in the game.

Referees will apply the laws of the game to the best of their ability and within the spirit of the game. The referee’s decision is final in all matters of fact and MUST be respected by all players and spectators. ‘Banter’ or claiming for a decision and other such communication is allowable, provided it’s conducted in a respectful and non-aggressive manner. Similarly, referees should communicate with players in a respectful and non-aggressive manner.

The referee will determine if a player is behaving or playing in a disrespectful, careless or reckless manner, or is using excessive force. The decision of the referee is final.

Cove WFC sessions will be played using the following amendments to The Laws of the Game, as amended by the FA for Walking Football:

  1. Four running offences by members of a team in a game will result in the awarding of a PENALTY to the opposing team. Blue cards will NOT be awarded to individual players for running offences.
  2. The crossbar is the measure of height.
  3. A player may pass the ball back to the goalkeeper at any point including when he has received the ball from the goalkeeper
  4. Restart of play from the sideline should be taken from within one metre of where ball left the field of play. The ball does not need to overhang the touchline.
  5. A free kick may be passed in any direction including backwards by a back heel.
  6. The “six second rule” will NOT be applied to goalkeepers or players.
  7. A penalty kick taker can be no more than two metres from the ball prior to a kick. The taker may take as many forward steps as they wish, provided they walk to the ball; ie one foot on the ground at all times.
  8. If, in the opinion of the referee, a player has acted in a disrespectful, careless or reckless manner, is using excessive force, or is using foul and/or abusive language to a fellow player, referee or spectator, then a red card may be issued. The decision of the referee is final.
  9. Players shown a red card in a game will leave the field for the remainder of the session and may be subject to further sanction after consideration of incident by the Club Committee.
  10. Players must be three metres from any restart – kick off, free kick or side kick in. Players must not block a goalkeeper attempting to release the ball into play.
  11. Aggressive long-range shooting of a dangerous nature, in the opinion of the referee, will result in the award of an indirect fee kick. Toe punts from close range are discouraged.

January 2026

A brief guide to the FA Rules for Walking Football

Physical Contact – no overzealous / aggressive challenges or slide tackles are permitted. Any infringement of this rule will result in an indirect free kick to the opposing team. All players are encouraged to defend within half a metre of an opponent. Any challenge from behind or through an opponent’s legs are not allowed. All players, except for goalkeepers, are not allowed to go to ground in any circumstances.  An indirect free kick will be awarded to the opposition for any infringement.

No Running – Walking is defined as ‘always having at least one foot in contact with the ground’. The referee will award an indirect free kick against any player who is seen to be not walking and will be taken from where the offence took place. N.B Running is not permitted off the ball either.

Three Touch Rule – in open play all players in possession of the ball will have a maximum of 3 touches of the ball – 4 touches or more of the ball will result in an in-direct free kick to the opposition

All Free Kicks – Awarded will be INDIRECT, with the exception of a penalty kick. All opposing team players must retire 3 metres from the ball. Players taking the free kick cannot kick the ball directly at an opponent, if they do so a free kick is given to the defending team.

Overhead Height – The ball shall not be allowed above head height or the height of the crossbar whichever is higher, if this does happen an indirect free kick will be awarded to the opposition team from where the offence took place. Any shot parried above head height by the goalkeeper shall result in a free kick or throw to the goalkeeper. No player can head the ball at anytime – indirect free kick is awarded to opposing team.

Any ball played against an opponent, except the goalkeepers, that goes above head height will result in an indirect free kick to the opposing team of the player who last touched the ball.

Penalty Area Encroachment – No outfield player will be allowed to enter the penalty areas (D’s) unless carried by momentum. In the event of an attacking team player entering the area, an indirect free kick will be awarded to the goalkeeper and if a defending team player enters the area a penalty kick is awarded. If the goalkeeper leaves the area, an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, moved back to 3 metres from the edge of the ‘D’.

Back Passes – A goalkeeper is permitted to pick the ball up from a back pass but cannot touch the ball with any part of the body from a consecutive back pass from the same player which will result in an indirect free kick. Goalkeepers are permitted to kick the ball from ground or throw the ball under arm only in open play.

Ball out of play/restarts – All balls out of play will be kicked into play. In all instances all opposing players must be 3 metres away when the ball is being passed back into play.

Goal kicks – Must be underarm throw in or a kick in from the floor by the Goalkeeper from anywhere inside the area. In open play Goalkeepers must play the ball within a 6 second period or an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposition.

Player conduct – A blue card replaces the yellow card and is awarded to any player committing 3 of the same offence, especially running, or a single offence that would normally be a yellow card. A player awarded a blue card will be sent to a sin bin for a period of 2 minutes. A player awarded 2 Blue Cards in the same match will be awarded a Red Card and miss the next match. A straight red card will result in the player being banned for the rest of the tournament.