A brief guide to the FA rules for Walking Football
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. NB Running is not permitted off the ball either.
All free kicks – Awarded will be IN-DIRECT with the exception of a penalty kick. All opposing team players must retire two 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 means it is the goalkeepers ball.
Heading – No player can head the ball at any time – indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team.
Deflections – 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 (Ds) 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’.
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.
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 underarm 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 two metres away when the ball is being passed back into play.
Goal kicks – must be underarm throw or a kick in from the goalkeeper from anywhere inside the area.
Cove Playing area
6-a-side = Blue line
7-a-side = White line