Are Paralympic footballers blind?

Football 5-a-side players are assigned to one of three sport classes based on their level of visual impairment: B1 – Totally or almost totally blind; from no light perception up to light perception but inability to recognise the shape of a hand.

Is blind football a thing?

Blind football is five-a-side football – and, more specifically, it is an adapted version of futsal. Blind football is also sometimes known as B1 football or football five-a-side. Outfield players must be registered as B1 (completely blind) although the goalkeepers can be either sighted or partially sighted.

How do Paralympics play Football?

Every Football match is played between two teams with four blind athletes and one sighted or visually impaired goalkeeper on the field as well as five substitutes. Additionally, each team has a guide behind the opponent’s goal to direct the players when they shoot.

Do they play soccer in the Paralympics?

Paralympic Soccer, like able-bodied soccer, is a fast, highly-skilled game. Called “Football 7-a-side” in international play, the sport made its Paralympic debut in 1984 and has become a worldwide phenomenon. Soccer 7-a-side is for male athletes with cerebral palsy, although men with brain injury or stroke also play.

How do blind footballers play?

All players, except for the goalkeeper, are blindfolded. The ball has been modified to make a jingling or rattling sound. Players are required to say “voy”, “go”, or something similar when going for the ball; this alerts the other players about their position.

How long is a blind football match?

Matches consist of two halves of 20 or 25 minutes, with a 10 minute break for half-time. Time-outs can be called by either team in each half, and these last for one minute. Each team has five players on the pitch at any time, four outfield players who are visually impaired, and a goalkeeper.

Who invented blind football?

Spain
Spain’s Football 5-a-Side team in action against Brazil. Spain are considered the pioneer of blind football, having played the sport since the 1920s. Brazil, on the other hand, started developing football 5-a-side in the 1960s and held the first national tournament in 1974.

What is the ball called in blind football?

futsal ball
A guide to Blind Football. Blind or partially-sighted football is an adaptation of football for athletes with visual impairments. It is a 5-a-side game usually played on a hard court, with a modified futsal ball.

What are the rules of blind football?

PROCEDURE

  • All players are in their own half of the field.
  • The opponents of the team taking the kick-off are at least five metres from the ball until it is in play.*
  • The ball is stationary on the centre mark.
  • The referee gives a signal.
  • The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves.*

Is there offside in blind football?

Visually impaired and blind football For blind players, there are five players on each team and the match is played on a solid surface. Unlike the non-disabled football, there is no offside rule in blind football, and outfield players have to wear blindfolds and eye patches.

How do blind players play soccer?

Each team has five players on the pitch at any time, four outfield players who are visually impaired, and a goalkeeper. Each team also has five substitutes. Substitutions are unlimited, but restricted to a maximum during each half, and can be made when the ball is out of play or of course at half time.

What is blind soccer called?

Football 5-a-side
Football 5-a-side, also known as blind football, is an adaptation of football for athletes with a visual impairment. The sport has been governed by the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) since 1996 and it is played with modified FIFA rules.