Blind soccer, also known as blind football, is an adaptation of soccer for athletes with visual impairments. It's a fast-paced, exciting sport played by teams of five. The rules are designed to ensure fair play while accommodating the players' varying levels of vision.
Rules of Blind Soccer
The game is played on a smaller field, surrounded by boards to keep the ball in play. The ball itself contains noise-making devices, allowing players to locate it by sound. The teams consist of four outfield players who are blind or visually impaired, and one sighted goalkeeper. The outfield players are typically classified as B1 (totally blind or nearly so), and they wear eye masks to ensure a level playing field.
Communication is key in blind soccer. Players use verbal cues like "voy" (meaning "I go" in Spanish) to signal their position and movements to teammates. The goalkeeper, who is allowed to see, plays a crucial role in guiding the defense and helping players orient themselves on the field.
Why Are Some Players Allowed to See?
The sighted goalkeeper is an essential part of the game. Their ability to see allows them to direct the defense and make crucial saves, which balances the game and makes it more competitive. Additionally, each team has a sighted guide positioned behind the opponent's goal, who helps the attacking players by providing verbal directions.
Blind soccer is a unique and inspiring sport, showcasing the skill, teamwork, and determination of athletes with visual impairments. The inclusion of sighted players in specific roles adds an extra layer of strategy and collaboration to the game.