Stay active and love the game for even longer !
Walking football is the perfect activity to play a sport you love in a fun and social environment.
Who plays Walking Football?
Traditionally Walking football has been seen as a game for over 50s men who are looking to increase their exercise and activity levels. However, Walking football has never been so inclusive looking at the game from both an age and gender perspective, with players now participating in their late 40s with health issues, youngers players returning from injury or referrals from Health Care providers.
Many women also play Walking football too with many clubs now running women’s teams as well as clubs now exclusively for women. There is also now a women’s England Team and recently the first mixed-gender international game took place.
In fact, many different age groups are playing walking football now due to the non-contact nature of the game and because no running is allowed so it really has never been so inclusive!
Physical and mental health benefits of playing Walking Football
Walking football is an excellent way of staying fit and healthy and reduces the chance of injury allowing people who have loved the sport all their lives to once again safely get back to playing. It also introduces the sport to people who perhaps have never considered playing before, with the appeal that the threat of pain, discomfort and injury is also reduced due to the combination of a slower pace and reduced contact.
Key health benefits include:
- Keeps you fit & healthy
- Reduces stress
- Reduces risk of cardiovascular & blood sugar levels
- Improves balance & strength
- Improves reaction times
- Boosts self-esteem & confidence
There are also many psychological and mental health advantages to playing walking football – namely high levels of personal reward and satisfaction with reduced levels of stress and exertion while playing, despite working physically hard.
Walking football also gives what can be an isolated area of the community the chance to become involved in something they really enjoy, make new friends, form lasting relationships with like-minded people and generally improve their social circle and overall quality of life, often making then feel less isolated and more a part of the wider community.
Walking football – The basic rules
The rules are adapted so there is no running, very little contact and kick ins instead of throw ins. With less stress on the body and no real sudden change of direction or cutting movements, the game allows participants to play without apprehension and at their own pace.
The WFA have developed the Laws of the Game after regular consultation with clubs, players and referees. These guidelines set out the basic rules of play.
• Non-Contact
• Above head height restriction on ball
• Deflection above head height by goalkeeper – ball retained by keeper
• No heading the ball
• All free kicks indirect
• Whistle stops and resumes play – no quick free kicks
• No direct goal from a kick-off or any dead ball situation
• All free kicks have defenders 3-metres distant
• Players may not play the ball whilst grounded – to include slide tackling, slide blocks
• Cornering a player is not permitted – allow the opponent to turn
• No 2 vs 1 tackling at barriers/wall
• No tackling across an opponent at a wall/barrier
• Playing with reckless or dangerous intent is an infringement
• One-step penalty kicks
• No restriction on passing back or out from the goalkeeper
• Sin Bin time out for any three same or variety of infringement
• Zero tolerance on disrespectful conduct towards the referee
How do I get involved?
Anyone is welcome to attend, with weekly sessions here at the Active Sport Centre in Maghull why not pop down and check out what it’s all about it.
Walking football sessions:
Mondays 6.30pm - 8.00pm
Wednesdays 7.00pm - 8.30pm
For any enquiries please contact:
info@activesportcentre.co.uk
0151 538 7684
