Recreational Walking Football Rules

This article is based on the official rules document for the recreational variant of Walking Football, provided by the Associação de Futebol da Madeira (Madeira Football Association) as part of their support materials for the 2025/2026 season. The document aims to promote health, well-being, and enjoyment through adapted football rules.

Brief Presentation of the Sport

Walking Football is designed for individuals who enjoy football but whose physical capabilities limit their participation in the standard game. It serves two main purposes: providing a pleasurable recreational activity and enhancing physical and mental health for participants.

In this version, running is prohibited. Matches are played on a 40m x 20m pitch (similar to futsal), between two teams of five players each, with no goalkeeper. Goals measure 3m wide by 1m high. The ball is size 4 with reduced bounce (futsal ball). Players may not make more than three consecutive touches, and the ball must not rise above waist height (about 1m). Goals are valid only if scored inside the penalty area.

Law 1: The Pitch

Walking Football can be played on various surfaces such as synthetic, wood, artificial turf, or natural grass, provided they are smooth, flat, and non-abrasive.

Dimensions

The pitch must be rectangular with the following dimensions:

• Length (touchline): minimum 38m, maximum 42m
• Width (goal line): minimum 18m, maximum 25m

Penalty Area

A penalty area is marked 6m from each goal line.

Penalty Mark

The penalty mark is at the central point of the halfway line.

Corner Area

A quarter-circle with a 25cm radius is drawn in each corner.

Substitution Zones

These are located on the touchline in front of each team’s benches.

Safety

Goals may be portable but must meet safety standards and be securely fixed. If no barriers exist, provide at least 3m of space around the pitch.

Goals

Goals are placed centrally on each goal line, 3m wide by 1m high. Futsal or handball goals may be used with a tape or elastic at 1m height.

Law 2: The Ball

Qualities and Measurements

The ball must be:

• Spherical
• Made of suitable material
• Circumference: 62cm to 64cm (size 4)
• Weight: 400g to 440g
• Pressure: 0.6 to 0.9 atmospheres (futsal ball)

Law 3: The Players

Number of Players

Matches involve two teams of five players each, with no goalkeeper.

Number of Substitutions and Substitutes

Unlimited substitutions are allowed. Each team may have five substitutes, or more if agreed.

Substitution Procedure

Substitutions can occur at any time:

• The player leaving exits via their team’s substitution zone.
• No referee permission is needed to leave or enter.
• The substitute enters only after the player has left.
• Substituted players may return.

Infringements result in an indirect free kick to the opponents at the infringement point.

Law 4: The Players’ Equipment

Safety

No dangerous equipment or items are permitted.

Compulsory Equipment

Players must wear:

• Jersey with sleeves
• Shorts or tracksuit bottoms
• Socks
• Shin pads (mandatory in tournaments or matches)

Colours

Teams must wear distinguishable colours from each other and the referee.

Law 5: The Referee

Authority

The referee enforces the Laws with full authority.

Decisions

Referee decisions on play facts are final and must be respected, applied with sensitivity to the recreational spirit.

Powers and Duties

• Enforce Laws
• Control match time and occurrences
• Ensure equipment compliance
• Record incidents
• Stop play for infringements or relevant situations (e.g., injuries)

Law 6: Other Members of the Officiating Team

No additional officials are required. If present, they assist with duties like substitutions.

Law 7: The Duration of the Match

Matches last 40 minutes, divided into two 20-minute halves, with a maximum 10-minute interval.

Due to varying physical capabilities, halves may be subdivided into four 10-minute periods with up to 2-minute rests. All teams must be informed in advance.

Added time compensates for stoppages. Penalty kicks extend the period if needed.

Duration and halves may be adjusted by team agreement.

Law 8: The Start and Restart of Play

Play starts or restarts via kick-off, free kick, penalty kick, throw-in, goal kick, corner kick, or dropped ball.

Kick-Off

• Coin toss decides goal or kick-off choice.
• Teams switch ends and benches at half-time.
• After a goal, the conceding team restarts.
• Opponents stay in their half, at least 3m from the ball.
• Ball is stationary at centre and in play when kicked and moved.

Infringements: Indirect free kick or retake.

Dropped Ball

Awarded when play stops without infringement or if the ball hits the referee in specific cases.

• Given to the last-touching team.
• Others stay 3m away.
• In play on ground contact.

Law 9: The Ball In and Out of Play

Out of Play

• Wholly crosses goal or touchline.
• Play stopped by referee.
• Touches official and affects play (e.g., promising attack, direct goal, possession change)—restart with dropped ball.

In Play

At all other times, including rebounds off posts/crossbar or officials without affecting play.

Height Restrictions

Ball must not exceed waist height (1m). Infringement: Indirect free kick to opponents.

• If inside defending penalty area: On 6m line nearest point.
• If inside attacking penalty area: At infringement point.
  Opponents 3m away; no direct goal.

Law 10: Scoring a Goal

A goal is scored when the ball wholly crosses the goal line between posts and under crossbar/tape, without prior infringement, and scorer is inside the 6m area.

Own goals: Valid if player inside 6m area; otherwise, corner to opponents.

Winning Team

Team with most goals wins; equal goals result in draw.

If needed, extra time (two 5-minute periods) or penalty kicks determine winner.

Kicks from the Penalty Mark

• Coin toss for goal and first kick.
• All eligible players (except injured/sent-off) participate.
• Teams select order; alternates taken.
• Different players per kick initially.
• Continues until one team leads after equal kicks.

Law 11: Offside

No offside rule.

Law 12: Fouls and Misconduct

Key characteristics: No physical contact; no running (one foot always on ground); max three consecutive touches; ball below waist; goals only from inside 6m area.

Infringements award indirect free kicks (no direct goals).

Fouls

Awarded for:

• Careless/reckless/excessive force: Charging, jumping at, kicking/attempt, pushing, striking/attempt, tackling, tripping/attempt.
• Running, >3 touches, lifting ball above waist, spitting, sliding tackle, playing on ground, hand/arm touch.
• Dangerous play, impeding without contact, dissent.

Disciplinary Actions

Use temporary suspensions (blue card) or permanent exclusions (red card). Teams may substitute sanctioned players to avoid numerical inferiority.

Temporary Suspension (Blue Card)

For: Unsporting behaviour, aggressive/dangerous play, dissent, persistent infringements, delaying restart, distance violations, denying goal opportunity outside area, substitution errors, unauthorised entry/exit.

Duration: Remainder of half/period. Two blue cards: No further participation.

Permanent Suspension (Red Card)

For: Serious foul play, offensive language, biting/spitting. No further participation.

Law 13: Free Kicks

Taken at infringement point (indirect only).

• If in opponents’ penalty area: On boundary nearest point.

Ball stationary; kicker no second touch until another plays it. Opponents 3m away.

Infringements: Retake or free kick against offender.

No direct goals; direct own goal awards corner; direct opponent goal awards goal kick.

Law 14: Penalty Kick

Awarded for specified fouls inside own penalty area (e.g., contact fouls, hand/arm below waist, running to deny goal).

Procedure

• Ball on halfway line centre.
• No defenders between ball and goal.
• Others behind halfway, 3m from ball/kicker.
• Kicked forward; no second touch.

Infringements: Retake if goal not scored (defending foul) or if scored (attacking foul); free kick if post-play infringement.

Law 15: Throw-In

Awarded when ball crosses touchline.

Procedure

• Stationary on touchline at exit point.
• Opponents 3m away.
• In play when kicked and moved.

Infringements: Free kick or throw-in to opponents.

Law 16: Goal Kick

Awarded when attacking team last touches ball crossing goal line without goal.

Procedure

• Kicked by defender.
• In play when kicked and moved.
• Opponents outside penalty area.

Infringements: Indirect free kick.

Law 17: Corner Kick

Awarded when defending team last touches ball crossing goal line without goal.

Procedure

• Placed in nearest corner arc.
• Stationary; in play when kicked and moved.
• Opponents 3m away.

Direct goal allowed if penalty area is a box.

Infringements: Free kick.

Law 18: Walking

Players must always have one foot on the ground.

Infringements: Free kick (unless advantage to attackers). Three running penalties: Blue card.

Summary: Recreational Rules

• Teams: 5 players (mixed gender), no goalkeeper.
• Substitutions: Unlimited.
• Ball: Size 4, low bounce; max height 1m.
• Pitch: Approx. 40m x 20m.
• Sanctions: Blue/red cards; substitute allowed.
• Goals: Valid only from inside 6m area; 3m x 1m size.
• Touches: Max 3 consecutive.
• Duration: 40 minutes (2×20); adjustable.
• Walking: One foot always on ground; running penalised.
• Flexible: More substitutes; adjust duration for age/health.