How do blind people play football?
B · Beginner · The game · 1 of 3Blind football is five-a-side: four outfield players and a goalkeeper, over two 20-minute halves, with a ball that makes a noise. Outfield players wear eye patches and eyeshades; the goalkeeper may be sighted. Kickboards wall the sides. Players call "voy" when going for the ball, and the goalkeeper, coach and a guide direct them. Spectators stay silent.
How it works
- Teams: four outfield players and a goalkeeper.
- Outfield: blind (B1) in the men's game.
- Goalkeeper: sighted or partially sighted.
- Ball: makes a noise as it moves.
- Eyeshades: for all outfield players.
- Sides: walled by kickboards.
- Voy: called when going for the ball.
- Time: two halves of 20 minutes.
The glossary has the blind football, the International Blind Sports Federation, the sight classes (blind football), the ball (blind football), the voy and the guide (blind football).
Tricky cases
Can women's outfield players be partially sighted?
Yes. B1, B2 or B3, all wearing eyeshades.
Must the crowd keep quiet?
Yes. The PA speaker asks the public for silence.
Is there offside?
No offside law appears in the blind football laws.
Which version of the laws prevails?
English.
Why the rule exists
Sound replaces sight: the ball, the voy call and the guides tell players where everything is. The eyeshades make all outfield players equally blind.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Men's outfield | B1 only | Law 3 |
| Women's outfield | B1 to B3 | Law 3 |
| Goalkeepers | Sighted allowed | Law 3 |
From the rule book
IBSA Football Sport Committee, IBSA Blind Football Laws of the Game 2025-2029, Laws 1 to 5, 8 and 12. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: IBSA Blind Football Laws of the Game 2025-2029.