What is a sandwich in blind football?
A · Advanced · Fouls and restarts · 1 of 2Indirect free kicks are given for restarts slower than four seconds, holding the ball over four seconds or not attacking within 40 seconds. Two players blocking an opponent at the kickboard, a sandwich, is an offence, as is gripping the boards. So are touching the mask, breaking silence and some goalkeeper faults.
How it works
- Four seconds: restarts and holding the ball.
- 40 seconds: a team must attack.
- Sandwich: two players blocking at the board.
- Boards: no gripping with both hands.
- Mask: touching it to gain light.
- Silence: breaking it deliberately.
- Goalkeeper: back-pass or throw over halfway.
- Bench: guides breaking their zones.
The glossary has the four-second rule, the forty-second attack rule, the sandwich, the goalkeeper indirect free kick offences, the offences by officials and guides and the light perception.
Tricky cases
A goalkeeper throws over halfway on the full. Result?
An indirect free kick from halfway.
A coach touches their own player. Penalty?
An indirect free kick and a yellow card.
A guide touches an opponent?
An indirect free kick and a red card.
A player stands on the ball for five seconds?
An indirect free kick.
Why the rule exists
Time limits stop teams killing the game. The sandwich rule protects a blind player who cannot see a second defender coming.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Players | Sandwich, time | Law 12 |
| Goalkeeper | Back-pass, long throw | Law 12, 17 |
| Bench | Zones, silence | Law 12 |
From the rule book
IBSA Football Sport Committee, IBSA Blind Football Laws of the Game 2025-2029, Laws 12 to 18. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: IBSA Blind Football Laws of the Game 2025-2029.