How are drawn blind football matches decided?
I · Intermediate · Tournaments · 5 of 5Group games give three points for a win and one for a draw. Ties are broken by points, goal difference and goals, then the same between the teams involved, then fewer cards, then lots. Drawn knockout games go to kicks from the penalty mark: three each, by outfield players, stopping when one side cannot be caught.
How it works
- Points: 3 win, 1 draw, 0 defeat.
- Tie-breaks: points, goal difference, goals.
- Then: head to head results.
- Then: fewer red and yellow cards.
- Last: a draw of lots.
- Shootout: three kicks each.
- Kickers: not goalkeepers or sent-off players.
- Still level: more kicks, new kickers first.
The glossary has the points and tie-breaks (IBSA competitions), the kicks from the penalty mark (blind football), the penalty kick (blind football), the team sheet (blind football), the goalkeeper (blind football) and the captain (blind football).
Tricky cases
Can a goalkeeper take a shootout kick?
No.
A team has more players than the other. Shootout?
It reduces to match.
Can the goalkeeper be changed in a shootout?
Only for a certified injury.
Can shirt numbers change between games?
No. They are fixed for the competition.
Why the rule exists
Cards as a tie-break reward clean play. Three kicks each fit a five-a-side game.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Groups | Points | Comp 1 |
| Ties | Long tie-break list | Comp 2 |
| Knockout | Three kicks each | Proc 2 |
From the rule book
IBSA Football Sport Committee, IBSA Blind Football Laws of the Game 2025-2029, Procedures to determine the winner of a match and Competition regulations, clauses 1, 2 and 4. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: IBSA Blind Football Laws of the Game 2025-2029.