Wigan Walkers FC - Walking Football Rules

These simplified rules vary slightly from WFA and FA COMPETITION RULES but are a more coherent and concise set of rules. 

When playing in competitions please study the rules for that competition.

Normal professional football rules apply except for the following.

1, Walking football is a minimal contact game. (Shoulder charging, pushing, barging a player off the ball, kicking, deliberately backing into an opponent or any other form of serious contact is an offence.)

2, It is an offence to play in a dangerous manner that may threaten injury to a player including oneself. This includes slide tackling and kicking the ball with undue force.

3, It is an offence to run or jog on or off the ball. Walking is determined by having a foot in contact with the ground at all times and not by the pace of a player.

4, It is an offence to play the ball whilst on the ground, except for goalkeepers.

5, It is an offence to tackle a player with the ball from behind. (See diagram). (Coming from behind a player to intercept an oncoming ball is not an offence). 

6, It is an offence for the ball to go above 1.83 mtrs (6ft) to the underside of the ball. If the ball comes off or from the goalkeeper and goes above 1.83 mtrs (6ft), the ball is returned to the keeper, the exception being if it goes out of play after contact with the keeper then a corner or kick-in is taken.

7, If the keeper makes contact with the ball and the ball goes above 1.83 mtrs (6ft) and then falls in the goal, the goal is allowed.

(The Soccer Dome goals are 1.83 mtrs (6ft) to the underside of the bar).

8, Goalkeepers are not allowed to drop kick the ball or throw it over-arm and if it is done the ball must be returned to the keeper.

9, If an offence is committed near the goal area the free kick must be taken 3 mtrs (10ft) away from the goal area.

10, Where the pitch has barriers it is an offence for 2 players at once to crowd the player with the ball or to block a player in the corner or to hold on to the barrier to gain an advantage.

11, The opposition must be at least 3 mtrs (10ft) from the ball during the taking of free kicks, corners and kick ins. (Quick free kicks are allowed if safe to do so).

12, A player taking a goal kick, free kick, corner, kick in or penalty must start their movement no further than 1 mtr (3ft 3 inch) from the ball. The ball must be stationary before it is kicked. Penalties are taken 6mtrs (20ft) from the goal line. 

(The goal area line at the Soccer Dome is 5 mtrs radius).

13, Free kicks, corners and kick-ins are all indirect and in the event of the ball going in the goal, the goal will be disallowed and the ball retained by the keeper. (A goal will only be allowed if the ball is actively played by another player. A deflection off a player is not active play.)

 14, If a player is on the ground and uninjured and no offence has been committed all players should stand still until the player gets up and then the game can continue where it left off.

15, It is an offence to deliberately head the ball.

16, It is an offence to deliberately make contact with the ball with the hand or arm below the elbow. It is also an offence if it is not deliberate but the player or his/her team gains an advantage. (It is not an offence for the hand or arm to make accidental contact with the ball if no advantage is gained).

17, It is an offence for an outfield player to enter the goal area unless by momentum or by an accident that has no obvious affect on the game.)

18, If a defender enters the goal area to gain an unfair advantage a penalty is awarded. 

19, If an attacking player enters the goal area and scores the goal is disallowed.

20, Any part of the ball on the line marking the goal area is in the goal area and the ball can only be played by the keeper.

21, If a goalkeeper leaves the goal area to try and gain an advantage a penalty is awarded, however if a goalkeeper leaves the goal area by accident and there is no advantage gained, or by momentum, no offence is committed. 

22, Wearing of watches (except for the timekeeper) or jewellery is not allowed and should be removed or taped up. 

These are the match rules for WIGAN WALKERS FC only. The rules that other clubs or referees use are irrelevant so please do not refer to them.

The above rules are designed to keep players safe and not to spoil anyone’s fun and should be studied by all players so there are no conflicting views.

More important than the above rules is playing in the spirit of the game. You will be playing against an opposition not your enemy. Only you will remember if you won the previous week but everyone will remember if you had a bad attitude or argued with the referee. 

Just have some fun with your mates and stay safe.