Rules of the game

FA Walking Football – Key Rules

• Walking only – running is an offence.
• Height restriction – the ball must not exceed the designated height.
• Goalkeeper save/block exception – if the ball goes above the height restriction as the result of the goalkeeper making a save or block, the goalkeeper gains possession and restarts with a goal clearance.
• No deliberate heading of the ball.
• All free kicks are indirect.
• Opposing players must be at least 3 metres from the ball at a free kick.
• A goal cannot be scored directly from a kick-off.
• No slide tackling.
• Players must not play the ball while on the floor.
• Careless, reckless or dangerous challenges are offences.
• Players must not hold, push, trip, strike, tackle or challenge an opponent illegally.
• A goalkeeper cannot receive the ball directly back from a teammate to whom they have just passed it unless the ball has touched another player.
• Penalty taker must begin their approach with both feet on the ground and no more than 2 metres from the ball.
• The fourth team “not walking” offence results in a penalty kick to the opposition.)