No cheers - players need to hear in five-a-side football
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The guide behind the goal plays a very important role in directing players. [China.org.cn] |
Typically, fans and spectators roar at sporting events, and even a milder crowd will break into thunderous applause and cheering from time to time, but for fans watching five-a-side football there is a strict code of silence.
Five-a-side football is an adaptation of football for athletes with visual impairments, which includes blindness. The ball is equipped with a noise-making device to allow players to locate it by sound, therefore, any other noises that may disturb players are forbidden. The sport, governed by the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA), is played with modified FIFA rules.
The field of play is smaller and is surrounded by boards. Teams consist of five players, four field players and a goalkeeper. Teams may also use one guide, who is positioned off the field of play, to assist in directing players. Matches consist of two 25-minute halves, with a ten-minute halftime.
The ball cannot be kicked over head level, but if it occurs the opposition is awarded an indirect free kick. The penalty area is significantly different from regular football: it is semi-circular in shape, and only the goalkeeper is allowed to touch the ball within it. Goalkeepers are only allowed to roll the ball to another player. The goalkeeper may only kick the ball if it is while making a save. There are no offside, which eliminates the need for linesmen, and there are also no headers.
It is very difficult to score in five-a-side football because the goalkeeper can see, but the game remains exciting as the athletes play with courage and spirit.
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