Blind soccer/football is an adaptation of the mainstream sport of futsal for athletes with a vision impairment. Currently only B1 Soccer/Football is played at the Paralympics, however, there are international competitions for B2/B3 athletes (classifications B1, B2 and B3 explained below). B1 Soccer/Football is played on a 40mx20m pitch with kick boards so the ball does not easily exit the pitch. The ball used is a modified futsal ball and has multiple rattles sewn into the ball. The use of the futsal ball is important as the ball has a reduced bounce which allows the athletes to track and control the ball with greater ease.
Like other blind sports blind soccer/football relies on minimal noise from the spectators and players so they are able to orientate and track the ball. However, like a lot of blind sport blind soccer/football is an invasion game and relies on players still communicating their position on the field. Therefore, defenders must communicate their position and intention to attack the ball by calling "Voi" which means "Mine" in Portuguese.
To ensure that players are able to orientate towards the goals each team is allowed a coach behind the goal, communicating to their team as to where and when to strike the ball. When a penalty is taken this same coach taps the parameters (posts and cross bar) of the goals so the player can accurately aim for the goal.
As blind soccer players are talented and powerful athletes the goalkeepers are the only players on the team that can be sighted (athletes without vision impairment and without blindfolds).
To truly see the skill, power and talent present in international blind soccer watch the YouTube clip below from the London Olympic Games of Turkey vs Brazil.
To be able to compete in official blind soccer tournaments athletes must have a B1, B2, B3 or B4 classification.
In South Australia it is possible to get a classification by booking time with the Royal Society for the Blind or Health2Go at Flinders University.
Visual acuity poorer than LogMAR 2.60 which is equivalent to poorer than 6/600 (no functional vision for sport)
Visual acuity ranging from LogMAR 1.50 to 2.60 (inclusive) or 6/160 to 6/600 (inclusive)
Visual acuity ranging from LogMAR 1.0 to 1.40 (inclusive) or 6/60 to 6/160 (inclusive) OR visual fields less than 10 degrees diameter and visual acuity better than 0.5 or 6/19 (B4)
SASVI has been heavily involved in blind soccer in South Australia for many years. SASSVI ran the first blind soccer club in South Australia with the support of the Football Federation of South Australia (FFSA). As this grew so did the interest from external agencies and eventually SASSVI joined and worked with Igor Negrao Australia's B1 Blind Soccer/Football coach. Igor worked closely to help support and expand the blind soccer opportunities at SASSVI and in South Australia.
Blind soccer/football is a fantastic and fun sport for athletes and students with a vision impairment. It is generally played in the winter months in South Australia and all athletes with a vision impairment are welcome.
If you would like more information on the blind soccer/football program at SASSVI or in South Australia please contact:
Andrew Whisson (PE Teacher at the SA School and Services for Vision Impaired)
Phone Number: +61882775255
If you would like more information on blind soccer/football in South Australia please contact:
Bess Hepworth (Australian B1 Blind Soccer/Football Coach)
Email: bess@planetally.org
If you would like more information on opportunities in Blind Sports in South Australia please contact:
Kent Dredge (Sports Development Officer)
Email: kent.dredge@blindsportssa.org.au
Visit: blindsportssa.org.au