RULES / CODE OF CONDUCT

Rules in Brief

1. Walking is defined as having one foot on the ground at all times and is characterised by placing the heel of the foot down first, keeping a straight front leg.
2. Running or jogging will be penalised with an indirect free kick 
3. No physical contact of any kind is permitted
4. The ball must not go above 2 metres height – a free kick will be awarded against the offending player if it does
5. Deflection above 2 metre height by goalkeeper making a save or block – kick-in from side awarded to attacking team
6. No heading the ball 
7. All free kicks are indirect 
8. No offsides 
9. No tackling from the side or behind 
10. Goals may not be scored direct from kick-off or any dead ball situation
11. Defenders must be 3-metres distant from free-kicks and kick-ins
12. Players may not play the ball whilst grounded – this includes slide tackles and slide blocks 
13. Cornering a player is not permitted – allow opponent to turn 
14. No 2 versus 1 tackling at barriers/wall (if playing on enclosed pitch)
15. No tackling across an opponent at a wall/barrier 
16. Playing with reckless or dangerous intent is a sending-off offence
17. Players taking penalty kicks must start their approach from a distance of no more than 2 metres
18. No restriction on passing back or out from the goalkeeper 
19. Sin Bin time outs may be applied for persistent infringements in the course of a game (usually 3 or more, at referee’s discretion)
20. Zero tolerance on abusive or violent conduct
21. When the goalkeeper passes the ball out, the receiving player cannot then pass the ball straight back to the goalkeeper before it has touched another player
22. Zero tolerance on disrespectful conduct towards the referee
23. 4 running fouls by a team incurs a penalty kick
24. If a player goes down, play is stopped and the game resumed with the ball returned to the team that was in possession
25. If the goalkeeper leaves his area (unless carried out unintentionally by momentum) a penalty kick is awarded
26. If an attacking player encroaches in the goal area a free kick is awarded, if a defender encroaches a penalty is awarded

Rules in Full

The FA Walking Football Rules (revised 2025) can be found at the following link >>

<< FA RULES (UPDATED 2025) >>

CLUB CODE OF CONDUCT

ON AND OFF THE FIELD, I WILL:

• Adhere to the Laws of Walking Football as laid out by the English Football Association
• Display and promote high standards of behaviour when representing the club in public
• Promote Fair Play
• Always respect the match official decisions
• Never engage in public criticism of the match officials
• Never engage in offensive, insulting, threatening or abusive language or behaviour
towards opponents, team-mates, officials or spectators
• Never engage in bullying, intimidation or harassment
• Speak to my team-mates, opponents and my coach/manager with respect
• Remember we all make mistakes
•Win or lose with dignity. Shake hands with the opposing team and the referee at the
end of every game.

I understand that if I do not follow the Code, any/all of the following actions may be
taken:

I MAY:

• Be required to apologise to team-mates, the other team, referee or team manager
• Receive a warning from the coach
• Receive a written warning from the club committee
• Be dropped or substituted
• Not be selected for the team
• Be required to serve a suspension
•Be required to leave the club