What is walking football?
It's football. With one key rule: no running. The result is a different game: slower on the legs, faster on the brain, and surprisingly competitive.
A short history
Walking football was invented in Chesterfield in 2011 to help older players stay involved in the game. It's now played by over 40,000 people in the UK, with the FA running its own national tournaments.
Why it works
The pace lets you read the game in a way you couldn't at full speed. Sharp passing matters more than sprinting. Positioning matters more than pace. It rewards the things you spent decades getting good at.
Key rules
- No running
- At least one foot must be in contact with the ground at all times. The referee will pull you up.
- No high balls
- The ball must stay below crossbar height. Keeps things safe and keeps the focus on passing.
- No physical contact
- Tackling from the front only, no slide tackles, no headers. You win the ball with your feet and your brain.
- 6-a-side, 20-minute games.
- Plenty of touches, plenty of breaks. We rotate substitutes throughout.