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Bells, nutmegs and blindfolds: welcome to the world of blind soccer! In our "24 Sports Chrono" series, we tell you everything you need to know about Olympic and Paralympic Games disciplines. On your marks, get set! Go!
A sport with Spanish origins
Soccer doesn't stop at the eleven a-side game. Variations of the beautiful game are played all over the world and blind soccer is no exception.
This sport, which will celebrate its 20th Paralympic anniversary this summer in Paris, has come a long way since its first appearance at the Athens Games.
Before making it to Olympic arenas, blind soccer was a simple way for blind children in Spain to relieve themselves of boredom in the early 1920s. Its popularity really took off in Brazil in the middle of the 20th century but it wasn't until 1987 that it finally arrived in France.
Since then, it's had somewhat of a meteoric rise. In 1996, it was officially recognized as a sport by the IBSA (International Blind Sports Federation) and its Paralympic success story is well known!
Liking the 24 Sports Chrono series?
"24 Sports Chrono" is a weekly feature published during the lead up to the Games.
Missed the previous episode? Catch up here with triathlon.
Missed the previous episode? Catch up here with triathlon.
Sighted goalkeepers are allowed
Picturing a blind soccer match is like watching a futsal match (5 players per team, including a goalkeeper) on a handball court (40 m x 20 m). Although in this case, athletes are visually impaired and must wear masks to ensure fair play.
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Just like any soccer game: the team with the highest score after thirty minutes of play (2 halves of fifteen minutes each) wins the match. The game is obviously not just about winning, but also about skill!
Balls have an integrated sound system, bells, to allow players to know where it is at all times. To ensure that the ball does not leave the field, barriers are placed along the length of the pitch. The team's last line of defense, the goalkeeper - who is not visually impaired - can guide his defenders against opposing attacks.
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Teams are coached by managers who direct their teams play from the touchline. He gives information to his players such as distance to goal and who is in possession. Scoring though, is down to the attacking guide. Stationed behind the opposing goal, he can signal to players when to shoot.
Categories
Athletes are divided into three categories:
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B1: Totally blind or almost totally blind players.
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B2: Visually impaired players with a maximum visual acuity of 2/60 or a maximum visual field of 5°.
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B3: Visually impaired players with visual acuity between 2/60 and 6/60 or a visual field from 5° and 20°.
Played in silence
Communication is key in blind soccer. Although games can get quite physical, silence is required from the stands as the players need to be able to talk to each other.
If you listen carefully, cries of "voy" can be heard, coming from the pitch. This means "go" (a nod to the games Spanish origins). It's used to announce ones movement towards the ball. Once the ball has been recovered, you shout "mine" to inform your team. In attacking positions, the ball carrier and his team-mates must also shout out to show their positions.
Les Bleus face challenging competition
Unfortunately, Frédéric Villeroux's team-mates were no match for Brazil in their first Olympic final at the London 2012 Games. In Tokyo, they finished last.
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The Tricolores face a daunting challenge in Paris, as they aim to reach the heady heights of London 2012 again. This time though, a surprise guest will help them along their way. France international Olivier Giroud will join the three-time European champions set up ahead of the Games.
Brazil are the favorites as usual, remarkably, they remain unbeaten at the Paralympics since the sports debut at the 2004 Athens Games . They boast five gold medals!
When and where?
The mens tournament kicks off on September 1st, with the final on the 7th at the Stade tour Eiffel, located in the heart of the Champ-de-Mars. Click here to buy your tickets. Unfortunately, there will not be a women's tournament this year, due to a lack of representation.
Where can I play blind soccer in Paris
Paris and its suburbs boast a number of blind soccer clubs and associations: A2CMieux (14th arrondissement), Association sportive handi-jeunes de Paris ( 17th arrondissement) and AC Boulogne-Billancourt (Hauts-de-Seine) to name a few.
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