Football, but not as we know it: A Guide to Walking Football
Walk the Walk: The History, Rules and Benefits of Walking Football
Created in 2011 by the CEO of Chesterfield Football Club, John Croot, walking football is one of the most played sports for those over the age of 50.
We'll take a look at walking football and how it works.
Walking Football - growing in poularity
This sport is a safe space for those who are unable to play football at the same speed as they may have been able to earlier in their lives.
There are many positives to the sport. Arguably the most important advantage is that it gives participants a chance to socialise while boasting huge health benefits for the older generation.
It can even prevent dementia!
If you’re unaware of walking football, read our article to learn more about this growing sport and why more and more people are choosing to take it up in their free time.
What is Walking Football?
As a refined version of the beautiful game of football, walking football focuses on skill and accuracy, rather than the “blink and you’ll miss it”, feel to the sport.
What are the main differences if it’s still football?
There are four main differences:
Running is not allowed, and
No slide tackling.
No balls should go over head height
All free kicks are indirect.
In addition to these rules, traditional throw-ins are replaced by kick-ins, there is no offside rule and penalty kicks should be taken with the one-step rule.
These rules allow older players to stay involved in the game they love!
Also, if you’re known to be a bit of a rulebreaker… There is a sin bin timeout for any three rule infringements.
Got a football? Got a pitch? Got enough players to field two teams? The world is your oyster.
The Walking Football Association describes walking football “like the game you love, played in a new way”.
The game is normally played as six-a-side on small pitches with small goals, either on 3G or 4G artificial grass pitches or natural grass.
Why play walking football?
Walking football boasts many benefits, in terms of physicality and mental health, such as reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and strokes while improving blood pressure.
From bettering posture to lowering cholesterol and the odds of suffering from type 2 diabetes, walking football is clearly a very important sport among the older generation.
It can also reduce the amount of stress and exhaustion in the body, which is as good a reason as any for anyone to join in.
Whether you’re looking to improve your mental wellbeing or just get a bit fitter, walking football has so much to offer.
You do not even have to be on the pitch to feel the effects. Clubs involved in the sport offer administrative and coaching roles, which means that, even if football isn’t your forte, there is still a place for you to get involved.
Another reason to get involved is that the sport is rapidly growing.
The 2023 Walking Football World Nations Cup will see a maximum of 40 teams battle it out in the over 50s and over 60s age groups for the biggest title in the sport.
This championship takes place at St George’s Park, the home of England’s National Football team.
Hosted by the Federation of International Walking Football Associations (FIWFA), the 2023 World Nations Cup is set to be a huge moment for the walking football community.
It shows everyone why the sport should be taken seriously.
The History of Walking Football
Originally formed in 2010 and aimed at men over the age of 50, walking football has grown to involve over 60s and over 70s for men, and women over the age of 40.
Despite first being introduced four years earlier, the sport only came to light in 2014 when used to advertise Barclays.
The endorsement focused on Steve Rich, an ex-Sunday League footballer who was forced to quit after a car accident, and the creation of his website that attempts to connect walking football clubs all over the country.
In 2016, the reported number of registered walking football clubs in the UK skyrocketed to 800, which saw a growth of more than double from the previous year.
This is when things really took off!
Big clubs such as Manchester City got involved, launching their own team.
Walking football became a highly recognised sport in the UK, with celebrity footballers such as Sir Geoff Hurst, Alan Shearer and Harry Kane endorsing the sport.
Since then, walking football has gone from strength to strength and is continuing to grow. It is a brief history, but certainly an exciting one.
Hear from walking football founder, John Croot
“A lot of clubs have come on board since the first game here in Chesterfield a few years ago.
“Even though you are only walking, it tends to end up with a bit of a speed walk, despite always needing to have one foot on the ground,” Croot said to LifeConnect24.
“You get a good sweat on. It’s a really good way of getting active and keeping fit.
“It is worth going down to your local club and giving it a go. You can play at your own pace. It’s a very friendly environment and it’s a great place to meet new people and make new friends.
“For many of the elderly people who play here in Chesterfield, it’s more of a social thing than anything else. They get to meet their mates, just have a good time and catch up with each other.”
So, what’s stopping you from finding a club near you? Just simply have a quick search and get straight into the action, benefiting from a handful of positives, including mental, physical health and socialising.
Reap the rewards of playing a sport you love, just without the running.
