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Laws of the Game

Powerchair Football is an exciting and fast-paced sport played on a basketball-sized court in a four-a-side format. Players use specially designed powerchairs that enable them to manoeuvre and control the ball on the pitch. The sport is inclusive, allowing people of all ages, disabilities, and genders to compete together. It offers participants a chance to engage in regular physical activity and experience competition, which may be rare for many due to their impairments. This helps build important life skills such as teamwork and communication.

The Pitch

  • The game is played indoors on a Basketball court.
  • The surface of the court must be hard, smooth and level.  (Usually wood or artificial material).
  • It is vital that there is adequate “run-off” around the pitch.

The Ball

  • A unique 33cm diameter ball is used.

Number of Players

  • A team consists of up to 8 players.
  • 4 players are on the pitch at any time.
  • One player is a goalkeeper.
  • There are unlimited substitutes.

Ball In and Out of Play

  • If a ball leaves the field of play, the following will be awarded;

    • Kick-In (equivalent to a throw-in)
    • Corner
    • Goal Kick
    • Set Ball

2 on 1

  • If two teammates and an opponent are within 3 meters of the ball while it is in play, then it is a foul.
  • The referee will award an indirect free kick to the opposing team.

Penalty

  • Usually awarded for fouls such as heavy contact or ramming an opponent.
  • Taken from 3.5m from the goal line.
  • The goalkeeper must remain behind this line until the ball is struck.
  • All other players must be behind the ball and at least 5m from the ball.

Equipment

  • Powerchair Football has to be played in an electric wheelchair.
  • Players must use a WFA-sanctioned playing attachment.
  • Players must wear a seatbelt for their safety, and it is a rule of the game.

Goals

  • The goalposts are 6m apart.
  • Unique Powerchair Football goalposts are used for safety.
  • A goal is scored when the whole ball crosses the goal line between the two goalposts.

Match Duration

  • A match is 40 minutes long.
  • This is played in two 20-minute halves.

Restarting Play

  • All opposition players must be 5m away from the ball.
  • The set-piece taker can only touch the ball once.

Penalty Area

  • Only two players from the defending team may enter the penalty area at any one time.
  • If more than two defenders enter their penalty area, the opposition will be awarded a free kick.
  • There is no restriction for the attacking team.
  • The goalkeeper can commit a 2 on 1 in the area.

Tackling

  • It is allowed as long as it is playing attachment to playing attachment.
  • Contact with any other part of the chairs or ramming is a foul and is NOT allowed.
  • Ramming is defined as when a player deliberately drives into an opponent, with or without the ball, at a high rate of speed or with excessive force. The opponent may be moving or standing still.
  • An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team.