Amputee Athletes - Amputee Sports - Action Photos Button
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  4 x 4 Rules
Amputee football is basically the same as the two-legged version,
with some minor adaptations:

General Rules:
  • An amputee is defined as one who is "abbreviated" at or above (proximal) to the wrist or ankle.

  • Outfielders may have two hands but only one foot. Goalies may have two legs, but only one hand.

  • The game is played without prosthesis, on metal crutches. Forearm crutches are the international standard. Metal underarm crutches may be used, but all wing nuts must be completely covered with tape to avoid injuring other players.

    Wooden crutches are not allowed due to the danger of breaking and splintering.

  • Incidental contact between the ball and a crutch is allowed. But crutches may not be used to advance the ball. Blocking, trapping, or advancing the ball with a crutch is considered the same as a hand pass.

  • Residual limbs may not be used to advance the ball. That keeps it fair, since someone with longer residual limbs would have a distinct advantage over those with shorter residuals. Incidental contact is OK, but a player may not use the residual limb to trap, block, or pass the ball. Hand pass rules apply.

  • Shin guards must be worn.

  • Use of a crutch against another player in an offensive manner will result in the player's ejection from the game and a penalty kick awarded. Period.
The Pitch:  
Outdoors: 51 meters x 31 meters.
Indoors: A school gymnasium basketball court can serve as a pitch. Amputee football has also been played in indoor arenas. In such case using the sidewalls for passing and bank shots is allowed.

The Goal:  Somewhat smaller than in the two-legged game - 2 meters high x 3 meters wide x 1 meter deep.

The Ball:   Standard FIFA.

Duration of Play:   Games consist of 2 periods of 20 minutes each, with a 10 minute rest interval between periods.

Offside:   The Offside rules does not apply in amputee soccer.

Players:  
International Rules - 6 per side, plus keeper.
Local teams may also play 4 x 4 rules.

Goal Keeper Rules:   The goal keeper is not allowed to leave the penalty area, if this occurs and is deliberate, a penalty is awarded to the other side and the goalkeeper dismissed from the field of play (Red Card).

Player Substitution:   Due too the physical demands of the game substitutions may be made at any time and shall be unlimited.

Play Against Two-Leggeds: Yes, there will be times when you'll want to play, both recreationally and competitively, against two-legged teams. And you'll both love it.

Two-legged players don't have to use crutches, but they have to wear a red sock, for example, or ribbons around one leg. They can run on that leg - but can't trap, block, kick or tackle with it. Using the "marked" foot results in a hand-pass call and ball turn-over.

The two-legged team goalie must play one-handed.

Other than that, the rules are the same as FIFA:
        Offense:   Kick Ball. Score goal.
        Defense:   Don't allow it.

Red Line