POWERCHAIR
FOOTBALLLAWS OF THE GAME
Amendments for Change 2010
Official Rules & Regulations

Fédération Internationale de Powerchair
Football Association (FIPFA)

Fédération Internationale de Powerchair Football Association
42 rue Louis Lumière - 75020 PARIS - FRANCE
Association loi 1901 déclarée le 16/10/2006 à la préfecture de Paris sous le N° : 00178145P

www.fipfa.org

Amendments to the Laws of the GameFIPFA Rules Commission

FIPFA Rules Commission amendments to the Laws of the Game
Page

Law

Current Text

New Text

Reason5

Objectof thegame

A formal classification system for levels ofplay is still under development. Contact the
Fédération Internationale of Powerchair
Football Association (FIPFA) for further
information.

RemovedFormalClassification
System in place

5

Objectof thegame

Size of court

Size of field

Consistentwording

6

1

All lines are a minimum of 5 cm (2 inches)
wide.

All lines are a minimum of 5 cm (2 in) wide.

Consistency

6

1

The centre mark is indicated at the midpointof the halfway line. The mark may consist of
a 15 cm (6 inch) “X” taped securely onto thefloor with contrasting/non-damaging tape.

The centre mark is indicated at the midpointof the halfway line. The mark may consistof a 15 cm (6 in) “X” taped securely onto
the floor with contrasting/non-damaging
tape.

Consistency

71

The distance between the posts is 6 m (19ft 8 The distance between the posts is 6 m (19ftinches).
6.8 in).

Incorrect
measurement

71

An area at least 1 m (1 yd) wide is placedaround the entire perimeter of the field whichallows the manoeuvre of the officials.

Incorrect
measurement

Amendments to the Laws of the GameAn area at least 1 m (39.4 inc) wide isplaced around the entire perimeter of the
field which allows the manoeuvre of theofficials.

FIPFA Rules Commission

December 2010

7

1

A triangle 1 m (1 yd) from each corner isdrawn inside the field of play.

A triangle 1 m (39.4 inc)from each corner isdrawn inside the field of play.

Incorrect
measurement

7

1

The technical area lateral limits are from thegoal line to the halfway line or 1 m (1 yd)from the scorer’s table and extends forward
to the edge of the officials’ area.

The technical area lateral limit are from thegoal line to the halfway line or 1 m (39.4
inc) from the scorer’s table and extends
forward to the edge of the officials’ area.

Incorrect
measurement

92

Qualities and Measurements

Qualities and Measurements

The ball is:

The ball is: spherical,

 spherical,

 made of leather, vinyl, or othersuitable material, that is low friction

 Of appropriate pressure so as tominimise bouncing yet prevent
powerchairs from riding over it.

 33 cm (13 in) in diameter (no morethan 35.6 cm (14 in) and no lessthan 30.5 cm (12 in), andTechnical
Commission
have developed
Technical sheets
to indentify
further detail See ball technical specification forfurther information.

 of appropriate pressure so as tominimise bouncing yet prevent
powerchairs from riding over it.
103

Teams must provide team sheets to thereferee prior to the start of the match.
Substitutes not so named may not take partin the match.

Amendments to the Laws of the Game

Teams must provide team sheets to thereferee prior to the start of the match.
Players & substitutes not so named may nottake part in the match.

FIPFA Rules Commission

Clear
understandingof words

December 2010

10

3

14

4

The substitution is complete when the player
being substituted for has completely left thecourt

The substitution is completed when asubstitute enters the field of play

Footguards

Footguards

should consist of unbreakable material andbe securely attached to the powerchairmust consist of unbreakable material andbe securely attached to the powerchairbottom of the footguards should be no
more than 10 cm (5 in) (and not less than
5 cm (2 in)) from the floorplayers must be able to maintain eye
contact with the ball

footguard surfaces shall be solid and notangled to hit the ball upwards

front of footguards should be at least 20
cm (8 in) high but no more than 45 cm(20 in) from the ground

players must be able to maintain eye
contact with the ball

footguard surfaces shall be solid and notangled to hit the ball upwards
o all surfaces must be flat orconvex. Concave surfaces are
not allowed. No part of thefootguard shall be constructed so
as to be able to trap or hold theballfootguards should not extend more than
13 in from the front of the forward wheelsof the powerchair, when reversed. If a
player’s feet are too close to the guard or
would extend beyond the footguard, up to

Amendments to the Laws of the Game

Correct wording

Technical
Commission
have developed
Technical sheets
to indentify
further detailo all surfaces must be flat orconvex. Concave surfaces are
not allowed. No part of thefootguard shall be constructedso as to be able to trap or holdthe ballfootguards must not have any sharp
surfaces or protrusionsfootguards must not be wider than thewidest point of the frame or wheelbase of
the powerchair

footguards must not be narrower than
the front casters (or attachments) of thepowerchair

See FIPFA Footguard technicalspecification for further information.

FIPFA Rules Commission

December 2010

10 additional cm (4 in) will be allowedbeyond the furthest extension of thetoes/feet

16

5



footguards must not have any sharp
surfaces or protrusionsfootguards must not be wider than thewidest point of the frame or wheelbase of
the powerchair

footguards should not be narrower than
the front casters (or attachments) of thepowerchairstops, suspends, or terminates the match,
at his discretion, for any infringement of
the Laws

stops, suspends, or abandons the match,
at his discretion, for any infringement of
the Laws

stops, suspends, or terminates the match
because of outside interferencestops, suspends, or abandons the match
because of outside interference

Consistentwording19

6which side is entitled to a corner kick, goal
kick, or hit-in

which side is entitled to a corner kick,goal kick, or kick-in

Consistentwording20

7



stoppage to ensure a player’s safety suchas when a player is in danger of flipping
over or when major powerchair parts fall
onto the field in close proximity to play

stoppage to ensure a player’s safety suchas when a player is in danger of fallingover or when major powerchair parts fall
onto the field in close proximity to play

Correct English

22

8

For any infringement of the kick-off the kickoff is retaken.

25

9Amendments to the Laws of the Game

For any other infringement of the kick-off
the kick-off is retaken.

ConsistentwordingConsistent with

it elevates above 50.8cm (20in) from thefloor

FIPFA Rules Commission

December 2010

above change
26

10

For matches ending in a draw, competition
rules may state provisions involving extra
time to determine the winner of a match.

For matches ending in a draw, competition
rules may state provisions involving extra
time or kicks from the penalty mark to
determine the winner of a match.

Covers whole of
the game

27

11

There are two possible offenses which are
based on the positions of the players.
However, it is not an offense in itself if either
situation occurs.

There are two possible offenses based onrelative positioning of players and the ballduring play. However several criteria must
be met before the positioning becomes anoffense.

Clearer intent

27

11



both teammates and the opponent
are involved in active play

Clearer intent

Active play is defined as: interfering with play or

28

11

31

12

31

12



interfering with an opponent orgaining an advantage by being inthat position

Unless it denies a goal scoring opportunity
follow Law 12wholly crosses the goal line (all 4
major wheels), between the goal
posts, during play

Amendments to the Laws of the Game

Added forconsistency

 wholly crosses their own goal line,
between the goal posts, during play

Clearer intent

3rd player enters their own goal area
while the ball is in play.

Clearer intent

FIPFA Rules Commission

December 2010

An indirect free kick is awarded to the
opposing team if a 3rd player enters theirown goal area while the ball is in play.
34

13

For both direct and indirect free kicks, theball must be stationary when the kick istaken.

For both direct and indirect free kicks, theball must be stationary when the kick istaken and the kicker must not touch the ballagain until it has not touched another player

Clearer intent

34

13



the ball is in play when it is moved beyond
the goal areathe ball is in play when it is kicked
directly out of the goal area

Clearer intent

34

13



all opponents are at least 5 m (16.5 ft)
away from the ball until it is in play, unlessthey are on their own goal line between
the goal posts

all opponents are at least 5 m (16.5 ft)
away from the ball until it is in play,(unless goalkeepers are behind their own
goal line between the goal posts).

Clearer intent

35

13



Defenders’ have priority over position in
own goal area prior to kick.

35

13

The kicker touches the ball a second
time (except with his hands) before it
has touched another player:


37

14

Correct
grammar defenders have priority for position in
their own goal area prior to the kick.

The ball:an indirect free kick is awarded
to the opposing team, the kickto be taken from the place
where the infringement occurred

The ball:is placed on the penalty markAmendments to the Laws of the Game



Consistentwording

Clearer intent
must be placed on the penalty

FIPFA Rules Commission

December 2010

The players taking the penalty kick:14

The player taking the penalty kicks:The defending goalkeeper:at the time the kick was awarded
must defend the penalty kick (nosubstitution allowed)
remains on his goal line, facing the
kicker, between the goalposts, withboth front wheels touching the goalline until the ball has been kicked

must be properly identifiedat the time the kick was awarded
must defend the penalty kick (nosubstitution allowed)

must remain on his goal line, facing
the kicker, between the goalposts,
with whole of the chair behind thegoal line until the ball has been
kickedafter the players have taken
positions in accordance with theLaw, the referee signals for the
penalty kick to be taken.

the player taking the penalty kickkicks the ball

he does not play the ball a second
time until it has touched anotherplayer

the ball is in play when it is touched
and moves

the player taking the penalty mustkick the ball.



he must not touch the ball again
until it has touched another playerthe ball is in play when it is touched
and moves.



38

is properly identified

The defending goalkeeper:

37/38 14

mark

The player taking the penalty kickinfringes the Laws of the Game:

the referee allows the kick toproceedAmendments to the Laws of the Game

Clearer intent

The player taking the penalty kick or ateammate of the player taking the kickinfringes the Laws of the Game:

Clearer intent

 the referee allows the kick to

FIPFA Rules Commission

December 2010


if the ball enters the goal, the kick isretaken
if the ball does not enter the goal,,
the referee stops play and restarts
the match with an indirect free kickto the defending teamThe goalkeeper infringes the Laws of
the Game:the referee allows the
kick to proceed

if the ball enters thegoal, a goal is awarded

if the ball does not enter
the goal, the kick isretakenproceed if the ball enters the goal, thekick is retaken if the ball does not enter thegoal, the referee stops play andrestarts the match with anindirect free kick to the
opposing team from the place
where the infringement
occurred.
The goalkeeper or teammate of thegoalkeeper infringes the Laws of the
Game: the referee allows the kick toproceed if the ball enters the goal, a goalis awarded
 if the ball does not enter thegoal, the kick is retaken

38

14

A teammate of the player taking the
kick enters the goal area or moves infront of or within 5 m (16.5 ft) of thepenalty mark:Deleted due toabove change
for consistency

 the referee allows the kick toproceed if the ball enters the goal, theAmendments to the Laws of the GameFIPFA Rules Commission

December 2010

kick is retaken if the ball does not enter the goal,
the referee stops play andrestarts the match with anindirect free kick to the opposing
team, at the point where theinfringement occurred
A teammate of the goalkeeper enters
the goal area or moves in front of orwithin 5 m (16.5 ft) of the penalty
mark: the referee allows the kick toproceed if the ball enters the goal, a goalis awarded
 if the ball does not enter the goal,
the kick is retaken
39

14

The ball rebounds into the field from thegoalkeeper or the goalposts, and is thentouched by an outside agent:

The ball rebounds into the field of play fromthe goalkeeper or the goalposts, and is thentouched by an outside agent:the referee stops play

the referee stops play

play is restarted with a set ball at theplace it the outside agent

play is restarted with a set ball at theplace where it touched the outside
agent, unless it touched the outside
agent inside the goal area, in whichcase the referee sets the ball on thegoal area line at the point nearest to

Amendments to the Laws of the GameFIPFA Rules Commission

Clearer intent

December 2010

where the ball was located when play
was stopped.
40

15





41

41

41

16

16

16

the kicker then can not touch the ball asecond time until it has touched anotherplayerDefenders’ have priority over position in
own goal area prior to kick.

A goal kick is awarded when:

the kicker must not touch the ball a again
until it has touched another playerDefenders have priority for position in
their own goal area prior to the kick.

A goal kick is awarded when:

Clearer wording

the whole of the ball, last having toucheda player of the attacking team, passes
over the goal line, either on the ground orin the air, and a goal is not scored inaccordance with Law 10

the ball is kicked from any point within thegoal area by a player of the defendingteam

the ball is kicked from any point within
Clearer intent
the goal area by a player of the defending
team

Opponents remain at least 5 m (16.5 ft)
away until the ball is in playOpponents remain at least 5 m (16.5 ft)
away until the ball is in playthe ball is in play when it is moved beyond
the goal area

the kicker must not touch the ball a again
until it has touched another playerthe ball is in play when it is kicked
directly out of the goal area.

If, after the ball is in play, the kicker
deliberately handles the ball before it has
touched another player:a direct free kick is awarded to theAmendments to the Laws of the Game

Clearer intent

the whole of the ball passes over thegoal line, either in the air or on the
ground, having last touched a playerof the attacking team, and a goal is
not scored in accordance with Law 10.

If the ball is not kicked directly out of thegoal area from a goal kick:

Clearer intent

the kick is retaken.

If, after the ball is in play, the kicker
FIPFA Rules Commission

December 2010

opposing team, the kick to be taken fromthe place where the infringement occurred

touches the ball again before it has touchedanother player:

For any other infringement of this Law:

the kick is retaken

an indirect free kick is awarded to the
opposing team, the kick to be takenfrom the place where the infringement
occurred, subject to the provisions of
Law 13.

For any other infringement of this Law:

42

42

17

17

the kick is retaken

A corner kick is awarded when:A corner kick is awarded when:

the whole of the ball, having last toucheda player of the defending team, passes
over the goal line, either on the ground orin the air, and a goal is not scored inaccordance with Law 10



the whole of the ball passes over the goalline, either on the ground or in the air,having last touched a player of the
defending team, and a goal is not scoredin accordance with Law 10.

the ball is placed on the corner of the fieldclosest to where the ball went out of play

opponents remain at least 5 m (16.5 ft)
away from corner triangle until the ball isin play.

the ball is placed inside the corner
triangle closest to where the ball crossed
the goal line.



the ball is kicked by a player of theattacking teamthe ball is in play when it is touched andmoves

Opponents must remain at least 5 m(16.5 ft) away from the corner triangle
until the ball is in play, (unless
goalkeepers are behind their own goalline between the goal posts).



the kicker does not touch the ball a secondtime until it has touched another player

the ball is kicked by a player of theattacking team

Defenders’ have priority over position in

Amendments to the Laws of the Game

Clearer intent

Clear consistentwording

the ball is in play when it is touched andmoves

FIPFA Rules Commission

December 2010

own goal area prior to kick42

17

If the kicker touches the ball a second time
before it has touched another player:
 An indirect free kick is awarded to the
opposing team to be taken from the place
where the infringement occurred
For any infringement of this Law:

the kicker must not touch the ball again
until it has touched another playerDefenders have priority for position in
their own goal area prior to kickIf, after the ball is in play, the kicker
touches the ball again before it has touchedanother player:the kick is retaken

Clearer intent

an indirect free kick is awarded to the
opposing team, the kick to be takenfrom the place where the infringement
occurred, subject to the provisions of
Law 13.

For any infringement of this Law:

43 46

18

47

Kicks
from
the
Penaltymark

If a team has a greater number of players– or finishes the match, than theiropponents, they shall reduce their
numbers to equate with that of theiropponents and inform the referee of thename and number of each player
excluded. The team captain has this
responsibility.

Amendments to the Laws of the Game

the kick is retaken

New Law 18 Classification, See Laws of theGame (approved December 2010) for fullwording

New LawClearer intent

If a team has a greater number ofplayers at the end of the match, thantheir opponents, they shall reduce their
numbers to equate with that of theiropponents and inform the referee of thename and number of each player
excluded. The team captain has this
responsibility.

FIPFA Rules Commission

December 2010

47

Kicks
from
the
Penalty
mark

48

51 –
52



An eligible player may change places withthe goalkeeper at any time when kicks
from the penalty mark are being takenThe goalkeeper who is on the field of playat the end of the match, which includes
extra time where appropriate, will defend
all the kicks from the mark by the
opposing team.

Kicks
from
the
Penaltymark

If a player is injured or sent off during
New bullet
the taking of kicks from the penalty markthe referee should not reduce the numberof players taking kicks for the otherteam. An equal number of players fromeach team is required only at the start of
the taking of kicks from the penalty markReferee
Signals

New updated signals for referees

Amendments to the Laws of the GameFIPFA Rules Commission

Clearer intent

December 2010