Find walking football near me

Walking football is ideal for anyone who enjoys the beautiful game but wants to go at a slower pace. If you’re wondering what walking football is, it combines most elements of traditional football but with walking instead of running. This makes it suited to most people, especially those over 50 years old. Whether your goal is to keep fit, meet new friends or simply play for the love of it, walking football gives you the perfect opportunity to take to the pitch.

Whether you’ve played before or are new to the sport, walking football will add a new lease of life to your week. With sessions held for men and women all over the country, check in with your local leisure centre to find one near you.

If you want to find a walking football club or session near you, start by checking your nearest leisure centre.

Find a walking football session near me

Benefits of walking football

If you’re new to sport or simply looking for a different way to stay active, walking football offers a number of physical and mental health benefits for older people. Some of these include the following:

Healthier heart

Increasing cardio activity can have a positive impact on lowering cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar while also decreasing risks of diabetes type 2.

Improves stamina

By keeping active on the pitch, you will find that your overall fitness level will increase and you will likely have more energy in your daily life because of it.

Better balance

All the extra walking around can help improve your postural balance, making you less prone to falls in your day to day life. 

Mental wellbeing

There are many psychological benefits of walking football as well, including reducing stress and anxiety.

Meeting new friends

Getting to know your community and building a camaraderie with people from a number of different backgrounds

Sense of purpose

Being part of something bigger, like a team, can be gratifying and gives you a sense of belonging to something bigger.

Rules of walking football

Wondering what the rules are for football vs walking football? While there are many similarities between the two sports, there are also a couple of rule differences you should be aware of:

  • No running, jumping or diving is allowed - you must have one foot on the ground at all times
  • Walking football is a non-contact sport (repeated contact will be penalised)
  • On that note, you cannot make any tackles from behind, otherwise your opponent will get a free kick
  • Any tackling with excessive force is not allowed, including slide tackles
  • The ball must remain below head height at all times, so no heading the ball either
  • There is no offside rule in walking football

Don’t worry if you’re not up to speed on all the rules yet. Our referees will be on hand to answer any questions and keep an eye on play during games.

What you need for walking football

Walking football is more casual than traditional football, which means that you don’t need a lot of kit to get started. 

Please make sure to wear:

  • sports top
  • sports shorts / trousers
  • socks
  • trainers

Optional extras include: shin pads, football boots, goal gloves, water bottle and towel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum age for Walking Football?

Our walking football sessions are for people aged 50 and over, however, most participants tend to be aged between 50 and 65 years old - even older in some instances!

Do you need shin pads for Walking Football?

No, you don’t need shin pads to play. However, if you already have a pair or think you’d like the extra protection, you’re more than welcome to wear them during a match.

Why is Walking Football good for old people?

Walking football is a great sport for older people because it’s played at a slower pace than other sports. The rules are also different, minimising contact and keeping things relaxed during the match.

Plus, there are a number of health benefits to playing walking football for older people. Some of these include improving balance, increasing cognitive behaviour, building muscle and improving stamina. 

How do you train for Walking Football?

By increasing your number of steps, you can help build your baseline fitness for walking football. Doing simple drills like passing, dribbling and shooting at goals can also help with your technical skills.

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