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Football 7-a-side

 
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There are two football events at the Paralympic Games: 5-a-side and 7-a-side. 7-a-side football is played by athletes with cerebral palsy. The rules are very similar to 11-a-side football, with some modifications. Have you ever seen a game of 7-a-side Football?

Instructions & downloads

To understand this sport better, first look at the illustration and read about the rules and classification system. Then do the vocabulary exercise. The second reading exercise looks at how Football 7-a-side can benefit the players.

Download the Worksheet to do the activity offline.

Teachers: the lesson plan is coming soon. Meanwhile why not check out the other sports lesson plans available from the English for the Games section of the Teaching English website?

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Rules

Rules and Classification

What is it?

7-a-side football is basically the same as 11-a-side football, but with rules adapted for athletes with a disability.

Who can participate in 7-a-side football at the Paralympics?

7-a-side football is open to athletes with cerebral palsy.

Classification

Classes 5, 6, 7 and 8: class 5 is for athletes with the most severe disabilities, progressing to class 8 for the least disabled.

  • All classes comprise ambulant athletes
  • Teams must include at least one athlete from either class 5 or 6.
     
How is it played?

Modifications to the rules include:

  • Each team consists of seven players;
  • The playing field is smaller, as are the goals;
  • There is no offside rule;
  • Throw-ins may be made with one hand only;
  • Each half lasts 30 minutes.

 

Exercise

Text

Practice makes perfect

1. Introduction

Millions of people around the world know that football can be very enjoyable to play or to watch. Perhaps you are one of them?  However,  did you know that that playing football can have huge benefits for people with cerebral palsy? Players and officials agree that participating in 7 a-side football can have two very positive outcomes. It can contribute towards rehabilitating the disability itself and it can also help the athlete’s integration into society.

2. Johannes Siikonen

Johannes Siikonen, who captained the Finnish 7-a-side team, commented that playing football increases physical fitness by strengthening muscles “all round your body”. He talked about cases of players who “are now able to run … (where) … they hadn’t been able to do it before”.

3. Valeire Suskevic

Valeire Suskevic, President of the Ukraine Paralympic Association, also described benefits for people with cerebral palsy. He said that there are many examples where, after playing football, players’ “spirit and muscles became much stronger” and this helped them “get adapted … and be able to lead a normal life within society.”

4. Luke Evans

Irish player Luke Evans agreed: “It obviously helps with the physical attributes, but at the same time it makes you more determined, more committed. I think it’s essential to have a sport in your life, because it does help with your attitude and how you look upon things.”

 

Task 1

Exercise

Task 2

Exercise

Discussion

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