Blind Soccer

Here's Blind Soccer

In blind soccer, there are five on each side, a goalie and four outfield players. The goalie can be sighted or visually impaired and must stay in his designated goalie box. His teammates, meanwhile, wear eye shields so as to take away any competitive advantage from those players that may have limited vision over those who have no sight whatsoever.

There are no throw-ins, as there is a wall surrounding the shrunken (at least, by typical soccer standards) playing field, and each team has someone calling out instructions from behind one of the goals. The players can call each other either by name or by shouting "Yeah!" And when you're approaching to engage another player to steal the ball, you must shout "Voy!" -- Spanish for I'm here! That means that you've got to discern the voice of your teammates -- since everyone on the pitch is yelling "Yeah!" -- and have a sense of where you are with the ball (which contains ball bearings, to help with tactility on the foot) in relation to the goal.

These guys have some serious skills and play better than many players with 20/20.

I had the privilege of watching such a game up close and I was amazed by their skill. In that game the ball had some pebbles inside of it, making some sort of noise to help the players know where it was through hearing.

I have never heard of anything like it, but I would go and watch to support those guys. A true inspiration...

Absolutely incredible skills - they are all amazing.

Absolutely amazing, what dedication and inspiration.

I had the privilege of watching such a game up close and I was amazed by their skill. In that game the ball had some pebbles inside of it, making some sort of noise to help the players know where it was through hearing.

You're right, there's something in a ball that makes sound and makes it a bit easier for coordination. I even saw some famous football players trying it out, and it is very difficult game to play.

I am still thinking about this one, and am so overwhelmed... They are really trying hard, and they are a living proof that anything is possible.