The official game of Goalball is played by two teams of three players with a maximum of three substitutions on each team. All players wear blindfolds. The court has tactile floor markings which helps players determine where they are and the goalball contains internal bells, which help players locate it during play.
The object of the game is to score a goal by bowling the ball along the floor so that it crosses the goal line of the opposing team. The defending team has to prevent the ball going in to their goal by stopping it while remaining in their team area. They must then try to control the ball and attack by bowling the ball back again thereby trying to score in the other goal.
Goalball UK is the national governing body responsible for running the sport in the UK.
To find out more, contact: Goalball UK, English Institute of Sport Sheffield, Coleridge Road, Sheffield, S9 5DA.
A quiet space or gym, a goalball court is the same size as a volleyball court. Some blindfolds, some line markers, a Goalball or Foamed Goalball that makes a noise, if you have youngsters playing it may be advisable to start with a ‘Jinglin’ Ball’. Goals can be formed from gym benches and lastly you will need some willing players.