Can I head the ball, slide tackle or play the ball while on the ground?
Rule- England
- England Football
- Walking football
- FA Walking Football Laws
- February 2025 laws
- 2025
- Players
- All ages
No. Under Law 12 of The FA's Walking Football Laws (February 2025), each of these gives the other team an indirect free kick:
- heading the ball
- sliding to play the ball when an opponent is playing or trying to play it (a sliding tackle)
- playing the ball while on the floor
Other offences that also give an indirect free kick include:
- holding an opponent
- deliberately handling the ball, or handling it when your hand or arm has made your body unnaturally bigger
- scoring directly from your hand or arm, even accidentally
- playing in a dangerous manner
- impeding an opponent without contact
- preventing the goalkeeper from releasing the ball
- throwing or kicking an object at the ball, an opponent or an official
- where there are barriers, holding the barrier to shield the ball (holding it to keep your balance is allowed)
Added 21 Oct 2026