PATTERING FEET, CHILDREN'S VOICES
BEN: I really love playing football, and maybe you do too.
But, how about playing football with a blindfold on?
Sounds difficult, right?
But don’t worry because today, we’re going to learn some of the skills that we’re going to need to play blind football.
UPBEAT MUSIC
BEN: So guys, it’s really exciting because we’ve got our blind football coach here.
England blind football legend, it’s Azeem!
AZEEM: Ben, thanks for having me. Guys, it’s lovely to meet you all.
We’re going to go over some of the basics of blind football.
A big part of that is communication.
But the special thing about blind football is…
RATTLING
AZEEM: So, the ball itself makes a very distinct rattle sound.
Are you all ready to give it a go?
CHILDREN: Yeah!
CHEERING
AZEEM: Go!
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BEN: Because blind footballers can’t see the ball, they need to use other senses, like hearing, to work out where the football is.
And that’s what we’re practising here; getting used to the sound the ball makes as it moves around the hall.
Well done, you alright?
CHEERING
AZEEM: Now, we’re going to step into the shoes of someone who can’t see, and we’re going to do that via the use of some blindfolds.
These will hopefully block out everything, so you’re solely reliant on your listening skills.
Now, we’re going to be doing it in pairs.
One person with the blindfold on, one person can be their guide.
Hand on the shoulder.
Perfect.
So, as we do this, guys, it’s really important that there’s lots and lots of talking, lots and lots of communication.
Make sure you let that person know when we’re going forward, when we're turning, when we need to stop.
And the sighted person, remember, has to go in front so they’re the one that’s guiding.
Nice and slowly, okay.
Are we ready?
Let’s go.
BEN: This exercise is all about communication.
You start with the person wearing the blindfold placing their hand on their partner’s shoulder, to gain confidence and trust in their sighted guide.
CHILDREN GIVING INSTRUCTIONS
AZEEM: Perfect. Guys, good talking.
BEN: Then, when they’re starting to feel more confident, the guide uses their voice, and the person wearing the blindfold follows that sound.
BEN: Very nice, you’re all good. One foot in front of the other.
Okay, now turn slightly, forward a little bit.
Three, four, five…
Do you want to stop and take your blindfold off?
You did so well!
CHEERING
BEN: Now we’ve worked on listening and trust, it’s time to try with a football.
AZEEM: So, what’s gonna happen now is we’re gonna try to integrate the blindfolds and the blind football.
The coach will start with the ball in their hand, and they’re gonna do a little gentle roll towards you.
You, at this point, are gonna have your blindfold on and you’re really tuning into your listening skills.
So, your feet are gonna be in a position what we call the ‘Penguin feet.’
As the ball is rolled into you, you’re gonna have a blindfold on.
You’re gonna be listening out for the call.
The coach might say, ‘A bit to the left, a bit to the right.’
Wait for the ball to come and hit you, put your foot onto it and then you’ll pass it with the side of your foot, back to the person.
RATTLING
BEN: So now, our teams need to listen for the ball coming to them, and then try to tap it back to the coach by following the sound of their voice.
RATTLING, CHILDREN TALKING
BEN: Ah, yes!
CHEERING
BEN: Next up, it’s travel time.
As everyone starts to feel confident with listening and kicking, we can add another challenge.
Dribbling with the ball.
AZEEM: So, if the coaches could take two big steps forward…
UPBEAT MUSIC, BALL RATTLING
AZEEM: Yes, excellent!
BEN: Well done.
So, this is my first proper experience of blind football.
Just doing these simple steps and activities has massively increased my confidence to know where I am when I’m wearing that blindfold, and my blind football skillset.
CHILD 1: What I really loved about playing blind football was how we got to see that even if you’re blind, you can still play football.
CHILD 2: The most important things I learned was communication and listening.
CHILD 3: I will tell my friends that it was very fun and exciting.
CHILD 4: It’s a new thing and not a lot of people play it, and it’s actually really fun.
CAMERA CLICKS
PATTERING FEET, CHILDREN'S VOICES
Watch this film with British Sign Language
Watch this film with audio description
Watch this film with British Sign Language and audio description
Ben Cajee joins Azeem Amir, England blind football player as he passes on his blind football skills.
The class enjoy picking up some blind football skills demonstrated by Azeem in these fun activities.
Skills
The skills learned in the activities are: practising listening skills, communication, teamwork and learning some simple ball control while wearing the blindfolds.
Activities
Shout Out
Listening is a really important skill in blind football. The children get used to listening out for the sound of the ball in this activity.
Trust Time
Pupils guide their classmates so they get used to moving with their blindfolds on.
Penguin Feet
Pupils practise listening and kicking the football.
Travel Time
Pupils practise moving with and dribbling the ball.
Activity card
Download and print the activity card for blind football 8-11
