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There are many sports that have been created in a desire for physically challenged individuals to be able to perform athletically. Among the sports one of the most notable is called power soccer. It is sometimes called power football as well, but in certain countries such as America it is denoted as power soccer due to the existence of a separate game designed around a wheelchair version of American football. The game began its existence in France during the 1970s. Over the next decade it spread throughout Europe an eventually into Canada in 1982. It was not much longer before the sport found it's way into America and even across the ocean to Japan. In the modern world power soccer is a truly world wide sport. In 2007 the first power soccer world cup was held in Tokyo, Japan. America won against France in a shootout to take home the overall victory.
The entire game is played indoors on a regulation basketball court. It is the world's first and best known team sport including power wheelchairs as a standard necessity.
The game of power soccer is played in a manner which is different from the standard form of the game. All of the participants play utilizing wheelchairs, for instance. The game is played in twenty minute rounds. Further differences include the use of only four players on the field at any given time. Two of these players will be the team goalie for each team. The other three players are the ones that must try and score against the opposing team. There are specific rules that must be followed during power soccer play. Some of these rules will vary by the league but generally they include the '2-on-1' rule and a speed limit rule.
The 2-on-1 rule stipulates that there may only be one player from each team within three meters or so from the ball. A similar rule dictates that no more than three players may be in the goal area at any given time. This means only the goalie, the defending team member, and the attacking team member. If anyone from one of the teams enters beyond this arrangement a penalty kick may be called. However, if the additional player in either scenario does not actually effect game play the referee may choose not to call a penalty. This is similar to the offside law in standard soccer.
Video Resources:
2011 Power Soccer Team USA Video
Other Websites:
United States Power Soccer Association
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