Rhys Stephenson: I love playing footy. And this is a special type of football. It's used by footballers that play…
Students: BLIND FOOTBALL!
Rhys Stephenson: Blind football is five-a-side football for people who are visually impaired or blind. The aim of the game is simple to score more goals than the other team. And a big part of doing that is being able to and move. Which is what we're trying out here. and move involves using that special football and also a blindfold. For this activity, we're split into different groups and everyone is doing a different job, whilst also being super loud.
Manchester United Foundation Coach: Excellent.
Rhys Stephenson: First we have the feeders. They the ball to the players who wear a blindfold. Next, the players control the ball and it back to the feeders.
Manchester United Foundation Coach: Can you it back?
Rhys Stephenson: And last are the guides. It's their job to guide the player to another feeder. It's important to ask the player if they'd like to be guided by the elbow or their shoulder. When the player goes to the next feeder, the whole process starts again and repeats until the coach blows the whistle and says stop.
Manchester United Foundation Coach: (Whistle blows) And stop.
Rhys Stephenson: By making sure that everyone is active from the very start of the lesson, the coach has introduced a very inclusive approach.
Manchester United Foundation Coach: What we're going to do now is we're just going to change just the roles so everybody can have a feel and get used to what we're doing. Okay?
Rhys Stephenson: That's great for inclusivity and equal opportunities.
So it's my turn to be the player. And I've got to rely on my guide to take me to where I need to go. Where to? Left? Okay. All right. Here we go.
If someone's finding their role a bit tricky. The coach can adapt the activity so that the player can still succeed. And if the player is finding it easy, then the activity can be changed to make it more challenging.
Manchester United Foundation Coach: So we want to go faster, but still looking to have control of the football as well. (Whistle blows) Off we go!
Forward, forward, forward…Now!
Rhys Stephenson: is really important. But instead of a quick 'well done or unlucky', it's much better to have an explanation of why. What was it about the player's performance that was good? Or could it be improved?
In any school class, the children will have a mix of physical, social and emotional needs and these all affect how the PE lesson runs.It's important to consider everyone's needs while ensuring that all students remain engaged and active together.
Manchester United Foundation Coach: (Whistle blows) And stop!
Rhys Stephenson: Oh, that was brilliant. But what did our young footballers think of their inclusive blind football PE lesson?
Child 1: It's really tricky because when your partner is walking and you hear anybody else, but not your partner.
Child 2: Feels grateful for this opportunity because not many people get to do this.
Child 3: It's really, really fun. But it's also like really difficult.
Watch this film with British Sign Language
Watch this film with audio description
Watch this film with British Sign Language and audio description
Rhys Stephenson s Manchester United Foundation coaches as they hold an inclusive sports session on blind football with a primary school class.
This film is designed to complement the existing child-facing blind football films and resources, and showcases ways in which teachers can make blind football lessons as inclusive as possible.
Everyone on the go
The aim of the session is to ensure all children are 'on the go' at the same time and no child is left out or waiting their turn. The children work in small groups to learn the various skills needed to play blind football.
This lesson format is one that teachers and pupils can build up to as children develop their skills and confidence.
This film can be used as inspiration for how to structure an inclusive sports session and introduce blind football as a sports activity. The same principles can be applied to lessons on the other Super Movers for Every Body sports, boccia and Para athletics.
Activity cards
Activity card: blind football 5-7. document
and print the activity card for blind football 5-7
Activity card: blind football 8-11. document
and print the activity card for blind football 8-11
Poster: blind football. document
and print the poster for blind football
