“Lack of sight does not equal lack of talent, dreams or desire.” The motto of the USA Goalball organization says it all. Quickly becoming one of the more popular pastimes of the blind and visually impaired, Goalball is a blend of soccer and dodgeball that all ages can play, no matter the skill level.
The idea is simple, keep the three-pound Goalball out of the goal. The ball, similar to heavy basketballs, are outfitted with bells so the players can hear it and capable of traveling at speeds of up to 50 mph. The players must keep the balls out of the goals no matter what. (Don’t worry; they are padded up from head to toe.) In order to keep everyone on the same playing field, no pun intended, the players wear blacked out ski goggles. Because the players may have different levels of vision or no vision at all, the goggles keep everything fair.
The games are three-on-three, played anywhere from high-school gyms all the way to the Paralymic ‘Team USA’ level internationally. Players are usually squatting or kneeling, always ready to dive for the ball at a moment’s notice, for two ten-minute halves. Referees begin the game and make calls of either out or fair. Whoever has the most goals at the end, wins. In a typical tournament, there are usually several games.
During the summer 2012 Paralympic games, Goalball will be taking center stage. The USA Goalball team consists of 12 players from all over the country with varying degrees of sight. However, Goalball is not the only sport to be featured at the paralymics. Many other sports deserve due credit such as, swimming, track and field and Judo, its newest edition.
Want to know more? Check out this video from the United States Association of Blind Athletes.
Story of the United States Association of Blind Athletes
If you are a blind or low vision athlete just looking for specialized equipment, check out this site. From footballs to bowling balls, this sports, games and recreation site is a useful point of reference.
The point is if you are a blind athlete, you have the power to control your blindness, not the other way around. Get out there! What are you waiting for?