Goalkeepers can’t use their hands and goals counting double – Inside the mad rules of KSI’s new Baller League
THE all-new Baller League is kicking off in London – with some RADICAL new football rules.
The six-a-side futsal bonanza started in Germany.
But its success has seen a UK season launched, getting underway on March 24.
YouTuber-turned-boxer KSI has been unveiled as the president of the UK version while a host of football icons, celebrities and influencers will manage teams.
The likes of John Terry, Luis Figo, Alan Shearer, Micah Richards, Gary Lineker, Jens Lehmann, Robert Pires, Freddie Ljungberg, Ian Wright, Chloe Kelly, Angry Ginge, Dave, Alisha Lehmann and Maya Jama are all managers in the tournament.
The squads, picked by a draft, include various ex-footballers, futsal players, free agents and those who came through the trials.
But this is no ordinary indoor six-a-side football – because there are some bonkers laws fans watching the action must get their heads around.
Each team has 12 players in their squad to choose from, with rolling subs.
Matches, all played at London’s Copper Box Arena and shown live on Sky Sports, are 30 minutes long – split into two halves of 15 minutes. Simple enough.
But here’s where it starts to get a bit complex.
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In the last three minutes of each half, there is a major shake-up.
That includes a random selection of various crazy “gamechangers” including a 3v3 format, long-range goals counting as double and goalkeepers not being allowed to use their hands.
Offsides are part of the rules but corners are ditched.
Instead of corners, if the ball goes off an opposing player and behind the goal three times, a penalty is awarded.
But not a regular penalty, nor even a one-step penalty often seen in small-sided football.
Nope, Baller League are throwing it back to the 1990s MLS with the old-school style of penalties.
That means players will have six seconds to take on the goalkeeper in a one-v-one and try and find the back of the net.
Furthermore, the managers receive two wildcards per game week, enabling them to sign anyone for their team for that match.
An MVP is awarded at the end of each Monday night of action, which wins their team a legend for their next game.
There are 11 matchweeks in the season – with each team playing everyone once and every side in action every night.
The top four at the end of the regular season go through to a play-off night on June 11.
Baller League managers
- Luis Figo – Trebol FC
- TBJZL – VZN FC
- Alan Shearer, Gary Lineker, Micah Richards – Deportrio
- Sharky – SDS FC
- John Terry – 26ers
- Angry Ginge – Yanited
- Jens Lehmann, Robert Pires, Freddie Ljungberg – N5 FC
- Miniminter – M7 FC
- Dave – Santan FC
- Clint 419 – FC Rules the World
- Ian Wright and Chloe Kelly – Wembley Rangers AFC
- Maya Jama and Alisha Lehmann – MVPs United