Lots of discussions elsewhere (as always) about how to combat running and physicality within walking football. One method used is the totting up of team fouls/runs which result in the award of a penalty. This is used at varying venues around the country and also in varying formats. Some venues just tot up team runs others include fouls in the process as well. I have played and refereed at venues that use such methods. My personal thoughts are still very unsure about it. I think I am leaning towards the award of a penalty for an accumulation of team runs as this has the potential to change a teams mindset and not just sub players on 2 warnings and fetch on another player with a clean sheet as it were. I’m less happy with including fouls within the count. I base this on my experience as a referee using the method and on a number of occasions awarding a penalty following the totting up procedure when the foul was just an innocuous one at the attacking end of the pitch, it just didn’t feel right. The laws currently allow us to deal with fouls and provide sanctions that are suitable in my opinion. Others are suggesting that the referee will have some discretion as to the type of foul that’s included in the totting up procedure but if that’s the case then surely using the current sanctions should be enough, blue card for a player persistently offending at a low level (careless challenges) blue card for reckless tackles , red card for tackles using excessive force. Be interested to hear the views of others regarding their experiences at venues that have such local laws in place.