Futsal Rules

Basic Rules of the Game.

1. There are 5 players, one of which must be a goalkeeper.

2. Each team may have 7 substitutes with unlimited substitution.

3. Substitution must take place at the Substitution Zone. The player being replaced must be completely off the court before the replacement enters the court. The Referee need not be informed.

4. The team winning the toss must decide which way to run- a goal CANNOT be scored from the kick off. The ball is in play when it is touched and moves forward.

5. When the ball passes over the touchlines the game is restarted by a kick in. The ball must be stationary on the touchline and or 25cm from the line and can be kicked into play in any direction. The kicker must have both feet on the touchline or behind the touchline.

6. Goal Clearances – When the ball passes over the goal line having last been played by an attacker the game is restarted by a goal clearance. This must be done by the goalkeeper and the ball must be thrown directly out of the penalty area.

7. If the ball hits the roof a kick in is taken by the other team opposite to where the ball hit the roof.

8. Goalkeepers cannot receive the ball by hands or feet after releasing the ball from their possession unless it has been touched by the opposition. This also applies to a goal clearance. Goalkeepers must release the ball within four seconds of gaining control of the ball.  If the Goalkeeper crosses the halfway line he/she has unlimited time with it. 

9. At free kicks, kick ins, corner kicks all opponents must be 5 meters from the ball and the ball must be put into play within four seconds of taking possession of it.]

10. Fouls & Misconduct: Fouls resulting in a direct free kick are the same as outdoor soccer with the following additions:

i) Charges a opponent with the shoulder
ii) Slides in a to play the ball when it is being played or attempted to being played by a opponent except for a goalkeeper in his penalty area and he must not do it in a careless or reckless way or use excessive force.

11 Penalty mark is 6 meters and second penalty mark is 10 meters. The second penalty mark is used if a team accumulates more than five fouls in a half.

12 Accumulated Fouls

• Are those sanction by a direct free kick
• The first five fouls sanctioned by a direct free kick, in each half a recorded
• For these first 5 fouls a defensive wall may be formed by the opposing team to defend the kick.
• Beginning with the sixth foul the players of the opposing team may not form a wall to defend the kick.
• The kick is taken from the second penalty mark unless the foul occurred beyond the mark when the non offending team has the option to take the kick where the foul occurred or from the second penalty mark of 10 meters
• The player taking the kick must be identified and must kick with the intention of scoring. The ball cannot be passed to another player.
• The goalkeeper must remain in his penalty area and be 5 meters from the ball.
• All other players must remain behind an imaginary line level with the ball and parallel with the goal line. They must be five meters from the ball and may not obstruct the player taking the kick.