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Overview of Futsal Rules

PLAYERS AND GAME FORMAT

The match is played 5v5, one of whom is the goalkeeper. 

A match may start if either team has a minimum of 3 players. (One of which needs to be a keeper)

 

Roster size: 12 players max can be suited to play in a game. 

Players (including goalies) cannot be rostered on more than two teams in the same division.

 

Game Duration: Two, 22-minute halves, running clock, 3-minute halftime. No time-outs

EQUIPMENT AND SAFETY

Ball – Futsal ball of the proper size for the age playing. Size 3 for U6 thru U12, and size 4 for U13 and older. *Hillsboro Futsal will provide the game ball*

 

Uniforms – Players on the same team must wear the same color jersey or shirt.

  •  The goalkeeper’s uniform must be a distinctly different color from that of the outfield players.
  •  The home team changes color in case of conflict.
  • Shin guards are required for all players and must be entirely covered by the socks

 

Footwear – Futsal shoes, or with flat soles or rubber turf shoes (no cleats allowed)

 

Safety – Players must not use equipment or wear anything that is dangerous to himself or another player (including any jewelry or accessories).

A player wearing a cast is permitted to play with the permission of the referee. 

BASIC GAME RULES

No Walls– Ball is out when the entire ball crosses the entire line, possession changes. (Exception is for U8 and under, the players will be able to use the side walls to allow corner kicks)

 

Offsides – There is no offside in futsal

 

Substitutions – Unlimited and are done on the fly within the team’s substitution zone.

 

Goal Clearance – When the keeper saves the ball and prevents it from going out of bounds or when the ball passes over the goal line, either on the ground or in the air, having last touched a player of the attacking team, and a goal is not scored.

  • Keeper can then play it anywhere on the court.
  • Ball can be played to a teammate within the penalty area.
  • Opponents must be outside of the penalty area during a goal clearance. 

 

Ball out of play– The ball is out of play when it fully crosses any of the boundaries lines or if it hits the ceiling – If the ball hits the ceiling while in play, the game is restarted with a kick-in taken by the opponents of the team that last touched the ball. The kick-in is taken from the center of the half line. If the ball hits the ceiling by mutual player contact, the referee will issue a drop ball at the half line.

 

Dugouts- Only players and coaches are allowed in the field and dugouts.

 

Ending the Periods of Play– After hearing the referee’s whistle or the timekeeper’s acoustic signal the game is over. Unless an indirect or direct free kick has been awarded, in which case the period in question is extended until the kick has been taken.

RESTARTS

Kickoffs – Taken at the start of the game, the start of the second half, and after a goal has been scored. All players, except the player taking the kick-off, must be in their own half of the pitch. The ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves. Tapped balls are not in play – the ball must move. A goal can be scored directly from a kick-off.

 

 

Kick-ins– The ball must be placed on the line or behind the touchline and the kick must be taken within 4 seconds. If the kick-in does not enter the pitch or if the kick is not taken within 4 seconds the kick-in is taken by the opposing team. Cannot score directly from a kick-in.

 

 

Corner Kicks – are direct. The ball must be placed directly on the corner arc and the kick must be taken within 4 seconds. If the kick is not taken within 4 seconds the restart becomes a goal clearance for the opposing team. A goal can be scored directly from a corner kick.

 

 

Four Seconds on all Restarts –Restarts are kick-offs, kick-ins, corner kicks, goal clearances, free kicks. The referee visibly performs the count. Except on Kickoffs and on direct and indirect free kicks, where the count isn’t visible.

 

 

Distance on Restarts:  8 feet (On all kick-ins, corner kicks, free kicks, kick-offs, and goal clearances)

THE GOALKEEPER

  • Must wear a different color shirt.
  • He/She may wear long pants and/or other padding as deemed safe by the match referee.
  • May receive a kick-in directly.
  • May kick the ball directly over the half-way line.
  • May score directly with his/her feet during the run of play.
  • May not possess the ball for more than four seconds in his/her own half.
  • May throw the ball directly across the half-way line.
  • May not score a goal by using the hands (cannot throw or hit the ball directly into the goal)
  • May only use feet after it has been deliberately kicked to him by a team-mate (played back to goalie)
  • Cannot punt the ball

FOULS AND MISCONDUCT

Accumulated Fouls – Once a team reaches 5 accumulated fouls in a half, the sixth and all subsequent fouls in the same half are sanctioned with a direct free-kick without a wall, taken from the second penalty mark. Accumulated fouls from the first half will not carry over to the second half.

 

Indirect Free Kick – A goal can be scored only if the ball subsequently touches another player before it enters the goal.

Fouls penalized with an indirect free kick: 

  • Pass back to the Goalkeeper Rule Infringement.
  • Goalkeeper handling the ball in his own half for more than 4 seconds.
  • Goalkeeper touches the ball with their hands in the penalty area after being kicked to them by a teammate.
  • Goal clearance violation.
    for playing the ball twice by the same player on kick-ins and corner kicks.
  • Impedes an opponent
  • Sliding
  • For dangerous play and obstruction

Indirect free kicks are taken from where the infraction occurred unless it takes place in the penalty area, then it’s taken at the edge of the penalty area.

 

Direct Free Kicks – A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following offenses in a manner considered by the referees to be careless, reckless, or using excessive force:

  • Kicks or attempts to kick, jumps at an opponent
  • Charges an opponent,
  • Strikes an opponent,
  • Pushes, shoves an opponent
  • Tackles, slide tackles, trips an opponent,
  • Holds an opponent,
  • Spits at an opponent,
  • Handles the ball deliberately (except goalkeeper within their penalty area.

All the above are considered accumulated fouls, and direct free kicks are taken from where the offense occurred. 

 

Penalty Kicks:are taken from the penalty spot and must be taken by a clearly identified kicker. Defenders may not be nearer to the ball than 16 feet and even or behind the ball when the kick is taken.

 

Second Penalty Spot: 30 feet from goal-line and the center of the goal

 

Penalty Spot: 20 feet from goal-line and the center of the goal and placed at the top of the penalty area line.

 

Yellow Card / Caution– A player or substitute is cautioned if they commit any of the following offenses:

  • Unsporting behavior
  • Dissent by word or action
  • Persistent infringement of the Futsal Laws of the Game
  • Delaying the restart of play
  • Failure to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a corner kick, free kick or kick-in (defending players)
  • COVID-19 Improper wearing of a mask.

 

Red Card / send-off– The offending team plays with one less player for two full game minutes or unless scored upon before the two-minute penalty expires. The offending player serves a minimum one-match suspension. Depending upon the severity of the unacceptable conduct, a suspension for more games may be assessed. Players that receive a red card must leave the vicinity of the pitch and may be asked to leave the facility immediately. A player or substitute is sent off if they commit any of the following offenses:

  • Serious foul play
  • Violent conduct
  • Spitting at an opponent or any other person
  • Denying the opposing team, a goal or an obvious goal scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball (this does not apply to a goalkeeper within their own penalty area)
  • Denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player’s goal by an offense punishable by a free kick or a penalty kick using offensive, insulting, or abusive language and/or gestures
  • Receiving a second yellow card in the same match
  • COVID-19 Refusal to wear a mask
  • 2 Red Cards in one season will result in ban from the remainder of the season. Further action may be taken by Hillsboro Futsal

 

Games Stopped– If a game is stopped due to misconduct, there will be NO make-up game.

FORFEIT AND ABANDONED MATCHES

  • The referee will start the clock within 5 min of scheduled start time.
  • If a team does not report for a match, plays a match with an ineligible player, or if a team reports to the match with less than 3 players and it is 10 minutes past the scheduled start time, except in cases of force majeure, the team will be considered as having forfeited the match.
  • 3 points will be awarded to the opponent with the score of 3-0
  • In the case of an abandoned match where the game has started, and a team refuses to continue to play, the opponent will be awarded the win with a score of 3-0 or with the score at the time of abandonment, whichever is better.

AUTHORITY OF THE REFEREES

Each match is controlled by referees who have full authority to enforce the Futsal Laws of the Game in connection with the match to which they have been appointed.

Powers and duties:

  • Enforce Hillsboro Futsal rules and regulation
  • Ensure that any ball used meets the requirements of the game
  • Ensure that the players’ equipment meets the requirements of the rules
  • Keep a record of the match
  • Stop the match, at their discretion, for outside interference of any kind or any infringements of the Futsal rules and regulation
  • Verify player cards.
  • Take disciplinary action against players guilty of caution-able and sending-off offenses.
  • Ensure that no unauthorized persons enter the pitch
  • The decisions of the referees regarding facts connected with play, including whether a goal is scored, and the result of the match are final.

Modifications YOUTH

  • Heading is NOT permitted for youth Under 12
  • All divisions follow a seven-goal differential. If a team scores a goal increasing their lead to more than seven, it will not be counted or retroactively added. Ex: If the losing team scores another goal, the winning team needs to score again to have the goal differential reach seven again.
  • Slide tackling is allowed. As long as it is done in a safe manner and does not put other player in harm, otherwise referee may caution the player

Modifications COED

  • Maximum of two male players on the court during game play (not including goalies)
  • Coed divisions have a three-goal limit per male players.

Futsal is a lower-contact sport, but just like soccer contact will be made. Please remain under control and remember everyone has work, families, and a life to get back to after the game. Most importantly come ready to exercise and have fun!