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Futsal Rules

Basics

a. A total of 5 players on the court at any given time
b. In mixed competition there must be a minimum of 1 female on court at all times
c. In mixed competition female goals count as 2 goals.
d. A goal is scored when the ball passes the goal line fully.
e. When ball is out of play, goalkeeper is to throw ball into play but must stay within goalkeeper D.

Game Duration

  1. A game will consist of two 18 minute halves. Teams will change ends at half time.
  2. There will be a maximum two-minute break at half time.
  3. A game is started and finished by the referee’s whistle.
  4. Extra breaks may be authorized by the referee in some cases (e.g. heatwaves).
  5. Games may be shortened for any purpose deemed fit by the referee, but all effort will be made to play two full halves of 18 minutes.

Area of play

  1. Players may score goals from anywhere on the court including the goalkeepers “D”. 
  2. You can score directly from anywhere on the pitch.
  3. You can score directly from kick off or corner kick however cannot score directly from a kick in from the side.

Substitutions

  1. Players may substitute at any time, without notifying the referee. The substituted player must cross the sideline before the substitute enters. Players may substitute as many times as they would like, permitted they do not purposely time- waste. The referee may deny a player the ability to substitute.
  2. The referee must be notified if the goalkeeper is substituted. Failure to do so will result in a warning to the player or captain. Repeated instances will result in a yellow card to both players and/or captain, at the referee’s discretion. 
  3. Failure to substitute in the correct manner will result in a warning to the substitute. Repeated instances will result in a yellow card to the substitute, at the referee’s discretion. 
  4. Substitutions must not give an unfair advantage to one side. Substitutes must enter from as close to halfway as possible. Unfairly gaining an advantage from a substitution may result in a caution to both players involved.

Fouls

  1. Direct free kicks can be scored from without the touch of an alternate player. Indirect free kicks must be touched by an alternative player (whether opposing or not) before going in. 
  2. Quick free kicks (those taken before the whistle has been blown) are not permitted. Any attempted quick free kicks will be called back and retaken.
  3. Any form of intentionally violent conduct (examples include bad tackling, kicking, striking, tripping) are illegal and may result in a red card. Of these red card offences – any instance of kicking and striking another player will result in a red card regardless of intent. This is regardless of whether the player had control of the ball or not.
  4. Pushing from either front or behind, attempting to tackle causing an unfair advantage and tripping are yellow card offences if done with the intent of challenging for the ball (including mistimed challenges). 
  5. Deliberate handballs may result in a yellow card. 
  6. Unintentional handballs may result in a free kick. 
  7. Shirt pulling or undue aggressive play will result in a direct free kick and a warning to the aggressor. This may include a yellow card.
  8. Time wasting will be determined by the referee and will result in a warning and a free kick. Repeated instances will result in a yellow card. 
  9. Players not vacating a 5 step / 2m distance from the ball during a side ball will be warned and an indirect free kick will be awarded to the opposition, and may be given a caution. Any attempts to disrupt the play by either standing in front of the ball, or not immediately moving out of the 5 step / 2m radius are determined as time wasting. 
  10. Kicking the ball away from the designated play position after the whistle has gone will result in a yellow card for time wasting.
  11. Players who have received a red card must vacate the court immediately. 
  12. Should a red carded player abuse a referee after being sent off, the player will be suspended for more than the standard one week.
  13. Two yellow cards in one match denote a red card. 
  14. Any player who receives 3 red cards in one season will be suspended from the competition for the remainder of the season. 
  15. Comply with referees instructions at all times in regard to location of free kick and type. Failure to comply may result in a yellow card.
  16. Repeated fouling is a cautionable offence.
  17. Attempting to play the ball or impeding play whilst on the ground will result in an indirect free kick.
  18. Intentionally taunting opposition players or teammates will result in a warning. For repeat offences, a yellow card will be given.
  19. The referee may provide a yellow card for any behaviour deemed to be unsportsmanlike that does not fit into the above categories. If occurring during play, an indirect free kick will apply from where the offence occurred.
  20. Referees may apply discretion to the penalties applied for offences. 
  21. Swearing at the referee is an automatic red card offence. Dissent towards players, spectators, referees or anyone else present is not tolerated and will result in a yellow card.
  22. Foul and abusive language will not be tolerated. Any use of this language towards other players may result in a red card.

Tackling & Sliding

  1. Tackles are to be clean and with the intention of winning possession. If the referee determines that a tackle has been made without the intention of winning possession (and instead directed at the opponent), a foul will be called. 
  2. Players are not allowed to tackle from behind if in a dangerous manner. 
  3. Sliding along the floor in order to reach the ball or to tackle a player increases the risk of player injury. A slide is defined as a defensive action where both legs are parallel with the ground. The difference between a slide and a lunge is the position of the back leg – examples include if the player’s point of contact with the ground is a knee, it is a lunge. Contact made with any other body part is determined as a slide.
  4. Making contact with a player while sliding is an automatic free kick and a warning. Repeated instances will result in a yellow card. Sliding to block is not permitted.
  5. Only a goalkeeper may slide outside the goalkeeper’s area, provided he or she begins the slide inside the goalkeeper’s area. Once outside the ‘D’, a goalkeeper will be treated as an outfield player. 
  6. If a goalkeeper’s slide continues outside the D, the goalkeeper must not make contact with an opponent. 
  7. A goalkeeper’s slide must not be reckless, careless or made in a manner that uses excessive force. If a goalkeeper’s slide is determined to be any of these, it is an automatic yellow card offence. 
  8. If a tackle results in an opposing player being put at risk of injury, a foul will be called. 

Red Card Offences

  1. Swearing directly at either opposing players, officials or spectators are treated as red card offences. 
  2. Foul and abusive language is viewed as red card offences, and the offender will be asked to leave the premises immediately. Additional disciplinary action will be taken after the game’s conclusion, and may result in the subsequent exclusion of the offending player / team. 
  3. Excessive dissent is not tolerated and will be treated as a red card offence.
  4. A player who abuses opposing players, officials or spectators will not be warned, and will be asked immediately to leave the court and will not be allowed back on the court for the rest of the game. 
  5. Staff will ask spectators who use unacceptable language or abuse to leave the premises. Failure to do so will result in the game being abandoned and the offending team (or the team affiliated with said spectators) deemed to have lost on forfeit. A ban may also result. If players on another team are found to be abusive as spectators, their next match will be deemed a forfeit. 
  6. Red-carded players cannot take any further part in the game and must leave the playing area and not come back on the field. Their team will play for 2 minutes with one player short until the two minute penalty lapses.
  7. Two yellow card offences will result in a red card and the player will be sent off for the remainder of the match. 
  8. 5 yellow cards in one season will result in an automatic one-match suspension.
  9. Referees may apply discretion to the penalties applied for offences. 
  10. Swearing at the referee is an automatic red card offence. Dissent towards players, spectators, referees or anyone else present is not tolerated and will result in a yellow card.
  11. Foul and abusive language will not be tolerated. Any use of this language towards other players may result in a red card.

Officials

  1. The match referee is responsible for all events on and surrounding a court between the end of one game and the start of another. Comply with all directions provided from referees and venue managers. 
  2. Swearing at the referee is an automatic red card offence. Dissent towards players, spectators, referees or anyone else present is not tolerated and will result in a yellow card.
  3. If a player persists in abusive behaviour after being asked to leave the court, the player will be asked to leave the premises. 
  4. Referees may apply discretion to the penalties applied for offences. 
  5. Any queries that players may have about rules and their interpretations are to be raised with the referee only at half time or full time. This must be done politely and respectfully.
  6. During the course of play, a referee’s decision is final. 

Advantage

  1. There is no time frame for the playing of an advantage- the advantage applies until a new passage of play has applied.
  2. Players can still be penalised for fouls after advantage has been called. This is done after the play has finished, and is at the referee’s discretion.
  3. If the fouled player’s ability to either retain possession or continue play is hindered within this time frame, the foul will be called. If the fouled player is able to continue play to a reasonable extent (i.e. passing to a teammate, retaining possession or shooting), the advantage will not be called. This is to the referee’s discretion. 
  4. Once the referee has blown the whistle, no advantage can be awarded.

Out of Play

  1. When the ball goes out of the court, a player must kick the ball back into play, by placing the ball on the sideline. 
  2. Failure to place the ball on the sideline will result in an initial warning and a retake. Repeated instances will result in a turnover of possession to the other team. This is at the discretion of the referee.
  3. A player has 4 seconds to kick the ball back into the court. Failure to do so will result in a turn over kick to the opposition. 
  4. Kick ins must be taken from as close to where the ball went out as possible. This is at the discretion of the referee. Follow all directions given by the referee.

Penalties

  1. There are two penalty spots. One is at close range, around 1 metre from the goalkeeper’s area (also known as the ‘D’) and is generally awarded if a foul is committed in the keepers ‘D’. 
  2. In a mixed game where the goalkeeper is female, only a female player may take the penalty shot. 
  3. No restrictions apply for run ups for any penalties.
  4. For games where fouls are counted, there will be a second spot marked a further one metre from the permanent penalty spot. This will be used for penalties as a result of the five foul rule.

Goalkeepers and the ‘D’

  1. In order for the goalkeeper to handle the ball, the ball must be inside the goalkeeper’s ‘D’. So long as the ball is inside the ‘D’, the goalkeepers body position is irrelevant. Should the ball leave the ‘D’ whilst still inside the goalkeepers hands, an indirect freekick will be given from the location of where the offence occurred.
  2. The goalkeeper cannot kick the ball from his or her hands nor may he or she dropkick the ball from a stoppage. This will result in a free kick outside the ‘D’. Goalkeepers are able to drop the ball outside of the area and run with the ball. 
  3. The goalkeeper has 4 seconds to get rid of the ball from the goalkeeper’s area. Failure to do so will result in an indirect free kick on the closest part of the ‘D’. This is a cautionable offence.
  4. The goalkeeper, once outside the ‘D’,will be treated as an outfield player. 
  5. Goalkeepers are unable to score directly from keeper throws. Throws must be touched by another player before they enter either goal for a goal to stand. If not touched by another player, either a keeper throw for the opposing team or a corner for the opposing team will apply.
  6. Failure to allow the keeper to release the ball is a cautionable offence.

2 Touch Rule

Once the goalkeeper has released the ball, the ball cannot be played back to the keeper unless the ball has been touched by an opposing player. If this is not followed, it will result in an indirect freekick from where the goal keeper touched the ball.

Scoring System

Points for the preliminary matches will be a follows: 

  • Win: 3 points
  • Draw: 2 points
  • Loss: 1 point
  • Forfeit: 0 points (opposing team will win 4 – 0)
  • Bye: 0 points for all comps

In mixed competition, female goals scored count for 2 goals. If a male player takes a shot at goal and is deflected off a female player on the same team, the referee will judge as to whether the ball was on target resulting in 1 goal or, off target deflecting in off a female resulting in 2 goals. 

Finals

  1. In finals except for the Grand Final, if there is a draw at full time, the team that is ontop on the ladder will go through automatically. If Grand Final, teams will go straight to penalty shootout (BEST OF 5).
  2. Players cannot be borrowed for a finals series. The referee/venue manager reserves the right to allow or deny any player.

Time Wasting

  1. When a ball is out of play the defending team must not interfere in any way to delay the restart of play. Interference includes obstructing the player from getting the ball or kicking the ball away. Failure to adhere to this rule will result in a warning and a retaking. Repeated instances will result in a yellow card. 
  2. The defending team is not obligated to retrieve the ball for their opponent however, if they pick up or gain possession of the ball, they must pass the ball directly to their opponent. Failure to adhere to this rule will result in a warning and a retaking. Repeated instances will result in a yellow card. 
  3. When the ball is out of play, the team in possession must make a reasonable attempt to restart play as soon as possible. Failing to do so will result in the referee beginning the six second count to restart play. 
  4. Coaches and officials who interfere with play will be asked to leave the court without warning.

Uniform

  1. Shin pads must be worn by ALL players.
  2. No jewellery is to be worn. Necklaces are not allowed. It is up to the referee’s discretion if exceptions are to be made.
  3. The recommended shoes to wear are flat-soled futsal or turf boots. If players are wearing boots that either have studs or have had studs removed, they will not be able to play. Any form of soft-soled runners or sneakers are acceptable. Players are not allowed to play without enclosed shoes.
  4. Watches, fit bits or other similar devices are not allowed.
  5. Any other item that may pose an injury risk to players, spectators or referees is not allowed. Players who refuse to comply with these directions will be excluded from the game. 

Suspension System

  1. Any player who receives 3 red cards in one season will be suspended from the competition for the remainder of the season. 
  2. Any player who receives a red card may be suspended from playing for any period of time determined by the venue manager. This could vary from 1 week to a life ban.
  3. A red card does not automatically result in a suspension. The penalty applied will vary depending on the severity of the offence, mitigating/aggravating factors. Referees will have a say on the outcome.