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KGV futsal rules

How to play

Futsal is played with a round ball involving 2 teams of 5 players on court at any given time (4 players plus 1 goalkeeper per team).

The object of the game is to score a point by getting the ball into the opposition's goal area. The team to score the most points within the allocated time period wins the game.

Players can move the ball around the court and to teammates with any part of their body excluding their arms and hands. The nominated goalkeeper is the only player on a team who can use their hands when they are within the marked area around the team's goal. Basically, futsal is the same as soccer with the following modifications:

  • Played within a smaller area
  • There is no off-side rule
  • Kick-ins instead of throw-ins
  • No slide tackles
  • Players can only play the ball when they are standing.

General rules

  1. Players can re-enter the game as many times as they wish (known as unlimited flying substitutions) including the goalkeeper without notifying the referee, as long as the substitutions (subs) are made through the subs area marked on the court
  2. When the ball goes out of the court it is placed on the sideline and kicked infield to another player. All opposing players must be at least 3 metres from the ball. A goal cannot be scored directly from a kick-in
  3. For a ball to be out, or a goal scored, the ball has to be completely over the line
  4. Goalkeepers throw the ball from the marked goal area to restart from a goal clearance unless they saved the ball in general play. If so, they can also punt or drop-kick the ball in accordance with rule modification number 2 below
  5. The goalkeeper has a 4-second limit to control the ball unless they are in the opposition's half where they have unlimited time. A goalkeeper has 4 seconds to dispose of the ball from a goal clearance
  6. Goalkeepers cannot pick up a back-pass from any of their teammates
  7. Once a goalkeeper has released possession of the ball they may not receive it back unless it has been over the half-way line or touched by an opposing player
  8. Goalkeepers can make a flying substitution without waiting for play to be stopped
  9. There is a maximum of 12 players per team per game
  10. No slide tackling
  11. 4-second time limit for kick-ins and free kicks
  12. A player can score direct from a corner
  13. Players cannot play the ball while they are on the ground, they must be standing, except the goalkeeper who can only do so within the team's goal area.
  14. Dangerous play is not allowed.

Modifications

All rules are in accordance with the official FIFA futsal rules and the KGV competition rules and conditions except for these modifications:

  1. From a kick-off the ball must be played foward – a goal cannot be scored directly from a kick-off unless it touches any other player
  2. The goalkeeper cannot throw or punt the ball over the court's half-way line on the full, or without touching any other player
  3. There must be a minimum of 3 metres between a defensive player and a free kick or a kick-in
  4. Each team is entitled to a 30-second time-out each half
  5. If a referee's view is obstructed advantage goes to the offensive team
  6. A minimum of 3 players are required to start a game
  7. Teams are penalised 1 goal for every 3 minutes they are late or unable to field the minimum 3 players required.

Fouls and penalties

A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following offences in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force:

  • Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent
  • Trips or attempts to trip an opponent
  • Jumps at or charges at an opponent (even with the shoulder)
  • Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent
  • Slides in an attempt to play the ball, except for the goalkeeper in their own penalty area (provided play is not careless, reckless or with excessive force)
  • Handles the ball deliberately, except for the goalkeeper in their own penalty area.

The direct free kick is taken from where the foul occurred.

An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a goalkeeper commits one of the following offences:

  • After releasing the ball it is received back from a teammate without the ball going beyond the half-way line or being played or touched by an opponent
  • The goalkeeper touches or controls the ball with their hands after it has been deliberately kicked to them by a teammate, including kick-ins
  • The goalkeeper touches or controls the ball with their hands or feet in their team's half of the court for more than 4 seconds
  • If a player commits any other offence not mentioned that results in the referee stopping play to caution or dismiss that player.

A team is awarded a penalty kick from the 10-metre penalty mark for each foul after the opposing team has accumulated more than 5 fouls in a half.

Yellow and red cards

Players who receive a yellow card from a referee for dangerous play or dissent will be sent to the bench for a 5-minute cooling off period. The play can be replaced during this time.

A player who receives 2 red cards in the same game must sit out the rest of the game. The player can be replaced after 1 minute. Further suspension may occur depending on the severity of the incident.

Please note: the referee's decision is final. If you wish at any time to discuss the decision further, please consult the court supervisor.

Washouts

All teams affected by a washout will be notified of the cancellation with as much notice as possible. Affected games will be deemed a drawn game in the competition.

After 2 washed-out fixtures if the next fixture is also washed-out, each affected team will receive $40 credit for the next competition.

If a significant number of fixtures in the competition are washed-out, the competition draw may be amended.

Links

FIFA

Last updated: Friday, 24 May 2013