Futsal Rules and Mechanics The Pitch and Ball

Futsal Rules and Mechanics

The Pitch and Ball • Follow the main basketball court extended out to the gray lines on the sides. • Keeper’s box is the blue three point line and the penalty kick line is the free-throw line. • We use a regulation futsal ball.

Players and Substitutions • Each team consists of 5 players – 4 Players and 1 Keeper • Futsal uses “on the fly” substitutions – The players at any point can switch with a teammate presuming that the both enter and exit in the area in front of their bench. – No team at any point should have 6 people on the court

Player Equipment • Standard Equipment – Shorts (keeper can wear pants) – Shirt/Jersey (keeper has to wear different color from team – Socks – Shin-guards (need to be covered by socks) – Court friendly shoes (tennis shoes) – Goal keeper gloves are ok • Illegal equipment – Jewelry (earrings, watch, wristbands, etc. )

Timing and Periods • Two 20 min halves • Each team gets a single one minute timeout per half – If unused it does not roll over – Can be called anytime but only awarded when the team has possession – Same players who were on the court when the timeout was called must return

Starting a game • Kickoff is determined by the coin toss • Kickoff happens at center of the court – Players can score off the kickoff – Everyone starts on their own half – All but 2 players of the kickoff team must be outside the center circle – Players must kick the ball forward to start the game • Drop ball used to restart a game after being stopped with no other result (official’s stoppage, injury, double penalty)

The Drop Ball • Awarded when we have a stoppage with no other starting position • Includes one player from both teams • The players are opposite each other facing the official in the middle • The ball is dropped between the two players • The ball may not be touched by the players until it has touched the ground at which point the ball becomes live and either player can make a play on the ball

In and Out of Bounds • Ball is out of bounds or in the goal when the entire ball crosses the line • Otherwise it is still in bounds – Even after bouncing off the goal • If needed blow the whistle to get the player’s attention – Most of the time they already know or verbal conformation and will allow it to be played correctly • Out of bounds on the sidelines is a kick-in • Out of bounds on the end lines is a goal clearance (can roll) by the keeper – Cannot cross the center line

Kick-In • Awarded to the opposite team from who touched it last when the ball goes out on the sideline • Given on the area of the sideline closest to where it went out • Goal cannot be scored directly from a kick-in • Ball should be kicked in within 4 seconds • Ball must be still when kicking it • Kicker must keep both feet on or behind side line • Kicker cannot touch it a second time before it is touched by another player • Defenders must be at least 5 meters away

Goal Clearance • Awarded to the keeper when the offence kicks it out on the end line • Cannot score from a goal clearance • Keeper must throw/roll the ball to another player from anywhere in the penalty area • Other team must remain outside the penalty area • Keeper can’t touch it a second time before another player • Keeper cannot throw the ball over the half court line must play it to his own side of the court

Corner Kick • Awarded to the offensive team when the defense kicks it out on their end line • Can score directly • Ball placed in the corner and offence plays it in from there • Opponents must be at least 5 meters away • After kicking it in the player cannot touch it again until another plays it

Scoring & Winning • Goal is scored when the entire ball crosses the line within the net without a penalty happening before • The team with the highest score at the end of regulation wins

Fouls – Direct Kick • Fouls resulting in a direct kick included – Tripping – Kicking – Charges – Strike or attempt to strike a player – Pushing – Holding – Slide tackle – Deliberately uses his hands • Enforce from the spot of the foul

Fouls – Indirect Kick • Indirect kick fouls include – Keeper fouls • Pick the ball up after it being played to him from any teammate at anytime • Possess the ball for longer than 4 seconds on his side of the court – Other players • Plays in a dangerous manner • Impedes the player by playing the player and not the ball • Prevents the goal keeper from releasing the ball • Any other situations not already covered

Yellow Cards • Unsporting conduct • Dissent • Persistent breaking of the rules • Delays the restart of the game • Fails to respect the distance needed for players to put the ball in • Entering and leaving the field incorrectly or without the officials approval • Result: Indirect free kick from location of the foul. If committed in the penalty box then moved to edge

Red Card • Serious foul play • Violent conduct • Spitting • Purposely denies a team a goal or goal scoring opportunity • Deliberately uses their hands (if not the keeper) • Uses foul language • Receives a second yellow card • Result: Same enforcement as a yellow card except the player may not return and the team must play a man down for 2 minutes or until the other team scores

Free Kicks • All free kicks – Ball must be still when kick taken – Player cannot touch it a 2 nd time before another player touches it – All players not taking the kick must be at least 5 meters away • Direct Kick – Can score a goal directly • Indirect Kick – Must touch another player before going in

Penalty Kick • Ball – Placed on the line • Shooter is properly identified • Keeper – Must remain on his line, facing the player, between the goal posts until the ball is kicked • Other players – Must remain on the court and outside the penalty area

Overtime and Penalty Kick Mechanics • Overtime − One 5 minute golden goal − Penalty Kicks if still tied • One goal chosen by official • Captain’s meeting to determine order • 5 kickers per team • Alternate shooting • Most at end wins if tied then keep going until someone ahead for same shots • Have to go completely through their roster before repeating a player (including keeper) • Players sent off during the game can’t shoot