Futsal

The official rules for Futsal

'The FIFA Futsal Laws of the Game’ are published by FIFA and cover all aspects of the rules that the game should be played to and the disciplinary actions that players face when they infringe on those rules.

There are 18 laws in all, ranging in focus from the technical requirements of the ball and pitch through to the exact workings of the accumulated foul rule.

Here, TheFA.com guides you through the laws, highlighting the basic principals of the game that make it different from any other versions of five-a-side that you might have played before:

The pitch
Futsal is played on a marked pitch and the ball can go out of play (see illustration for dimensions and layout of pitch).
The ball
Is a fundamental factor in making the game and is by virtue of the laws of the game required to be a smaller, heavier, ‘low bounce’ version of 11 a-side ball
Head height
There are no restrictions (apart form the ceiling of the sports hall!) as to how high the ball can be kicked in Futsal.
Rotating substitutions
Up to 12 players can be used in one match and there is no limit on how long a player must stay on or off the pitch. Players must enter and leave the field of play via the ‘substitution zone’ that is marked on the pitch in front of the team’s benches.
Kick-ins
In order to restart the game after a ball has gone out of play the ball is kicked back into play from the touchline and from corners. The ball must be placed stationary on the touchline and the feet of the player taking the kick-in must not cross the line.
The 4 second rule
For kick-ins, free kicks, goal clearances and corner kicks the player in possession of the ball has 4 seconds to restart play which the referee will count with their fingers in the air. If play isn’t restarted within four seconds an indirect free kick will be awarded to the opposing team. The goalkeeper is not allowed to control the ball for more than 4 seconds in his own half.
The 5m rule
Players are required to keep 5m from the player in possession of the ball on free kicks, corners, goal clearances, kick-ins and penalties.
Goalkeepers
Goalkeepers are allowed to come out of and players are allowed to go into the penalty area. A goal clearance must be thrown out and the goalkeeper cannot touch the ball again until it has crossed into the opponents half or a member of the opposition has touched the ball.
Accumulated fouls
Each team will be allowed to give away 5 direct free kicks in each half, then on the sixth foul a direct kick is awarded to the opposing team and the defending team is not allowed to position any players (other than the goal keeper) between the ball and the goal. The kick may be take from the 10m mark or, if the foul was committed closer to the goal than the 10m mark, then the kick may be taken from the position where the foul took place.
Real time
A Futsal match consists of two twenty minute halfs that are played real-time which means the clock stops whenever the ball goes out of play.
Time outs
Each team is allowed a one-minute time out in each half lasting 60 seconds.
Sliding Tackles
Sliding tackles are not allowed in Futsal but players ARE allowed to slide on the pitch, for example to stop the ball from going out of play. For a player sliding to be considered an offence, the tackler’s opponent must have possession of the ball. Referees will not give a foul for a slide if the opponent does not have possession of the ball.
Red Cards
If a player is sent off then the team to which the player belongs must remain with 4 players until either two minutes have passed, or the opposition have scored a goal.
In an International Futsal match there are three referees and one timekeeper, here's what they should be responsible for:

First referee
The first referee is responsible for controlling the match and has full authority to enforce the laws of the game. They will keep a record of the match and provide the appropriate authorities with a match report if required and will act as a timekeeper if one isn’t present.

Second referee
The second referee is also permitted to use his whistle to stop the game for any infringement of the laws and will ensure that the substitutions are carried out correctly.

Third referee
The third referee assists the timekeeper and the other referees by recording details of the game on the match report sheet such as times of goals, stoppages and the number of accumulated fouls. The third referee should also try to control the bench area for the two teams, only allowing the coach to stand a give instruction to the players.

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Coaching Youth Futsal

If you coach futsal (and if you don't, you should!) I'm sure you'll find the the tips below very useful. I know I did!

1.Short rosters: Teams have short roster to have more playing time. This is not the spirit of Futsal. In Futsal coaches should replace players often to get the most of their energy and coach them while they are out.
2.Excessive kicking: Futsal is not a kicking sport. It is a moving and getting close to the goal.
3.Bad transition from attack to defence and vice-versa: When your team has possession all players attack. Immediately when the ball is lost all players defend. If you have to tie your shoes ask the coach to sub you.
4.Dead zone players: Players that don’t move get in a dead zone. If a coach perceives a player in a dead zone the coach should replace the player immediately and talk to him. Either the player is tired or don’t understand the game.
5.Giving up: Do not look at the score board, a goal can be scored in 2 seconds in Futsal. If you think that your game is lost because you are loosing by 5 or 6 goals you are mistaken.
6.Not using the goalie as a 5th player when available: Use the goalie when you can. The goalie becomes the fifth player and gives an edge. If the opposing player goes after the goalie the goalie passes to the open player. If the goalie can’t pass he can kick to get rid of the ball after 4 seconds of possession.
7.Over committing on the last minute. When players see the clock on the last minute they get desperately on the attack. The odds are that they will get scored against. This tactics of over committing should be used only when the game or tournament is completely lost.
8.Marking: Futsal is dynamic and so is marking players.. A front player walking back slowly should be replaced immediately.
9.Goalie bouncing the ball to players. Goalie should roll the ball as close to the floor as possible because it is easier for the player receiving the ball to control.
10.Slow ball reposition: The fastest the ball is played after a game stop the better is for your team.
11.Distracted players: Players should have the eye on the ball as close to 100% of the time as possible.
12.Controlling the ball with the side of the feet: in Futsal the ball is controlled with the bottom of the feet.
13.Players loosing focus: There is no time in Futsal for getting upset. Getting upset with a play or the referee may cost your team dearly. If you don’t have the focus the odds are that your team will suffer.
14.Physical games: Futsal is skills; it is not a physical game. Instead of play physical players need to focus on the game.
15.Playing Futsal just to enhance skills: To benefit from Futsal you have to understand the spirit of the game.
16.Lack of movement: When attacking, players should be moving constantly. Rotation is highly desirable. When attacking, players need to be constantly looking for open space.
17.The kick start is a forward kick. Place the receiving player close enough so he can get the ball before the opponent.
18.Place the ball on the line and have your body outside of the field to restart a play after the ball goes out of the boundaries.
19.The goalie must use his hands for a goal clearance.
20. The opponent player should allow 5 yards in a kick in play.
21. When the goalie throws the ball it must hit his own court or a second player before it hits the opposing court.
22. There are no shoulder charges, slides or even play the ball when you are down allowed in Futsal.
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