Rules of the Game
The following guide covers the basic rules of the game of futsal. For more detailed information, please refer to the official FIFA Futsal Laws of the Game.
- Team Composition: Each team consists of 5 players, including one goalkeeper.
- Substitutions: Teams may have up to 7 substitutes with unlimited substitutions.
- Substitution Procedure: Substitutions must occur at the designated Substitution Zone. The exiting player must be completely off the court before the replacement enters. Informing the referee is not required.
- Kick-Off: The team winning the toss decides the direction of play. A goal can now be scored directly from the kick-off. The ball is in play when touched either forward or backward.
- Kick-In: When the ball crosses the touchline, play restarts with a kick-in. The ball must be stationary on the touchline and can be kicked in any direction. Players' feet may now be on the court.Note: Rules 4 and 5 have been updated from previous versions.
- Goal Clearances: If the ball crosses the goal line last touched by an attacker, play restarts with a goal clearance (goal throw) by the goalkeeper. The ball must be thrown directly out of the penalty area. For Juniors (U6 to U16), the ball must not be thrown over halfway on the full. In general play, the goalkeeper may throw over halfway or punt the ball.
- Ceiling Contact: If the ball hits the roof, a kick-in is awarded to the opposing team, taken opposite to where the ball made contact.
- Back-Pass Rule: Goalkeepers cannot handle or play the ball with their feet after releasing it from possession unless it has been touched by an opponent or gone out of play. This also applies to goal clearances. Goalkeepers must release the ball within four seconds of gaining control. If the goalkeeper crosses the halfway line, there is no time restriction.
- Set Pieces: For free kicks, kick-ins, and corner kicks, opponents must be 5 meters from the ball. The ball must be played within four seconds of taking possession. For kick-offs, opponents must be 3 meters from the ball.
- Fouls & Misconduct: Fouls resulting in a direct free kick are similar to outdoor soccer, with the following additions:
- Charging an opponent with the shoulder.
- Sliding to play the ball when it is being played or attempted by an opponent, except for a goalkeeper in their penalty area, provided it is not done carelessly, recklessly, or with excessive force.
- Penalty Marks: The primary penalty mark is at 6 meters, and the second penalty mark is at 10 meters. The second mark is used if a team accumulates more than five fouls in a half.
- Accumulated Fouls:
- These are fouls sanctioned by a direct free kick.
- The first five such fouls in each half are recorded.
- For these first five fouls, a defensive wall may be formed.
- Beginning with the sixth foul, opponents may not form a wall.
- The kick is taken from the second penalty mark unless the foul occurred beyond it, in which case the non-offending team can choose to take the kick where the foul occurred or from the second penalty mark.
- The identified player must attempt to score directly; passing is not allowed.
- The goalkeeper must remain in their penalty area, 5 meters from the ball.
- All other players must stay behind an imaginary line level with the ball and parallel to the goal line, 5 meters from the ball, without obstructing the kicker.