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Laws of the Game

For those who do not wish to read the entire FIFA Futsal Laws, we provide the Futsal Laws Overview, that lists only the differences between Soccer and Futsal.

For the most part, Spokane FUTSAL uses the official FIFA Futsal Laws of the Game. 

However, due to local conditions, the following modifications have been made.

• Spokane FUTSAL uses a dual referee system when possible.
• 22 minute half with running clock
• 1 one minute time out per game

The Spokane FUTSAL Game is a  table showing the differences between Soccer, FIFA Futsal and the Spokane FUTSAL game.

Below are the major differences between Soccer laws and Futsal laws.  If the law is not addressed below, you can assume that the laws of game are the same as outdoor

GENERAL RULES

• There are 4 field players and a Goal Keeper (GK)

• No off sides

• GK can only handle the ball (by feet or hands) for 4 seconds in their own half.  If they are in opponents half, they have no time-handling restrictions.

• GK cannot play by hand ANY ball played back to them including head and chest.

• Only one pass back to the GK per possession.  Unless the ball crosses the half way line or is touched by an opponent.

• 22-minute halves for league play.  1 minute for half time and each coach may call (1) one-minute time out per half when in possession of the ball.  Time out requests are made to the referee.  Players must remain on the pitch during a time out.

• Team switch sides during half time (player benches are always on the defensive half of the field)

• Substitutions - Free substitutions are made “on the fly”.  Player can only enter or leave the game in the substitution areas immediately in front of their respective benches, and a player may only enter a game after the player they are replacing has left the field.  Failure to do so results in a caution and an indirect free kick is taken from where the ball was situated when the game was stopped to caution the player.

• Kick off - Opposing players must give 3 yards until ball is in play

BALL OUT OF PLAY
 
Kick in

• A ball kicked out over the touch line (side line) by one team becomes the other teams ball. The team kicking in has 4 seconds to get the ball back in play or it becomes opponent’s kick in.  Defense must give 5 yards distance. The referee will give a visual count with his hand.  Players taking kick in can not step into the field while kicking ball back into play.

• If the ball hits the ceiling, a kick in is taken at the closest point on the nearest touchline, running parallel to the goal line

• Goals cannot be scored from kick-ins.

Goal Clearance

• Futsal for goal kick.  When the offensive team puts the ball over the end line, the other team gets the ball.  The goalie must throw the ball within 4 seconds of retrieving it and put it back into play by throwing it. 

• The throw must leave the penalty area, but it must touch the ground or be touched by another player on the GK’s half of the field (can’t throw ball past half-line).

• Opposing team must stay out of penalty area during a goal clearance.   If opposing players touches ball before it leaves penalty area, GK retakes the throw.  The GK cannot touch ball again until another player touches it.

Corner Kick

• There is no arc, kick is taken at the point where goal line and touch line meet (at corner)

FOULS AND MISCONDUCT
 
Fouls

• Slide tackling is a major foul in Futsal.  It is not allowed in any situation where there is contact between players or where referees believe that contact could have resulted.

Exceptions

• The GK is allowed to slide in an attempt to clear the ball, if in referees’ judgment; his slide is an attempt only to make contact with the ball, not the opponent.  If GK slid is reckless (a foot in air, a hook, rolling tackle) it is a foul and possibly a card-able offense. 

• A field player may slide in instances where there is not an opponent close by and no injury is likely to occur. This would most likely happen when a player is attempting to stop the ball from going out of bound or an offensive player sliding to knock the ball into the goal where the is not other defensive player close to the play.

• Players and coaches should use this general rule, if you slide tackle near a player, assume if will be called a major penalty.

6^th Accumulated foul

• Upon a team’s 6^th accumulated foul in each half, the defending team cannot build a wall to block the kick. The player taking the kick must be clearly identified and the player taking the kick must make an attempt at the goal.  All other players must remain behind the ball.

• Infringements occurring in penalty area (not deemed a PK) will be taken at the nearest point on the penalty arc.

• Infringements occurring within 12 meters of the goal will be punished with a direct kick from the spot of the infringement.

• Infringements occurring farther than 12 meters of the goal will be punished with a direct kick from the second penalty spot.

Accumulated Fouls resulting in Direct Kick

• Kicking or attempting to kick an opponent

• Tripping or attempting to trip an opponent

• Jumping at an opponent

• Charges an opponent (Shoulder Charging)

• Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent

• Pushes an opponent

• Holding an opponent

• Spits at an opponent

• Slide tackles with exceptions above

Sending Off Fouls

• Handling the ball deliberately, except for GK in their area.  Denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent moving toward the goal. Player sent off cannot re-enter the game.  Substitution is allowed after 2 minutes.

• No shoulder charging.

Indirect Free Kick

• 5 yards of distance from kicker to set up wall, and ball is in play after it has been touched.  If the kicking team takes more time than 4 seconds to take the kick, it becomes the opposition’s indirect kick.