Futsal League Rules

Sportsmanship

Our league exists to glorify Christ through competition. Players, coaches, and spectators are expected to compete with integrity while showing respect toward opponents, officials, and one another.

Profanity, taunting, abusive language, or unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated.

Communication with the Referee

Only the team captain may respectfully speak with the referee regarding a decision or request clarification of a rule.

Players other than the captain who argue, complain, or dissent toward the referee may receive a yellow card immediately, at the referee's discretion.

Abusive, insulting, threatening, or offensive language toward any player, referee, or spectator will result in an immediate red card.

Weather Policy

Matches will be suspended or postponed if:

• Lightning is detected within 10 miles.

• Lightning is visibly observed.

• Field conditions become unsafe.

• Heat index or air quality exceeds safe playing limits.

League Directors will determine when play may safely resume.

League Authority

League rules will be reviewed before each season.

Suggestions from captains, churches, and participants are welcome.

The rulings of the League Directors are final in all league matters and disputes.

Match Rules

Match Length

• Two (2) 24-minute halves

• Five (5) minute halftime

Players

Each team fields:

• Five (5) field players

• One (1) goalkeeper

for a total of Six (6) players on the court.

A match may begin or continue only if each team has at least five (5) players available.

Officials

Matches will be officiated by one referee.

All decisions made by the referee are final.

Substitutions

Unlimited substitutions are permitted.

Substitutions may be made on the fly while play continues, provided the entering player does not enter the court until the exiting player has completely left the playing surface.

Improper substitutions may result in an indirect free kick and/or disciplinary action.

Kick-Ins

When the ball completely crosses a touchline:

• Play is restarted with a kick-in.

• The ball must be stationary on or touching the touchline.

• Opponents must remain at least 5 yards away until the ball is in play.

• The kick-in must be taken within 4 seconds once the player is ready.

A goal may not be scored directly from a kick-in.

Goal Clearances

When the attacking team last touches the ball before it completely crosses the goal line (outside the goal):

• Play is restarted with a goal clearance.

• The goalkeeper must throw the ball into play from within the smaller goal area.

• The goalkeeper may distribute the ball anywhere on the field.

League Modification: Unlike official FIFA futsal, players may pass the ball back to their goalkeeper at any time.

Goalkeeper Rules

The goalkeeper may use their hands only inside the smaller goal area.

The goalkeeper may leave the goal area and play as a field player but may not use their hands outside the smaller goal area.

A goalkeeper's throw may not travel directly into the opposing goalkeeper's goal area without first touching another player or the playing surface. Violation results in an indirect free kick for the opposing team.

Free Kicks

Direct free kicks are awarded for offenses including:

• Kicking or attempting to kick an opponent

• Tripping

• Jumping into an opponent

• Charging carelessly or recklessly

• Striking or attempting to strike

• Pushing

• Holding

• Deliberate handling of the ball (except by the goalkeeper inside the smaller goal area)

Indirect free kicks are awarded for technical offenses including:

• Dangerous play

• Obstruction

• Goalkeeper violations

• Improper substitutions

• Other technical violations as determined by the referee

Accumulated Team Fouls

Direct free kick fouls accumulate throughout each half.

Beginning with a team's sixth (6th) accumulated foul in a half, the opposing team will receive an accumulated foul kick.

Because our facility does not have official futsal markings, all accumulated foul kicks will be taken from a designated mark approximately 5 yards beyond the top of the penalty area.

Accumulated team fouls reset at halftime.

Penalty Kicks

Penalty kicks are awarded for direct free kick offenses committed by the defending team inside its own penalty area.

Because our facility does not have an official penalty mark, all penalty kicks will be taken from the top of the penalty area.

All players other than the goalkeeper and kicker must remain outside the penalty area and behind the ball until it is kicked.

Sliding

Slide tackling an opponent is prohibited.

A player may slide only if it is done safely and without making contact with or challenging an opponent.

Dangerous or reckless sliding may be penalized at the referee's discretion.

Discipline

Yellow Cards

A yellow card may be issued for:

• Unsporting behavior

• Persistent infringement

• Delaying a restart

• Failing to respect the required distance

• Improper substitutions

• Dissent toward the referee

• Entering or leaving the court improperly

Receiving two yellow cards in the same match results in a red card.

Red Cards

A red card will be issued for:

• Serious foul play

• Violent conduct

• Spitting

• Denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by a handball or foul

• Abusive, insulting, threatening, or offensive language

• Receiving two yellow cards in the same match

Any player receiving a red card is immediately ejected from the match and must leave the playing area.

• The player is sent off for the remainder of the match and cannot return.

• The team plays with one fewer player (e.g., 5 vs. 4) for:

  • 2 minutes of playing time, or

  • until the opposing team scores, whichever comes first.

• After the two minutes expire—or immediately after the opponents score during that period—the team may substitute another player. The sent-off player does not return; a substitute simply restores the team to full strength.

Direct Red Card

A player receiving a direct red card will serve a minimum four (4) game suspension.

League Directors will review every direct red card and may increase the suspension if warranted by the severity of the offense.

Red Card for Two Yellow Cards

If a player is sent off as the result of receiving two yellow cards in the same match (not a direct red card), the player will automatically serve a one (1) game suspension.

League Directors will review the incident and determine whether any additional suspension is warranted based on the nature of the offenses.

League Directors reserve the right to impose additional disciplinary action for any misconduct deemed severe, unsportsmanlike, or detrimental to the league.

League Modifications to FIFA Futsal

Except where specifically modified below, this league follows the FIFA Futsal Laws of the Game.

The following league modifications apply:

• Minimum of five (5) players is required for a match to begin or continue.

• Players are permitted to pass the ball back to their goalkeeper.

• Penalty kicks are taken from the top of the penalty area due to field markings.

• Accumulated foul kicks are taken from a designated mark approximately 5 yards beyond the top of the penalty area due to field markings.

• Matches are played outdoors and are subject to the league's Weather Policy.

• Matches are officiated by one referee.

• Only team captains may communicate with the referee regarding decisions.