Game Rules

1. Playing Surface: Games are played on artificial turf.

2. Goal Area: The goal area is a half circle with a radius of 2 meters (2.2 yards), measured from the inside of each goalpost. Defending players are not allowed inside the goal area. There are no GK’s.

3. Field Markings: A center mark/penalty spot is located in the center of the halfway line.

4. Team Composition:

• A match is played between two teams of 4v4.
• Each team consists of 4 players plus team substitutes.
• Matches can be played with fewer than 4 players if necessary (e.g., due to injury, illness).

Player Equipment

5. Uniforms:

• All players must wear bib or uniforms, matching their teammates.
• Appropriate footwear is required. Turf shoes or flats. NO CLEATS.

The Referee

6. Referee Role:

• One referee per match on the field.
• The referee’s decisions regarding play are final.

Game Procedures

7. Goal Kick:

• Awarded when the ball passes above the boards off an attacking player.
• Taken from any point in front of the boards next to the goal.
• The kicker cannot play the ball again until it has touched another player.
• Opponents must remain in their own half.
• A goal can be scored directly from a goal kick.

8. Kick-in:

• Awarded to the opposite team when the ball goes above the boards and hits the net.
• Taken from the point in front of the board where the ball left the field.
• Opponents must be no less than 2 yards away from the kick-in point.
• The kicker cannot play the ball again until it has touched another player.
• A goal cannot be scored directly from a kick-in.

9. Corner Kick:

• Awarded when the ball passes over the goal line and above the board off a defending player.
• Taken from the nearest corner to where the ball crossed the goal line.
• Opponents must be at least 2 yard away from the corner.
• The ball must be kicked by a player of the attacking team.

Fouls and Misconduct

10. Free Kicks: 

Awarded for the following offenses:

THERE IS NO SLIDE TACKLING.

• Kicking or attempting to kick an opponent.
• Jumping at an opponent.
• Striking or attempting to strike an opponent.
• Pushing an opponent.
• Sliding tackles.
• Tripping or attempting to trip an opponent.
• Holding an opponent.
• Spitting at an opponent.
• Deliberately handling the ball.
• Player having both hands on the sideboard.

Disciplinary Sanctions

11. Yellow Card:

• Caution communicated for unsporting behaviour, dissent, persistent infringement, delaying play, not respecting distance at restarts, and deliberately kicking the ball out of bounds.

12. Red Card:

• Sent off for serious foul play, violent conduct, spitting, denying a goal or goal-scoring opportunity by handling, denying a goal-scoring opportunity by a foul, offensive language or gestures, or receiving a second yellow.
• Results in a goal against the team of the offending player. The player must leave the pitch and the game resumes with a kick-off.
• A post-final whistle red card results in a 2-game suspension.
• The Tournament Director can disqualify teams or individuals for severe offences.

Free Kicks

13. Free Kick Procedure:

• Taken from where the offence occurred.
• The ball must be stationary and the kicker cannot touch it again until another player does.
• A direct goal from a free kick is valid.
• A direct own goal from a free kick results in a corner for the opposing team.
• Opponents must be at least 2 yards away.
• The ball is in play once kicked and moved.
• Retake the free kick for any infringement.
• Free kicks can be taken without the referee’s signal, except after significant interruptions.

The Penalty Kick

14. Penalty Kick:

• Executed from the center mark with no goalkeeper.
• All players must be behind the penalty taker.
• The ball must be stationary and not touched again by the kicker until another player does.
• Retake for any infringement during the penalty kick.

The Ball In and Out of Play – Above Boards

15. Ball Out of Play:

• The ball is out of play when it hits any of the netting above the boards.
• Once out of play, the referee will determine a free kick closest to the point that it was out deemed out of bounds.

Health and Safety

16. Health and Safety Policy:

• The health and safety of all individuals within the playing area is of utmost importance to Futsal631.
• In the event of any threatening circumstance (e.g., pitch invasions, facility emergencies, acts of God), players and officials must immediately leave the field in a safe and orderly manner.
• They should relocate to a secure area until the threat is satisfactorily resolved.
• This decision will be made in consultation with the organiser, match referee, head of the relevant ground authority, head of ground security, and/or police as required.

Code of Conduct

17. Player Conduct:

• All players must observe the conduct standards of the event and behave professionally and respectfully.
• Serious misconduct may lead to the expulsion of the entire team from the tournament.
• Decisions on misconduct are at the discretion of the tournament director.