RULES OF INDOOR SOCCER – FUTSAL

The following represents the basic rulings (FIFA International Rules) that are implemented in our competitions, accompanied with a number of our house rules.

Team Size

• Teams must consist of at least 5 registered players
• There must be at least 3 on the court to begin a match
• Mixed teams must have a minimum of 2 female players on the court at all times

Match Duration

• Pool matches consist of 2 x 18 minute halves
• Finals consist of 2 x 18 minute halves
• In finals, extra time will include 3 minutes with golden goal rule applying
• If still tied after extra time, penalty shootout will occur. Penalties will be taken from the end of the keepers boundary (semi-circle area)
• Season consists of 16-20 weeks duration plus 2 weeks of Finals play offs

Court Boundaries

• The field dimensions are between 25 meters and 42 meters in length and 15 meters and 25 meters in width
• Keepers boundaries consist of the Netball goal area

Kick Off

• The attacking team must start with the ball at the half way (on the white line) and kick it forward (over the half way line) to begin the game
• The defending team must be behind the first line on a kick off

Goal Keeper

• Goal keeper may not handle the ball outside the semi-circle
• Goal throws must be taken from inside the semi-circle and must leave the semi-circle before it is touched by another player. Failure to do this will result in a free kick
• The goalkeeper is the only player who may slide in order to save the ball (providing he/she does not use excessive force)
• The goalkeeper can throw the ball over the half way line on the full
• A 'goalie ball' must be thrown in to play. The exception to this rule is if the ball has been a caught save, it can be drop-kicked back into play

Scoring Goals

• A goal is scored when the ball entirely crosses the line and is not from an ‘in-direct’ free kick
• If the goalkeeper throw the cross the opposition goal line without being touched by another player, this is not deemed a goal
• Goals cannot be scored directly from a side kick-in. The ball must be touched by another player

Interchange

• Unlimited interchange can occur in a break of play
• During interchange the player coming off must be off the court before the replacement comes on. Failure to do so can result in an indirect free kick
  

In-Direct Free Kicks

• When the ball leaves the boundaries an in-direct free kick results for the opposing team
• Defenders must be at least 5 m away from the kick occurs. Failure to do this will result in a direct free kick to the opposing team from where the infraction occurred
• A goal may only be scored from an in-direct free kick if it has been touched by another player
• If a goal is scored from an indirect-free kick, without touching another player, a goal kick will result
• Any infringement (besides intentional fouls) outside the goal keepers circle will result in an in-direct free kick

Direct Free Kick

• A direct free kick will be awarded for nay infringement inside the goal keepers circle or any intentional foul on the court
• A goal can be scored from a direct free kick without being touched by another player
  It should be noted that there is a 4 second time limit on Kick-ins, corner kicks, Free kicks and
• Goalkeeper clearance.

Infringements

A direct free kick will be given for:

• Slide tackling (the goalkeeper is the only player who may slide in order to save the ball)
• Tripping
• Pushing
• Deliberate handball
• Holding
• Rough Play
• Tackling from behind

An in-direct free kick will be given for:

• Technical infringements
• Playing at the ball from the ground
• Not playing the ball from where the in-direct free kick is awarded
• When the player kicks the balls into the roof or any obstruction, the opposing team will receive an in-direct free kick

Penalties

• Penalties will be taken from the centre of the goalkeeper's boundary
• Team must nominate who is taking the penalty
• No other players can enter the goalkeeper's circle until the ball has been kicked
  

Referees

One referee will be assigned per game

• Referees discretion on call will be final and any misconduct on decisions can result in being asked to leave the court
  

No Fight Policy

• Any abuse or gross misconduct directed at referees or other players will result in exclusion from the game and possible suspension of the team from the competition. Any team excluded from the competition forfeits their last game bond

Yellow and Red Cards

• A yellow card will serve as a warning and be given to a player that deliberate shows a lack of the above rules. Two yellow cards will result in a Red Card.
• A red card will result in an immediate suspension from the game. A red card will also be given to a player who uses abusive language

Cooling Off

• If a player becomes too aggressive on court, at the referee’s discretion and in lieu of a red or yellow card, he or she may be sent from the court for a cooling off period of 5 minutes. The team will be penalised by playing 4 players only until the cooling off period is finished. The player may retake the court immediately after this cooling off period.

Five Direct Free Fouls

• Teams may only accumulate five free fouls per half. After and including a sixth foul occurs within a half, a direct free kick shall be awarded outside the D with no wall allowed. If the offence occurs within the Goalie’s D the free kick will be given two metres outside the D.
  

Time Wasting

• Time wasting will be determined by the referee and will result in a yellow card and a free kick.
• Kicking the ball away from the designated play position after the whistle has gone will result in a yellow card and a free kick to the opposition
  

Advantage

• An advantage may be played at the referee’s discretion even though a prior foul may have occurred

Lateness

The clock will begin at the fixtured time. Teams running late will incur a 1 goal penalty for every 2 minutes late. An Automatic Forfeit will apply if a team cannot supply 4 team members after 12 minutes has elapsed in the first-half. Forfeit Fees will apply

Forfeit

A forfeit loss (LOF) will apply to the team creating the forfeit. Arrangement for fill-in players must be made if a team cannot front a game. Otherwise, the last game bond fee will be used and the team will have to re-pay the last game bond in order to compete in the next round of competition.

Points

The points are allocated as follows:
WIN = 4 POINTS
DRAW = 2 POINT
LOSS = 1 POINTS
Loss On Forfeit (LOF) = - 5 Goals
Win On Forfeit (WOF) = + 5 Goals

Player Responsibilty

Players play at their own risk.  Aussie Indoor Sports accepts no liability for any injury that a player might receive in the course of a game.