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Futsal Rules of Play

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Detailed Rules

Number of Players
Minimum number of five (5) players including goalkeeper needed to start a match with minimum of three (3) required to finish a match. Unlimited substitutions are allowed during the play with a maximum number of seven (7) substitute players.

Main Referee
Enforce the laws, apply the advantage rule, keep a record of all incidents before, during and after game, stop game when deemed necessary, caution or expel players guilty of misconduct, violent conduct or other ungentlemanly behavior, allow no others to enter the pitch, stop game to have injured players removed, signal for game to be restarted after every stoppage, decide that the ball meets with the stipulated requirements.

Duration of the Game
Two equal periods of 20 minutes with clock stopped whenever ball is out of play. Time can be prolonged only to take a penalty kick. Time-outs: 1 per team per half; none in extra time.

The Start of Play
Home team kicks off with away team kicking off to start second half. Opposing team waits outside center circle and the ball is deemed in play once it has been touched. The kicker shall not touch the ball after the initial kick or touch before someone else touches it. Ensuing kick-offs taken after goals scored and at start of second half.

Ball In and out of Play
Ball out of play: When it has wholly crossed the goal line or touchline, when the game has been stopped by a referee, or when the ball hits the ceiling.

Restart: Kick in with four (4) second rule.

Lines: Touchlines and goal lines are considered inside the playing area.

Method of Scoring
When the whole of the ball has passed over the goal line, between the goal posts and under the crossbar (except by illegal means).

Fouls and Misconduct
Direct free kick awarded when a player intentionally commits any of the following 11 offenses (penalty kick awarded when infringement takes place in penalty area)

• kicking or attempting to kick an opponent
• tripping an opponent
• jumping at an opponent
• charging an opponent in a violent or dangerous manner
• charging an opponent from behind
• striking, attempting to strike, or spitting at an opponent
• holding an opponent
• pushing an opponent
• charging an opponent with shoulder (i.e., shoulder charge)
• sliding at an opponent (i.e., sliding tackle)
• handling the ball (except goalkeeper)

• dangerous play (e.g. attempting to kick ball held by goalkeeper)
• obstruction
• charging the goalkeeper in the penalty area (i.e., goalkeeper charge)
• goalkeeper throws ball directly over the halfway-line (without it first touching his own side of the pitch or any player)
• goalkeeper picks up or touches with his hands a back pass
• goalkeeper picks up or touches with his hands a kick-in from a teammate
• goalkeeper controls the ball with any part of his body for more than 4 seconds
• goalkeeper touches with any part of his body a back pass that has been played back to him before the ball has (1) crossed the
  halfway-line or (2) been touched by an opponent

• a substituting player enters the pitch from an incorrect position or before the player being substituted has entirely left the pitch
• player persistently infringes the Laws of the Game
• player shows dissent with any decision of the referee
• player is guilty of unsportsmanlike conduct

1. serious foul play
2. violent conduct
3. foul or abusive language
4. second instance of cautionable offense (i.e., second yellow card)
5. intentionally impeding a clear goal opportunity (e.g. through a "professional foul")
6. intentionally impeding a clear goal opportunity in the penalty area by handling the ball

• The player sent off (shown a red card) is out for the rest of the game and is not even permitted to sit on the reserves' bench.
• The team of the player sent off can substitute for that player after 2 minutes of playing time or after the opposing team scores --
  which ever comes first.
• The 2-minute punishment shall be checked by the timekeeper (or by the assistant referee, if there is no timekeeper).
• The substitute cannot come on until the ball is out of play and he has a referee's consent.

• Types: Direct free kicks and indirect free kicks
• Wall: At least 16 feet away until the ball is in play
• Ball in Play: After it has traveled the distance of its own circumference
• Time Limit: Kick must be taken within 4 seconds
• Restriction: Kicker cannot touch the ball again until it has been touched by another player

• that team shall not be allowed a defensive wall;
• all free kicks shall be direct (no indirect free kicks); and
• infringements committed within 10 meters/32-1/2 feet of the goal line shall be punished with a direct free taken from the point of infringement or
  from the second penalty spot; infringements committed from 32.5 feet or further from the goal line shall be punished with a direct
  free kick from the Second Penalty Spot

• Until the ball is kicked into play, all players other than the goalkeeper and kicker shall remain behind an imaginary line that is in line with the ball and parallel to the goal line.
• The goalkeeper shall remain in his penalty area at least 15 feet away from the ball.
• The kicker must aim at the goal, with the intention of scoring.
• No other player may touch the ball until it has been touched by the pitch, rebounded from the goal post or crossbar, or has left the pitch.
• If the infringement took place in penalty area (and does not merit a penalty kick), the free kick is to be taken from the 20 foot line on the
  spot nearest to where the infringement occurred.

• To be taken from the 20-foot penalty mark.
• The kicker is to aim at the goal with the intention of scoring.
• All players must be out of the penalty area, and the players of the opposing team must also be at least 5 m from the penalty spot.
• The kicker shall not play the ball a second time until it has been touched by another player.

• To be taken in place of the throw-in.
• The ball is placed on the touch line before kicking.
• The kicker's foot not kicking the ball must be outside or at least on the touchline; if it crosses the touchline all of the way, into the
  pitch, the kick-in is given to the opposing team.
• The kick-in must be taken within 4 seconds; if it is not, the kick-in is given to the opposing team.
• The kicker cannot play the ball a second time until it has been played by another player; infringement of this rule results in indirect free kick to the opposing team from the point of infringement.
• Players on opposing team must be at least 15 feet away from point of kick-in.
• A goal cannot be scored from a kick-in.

• To be taken in place of goal kick.
• From inside the penalty area, the goalkeeper throws the ball into play.
• The ball is not in play until it has passed outside of the penalty area. If the goal clearance is received inside of the penalty area,
  the goal clearance shall be taken over.

• Ball placed on the corner (no corner-kick arc). If ball is misplaced, the corner kick is taken over.
• Must be taken within 4 seconds; failure to do so results in indirect free kick to the opposing team from the corner mark.
• The kicker cannot play the ball a second time until it has been played by another player; infringement of this rule results in
  indirect free kick to the opposing from the point of infringement.
• Players on opposing team must be at least 16 feet away from point of the corner kick.
• A goal can be scored directly from a corner kick.

• Main referee decides goal to be used.
• Coin tossed to decide order.
• Five kicks to be taken by 5 different players selected from the suited players. Captain of each team announces these 5 to
  the main referee before the kicks are taken.
• If two teams are still tied after 5 kicks, the additional kicks will be taken on a sudden-death basis by the rest of the players
  who have not kicked yet.
• Players sent off during the match are not eligible to take these kicks.
• Any eligible player may change places with his goalkeeper.
• While the penalty shoot-out is in progress, players will remain on the opposite half of the pitch.

- Emilio Miranda,
Professor of Soccer
University of Sao Paolo

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