The Field
The game of Futsal is played on a marked field and the ball can go out of play.
The Ball
Given that Futsal is played on a smaller field and emphasizes skills and passing, the game is played with a smaller ball that has 30% less bounce than a standard soccer ball.
Offside Rule
There is no offside rule in Futsal.
Rotating Substitutions
Up to 12 players can be used in a match and there is no limit on how long a player must stay on the field, nor is a stoppage required for player substitutions which are permitted during play. Players substituting must enter and leave the field via the marked substitution zone in front of the team benches.
Kick-ins
In order t re-start the game after the ball has gone out of play, the ball is kicked back into play from the touchline and from corners. The play must be placed stationary on the touchline and the feet of the player taking the kick-in must not cross the line.
The 4 Second Rule
For kick-ins, free kicks and goal clearances and corner kicks, the player in possession of the ball has 4 seconds to restart play which the referee will count with fingers in the air. If play is not restarted within four seconds an indirect free kick will be awarded to the opposing team. The goalkeeper is not allowed to control the ball for more than 4 seconds in his/her own half.
The 5 Meter (or 16 Foot) Rule
Players are required to keep 5 meters (just over 16 feet) from the player in possession of the ball on free kicks, corners, goal clearances, kick-ins and penalties.
Goalkeepers
Goalkeepers are allowed to come out of the penalty area and players are allowed to go into the penalty area. A goal clearance must be thrown (and not kicked) and the goalkeeper cannot touch the ball again until it has crossed midfield or a member of the opposing team has touched the ball.
Accumulated Fouls
Each team is allowed to give away 5 direct free kicks in each half and on the 6th foul a direct kick is awarded to the opposing team and the offending team is not allowed to position any players (other than the goalkeeper) between the ball and the goal. The kick may be taken from the 10 meter (32.5 foot) mark, or if the foul was committed closer to the goal than the 10M/32.5ft mark then the kick may be taken from the position where the infraction took place.
Game Played in Real Time
A Futsal match consists of two 20 minute halves that are played in real-time which means the clock stops whenever the ball is out of play. Teams will have a 5 minute warm up period and half time will consist of a 5 minute break.
Time Outs
Each team is allowed one 30-second time out per half.
With thanks to South Coast Soccer City