PWSI Futsal Rules and Regulations:
1. Number of Players: Futsal is played with 2 teams each with 5 players (one of whom is the goalkeeper). The roster size of each team is generally set at 10 players. (There are a few exceptions to this policy due to number of registrants.) Coaches will provide team rosters to the referee.
2. Field Characteristics: At the CSC, the arc painted around the goal represents the penalty area. There are no walls employed in Futsal. There is very little if any space between the boards and the corners. Please encourage players to use the imaginary corner arcs to give themselves room to perform their corner kicks. At the CSC, please encourage the coaches to close the doors to their benches except when they are substituting players on the fly. Please ask coaches to stay in the bench area and not coach from the touchline.
3. Ball: The game will be played with a Futsal Ball if one is provided. If one cannot be provide the game may be played with a size #4 soccer ball. Games may not be played with a size #5 ball.
4. Substitutions: Unlimited “on the fly” substitutions may occur without the referees permission. “On the fly” substitutions must occur in front of own team bench and must not interfere with play.
5. Equipment:
A. Shoes: At the CSC, players are encouraged to wear soccer cleats as the turf is the same as that in place at Howison. In fact, players wearing tennis shoes or turf shoes find the turf slippery and can fall.
At the Hylton Boys and Girls Club, games are played on a basketball court. As a result, NO CLEATS or TURF SHOES are permitted at the Hylton Boys and Girls Club. Indoor shoes with flat soles or athletic tennis shoes will be the only acceptable shoes.
B. Shinguards: Are required for every player wishing to participate in the game.
6. Length of Matches, Halftime, and Timeouts:
A. Match Lengths: All matches will play 2-25 minute halves. There will be a running clock through all matches. Games must be kept on time so as not to impact the timing of subsequent matches. Kickoffs should occur on the hour.
B. Halftimes: All halftimes will be 2 minutes in length. The referees may use there discretion to short the halftime if games are running behind.
C. Timeouts: Each team is permitted 1 timeout during the match. Timeouts are 45 seconds in length and may only be called when your team is in possession of the ball.
7. Kick-off: The ball is in play when it is touched and moves forward. Defending team players must be at least 10 feet from the ball at the center mark.
8. 4-Second Restart Rule: A restart must occur within 4 seconds of placing a ball for a free kick, corner kick, or goal kick. Defenders must give the required 10feet (referees discretion on distance) of distance from the ball.
~Goalkeepers only have 4 seconds to distribute the ball once that have gained full possession of it~
9. Out of Touch Re-Starts: Occurs when the ball has completely crossed over a line (touchline or goal line). The game will be re-started with an INDIRECT Free Kick and the opposing team must give the required distance of 10 feet.
At the CSC, when a ball is kicked high and strikes the steel framework protruding from the ceiling the ball is deemed out of play. The restart will be taken by the opposing team in the form of an indirect kick from the point directly underneath where the ball struck the steel framework. If that point is located within the general area of the “penalty area” the ball is moved to the closest perpendicular point outside the penalty area.
10. Offside: There are no offside violations in Futsal.
11. Slide Tackling and Shoulder Charges: Are not permitted. First violation is a warning. Second violation is an ejection (at the discretion of the referee).
12. Goalkeeper Throws: Goalkeepers may distribute or throw the ball with their hands within the arc (on the basketball court). Goalkeeper throws cannot cross half-court on the fly; the ball must first touch a player or the floor on their own half of the court. (Balls that do cross half-court on the fly result in an indirect free kick from half-court). There are no punts or drop kicks allowed by the goalkeeper. The goalkeeper can throw the ball into play or can dribble or pass the ball. The focus of the Futsal League is ball control and attempting to punt or drop kick the ball is not consistent with this goal.
13. Back Passes to Goalkeepers: Unlimited back passes to goalkeepers. (Keeper may not use hands to receive back passes from their teammates).
14. Fouls and Free Kicks:
A. Fouls: Are in accordance with the Laws of the Game except that there areno Slide Tackling or Shoulder Charges in Futsal.
B. Free Kicks: All fouls that result in free kicks, will do so in accordance with the laws of the game. (For Indirect and Direct Fouls, the free kick will result in Direct or Indirect kick depending on the foul).
C. Accumulated Fouls: The first 6 fouls for the entire half that are committed by each team are recorded by the referee. On the 7th foul of that half, the opposing team shall receive a free kick from the top of the arc. The kicker must shoot the ball. All other players shall be in the opposite half of the court while this is taking place. If the kick is saved, the game returns to live action. If a goal is scored the game restarts with a kick-off.
D. Penalty Kicks: Penalty kicks are taken from the top of the arc (top of the penalty area).
15. Scoring: You may score from anywhere on the floor.
16. Mercy Rule: If a team goes ahead by 8 goals, the opposing team may add an additional player or the winning team may withdraw a player (not substitute) from the field of play. The teams can remove or replace players if the score gap narrows. All of this is with permission of the Referee!
FIFA FUTSAL LAWS OF THE GAMEAPPLY
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