Futsal Tournament Rules & Point Standings

Parent Category: News

 
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 10 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 from behind their own goal area. 
 
Kick-Ins
In order to 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 ball must be placed stationary and the feet of the player taking the kick-in must not cross the line. 
 
The 4 Second Rule
For kick-ins, free kicks, 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 4 seconds an indirect 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 6 Feet Rule 
Players are required to keep 6 feet from the player in possession of the ball on corners and kick-ins
 
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 during a game. 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.
 
Game Time 
A tournament match will consist of 25 minutes of play, straight through with no halves.
 
Time Outs 
Each team is allowed one 30-second time out per game. 
 
Sliding Tackling 
Sliding tackles are not allowed in Futsal but players are allowed to slide on the field (e.g., to stop a ball from going out of play, to direct a pass towards the net, etc.) For a player sliding to be considered a foul, the tackler’s opponent must be in possession of the ball. Referees will not give a foul for a slide if the opponent does not have possession of the ball.   
 
 
Tournament Standings will be based on the following:
Win 3 points
Tie 1 point
Loss 0 points
 
*Please note: The LA Galaxy Soccer Center does not promote, nor does it reward high goal scoring against weaker opposition. We strongly encourage coaches to find more creative ways to play against mismatched teams and not to run up the score for purposes of goal differential. Goals against is the Soccer Center’s tie breaker.
 
In the event of a two-way tie between teams:
The best record head-to-head will determine the prevailing team.
If the teams are still tied (or the teams did not play against each other), the fewest goals against will determine the prevailing team.
If the teams are still tied, the most goals for will determine the prevailing team.
If the teams are still tied, a coin flip will determine the prevailing team.
 
In the event of a tie between 3 or more teams:
The order of finish will be based on best record involving games between the tied teams
If the teams are still tied (or an unequal number of games were played against each other), the order of finish will be based on fewest goals against
If the teams are still tied, the order of finish will be based on most goals for
If the teams are still tied, the order of finish will be drawn from a hat.