Basic futsal rules
Team Composition:
Each team fields five players, including a goalkeeper.
Unlimited "flying" substitutions are allowed, meaning players can enter and exit the game without formal stoppages.
Match Duration:
- A standard match consists of two 20-minute halves of actual playing time, with a 15-minute halftime break. The clock stops whenever the ball is out of play or the match is interrupted, resuming only when play continues. inside.fifa.com
Ball Specifications:
- Futsal uses a smaller, low-bounce ball compared to traditional soccer balls, facilitating better control on the hard playing surface.
Playing Surface and Dimensions:
- Matches are played on a hard court surface without walls, typically measuring between 38–42 meters in length and 20–25 meters in width.
Fouls and Misconduct:
- The game tracks accumulated fouls. Upon a team's sixth accumulated foul in a half, the opposing team is awarded a direct free kick from the second penalty mark, located 10 meters from the goal.
Goalkeeper Restrictions:
Goalkeepers are prohibited from touching or controlling the ball with their hands or feet in their own half for more than four seconds.
They may not throw the ball directly across the halfway line without it first touching their own side of the pitch or a player.
Restarts:
Instead of throw-ins, futsal employs kick-ins to restart play when the ball crosses the touchline.
Goal clearances are executed by the goalkeeper throwing the ball, rather than kicking it, to restart play after the ball has crossed the goal line off an opponent.
Offside Rule:
- Futsal does not implement an offside rule, allowing for more fluid and attacking play.
These rules are designed to promote continuous play and encourage technical skill, making futsal a fast-paced and exciting sport.
Reference:
Fédération Internationale de Football Association. (n.d.). A crash course in futsal rules. FIFA. Retrieved January 29, 2025, from https://inside.fifa.com/news/a-crash-course-in-futsal-rules