Current Section
Futsal League Rules
RULES FOR GRETNA SOCCER CLUB FUTSAL LEAGUE
Players - 5 players on the court, including a goalkeeper. You must have 4 players to start the game. During coed games, when both teams are coed, there must be two female and two male field players at all times. Goalkeeper can be of either gender. Shin guards are mandatory. An adult must sign liability waiver before any player will be allowed to play.
Coaches - One coach is allowed on the sideline. Parents, there is no coaching from the spectator area.
Substitutions - Substitutions may be made "on the fly" (while the game is in progress) from midfield. The player who is leaving the court must be off the court before you may enter, and you must enter/leave from the substitution zone, midfield. The players exchanging positions on/off the field are expected to "high five" each other while moving over the touchline (sideline). Players who are substituting and interfere with the immediate "play" will be called with an indirect free kick for the opposing team at the spot of the foul. You may also subsitute during any dead ball. If you want to change goalkeepers, notify the referee and the change will be made at the next dead ball.
Kick-offs. During the kickoff, the opposing team shall be no less than 5 yards from the ball until it is kicked off and in play. A goal cannot be scored directly from kick-off.
Ball In, Out of Play, Scoring - the ball must be fully across the line to be out of play or to count as a goal. The referee has final say on all judgment calls. Ball is still live if it hits the ceiling net within the field dimensions.
Kick-ins - When the ball goes out along either the touchline (sideline), the team that regains possession of the ball gets a kick-in from the spot the ball left the playing field. The ball should be placed on the line for the kick and the defending team must give the kicker 5 yards. You have 4 seconds to take the kick (referee will give a visual count with his arm). No goals can be scored directly from a kick-in. The kicker cannot touch the ball a second time until a after the ball is played by a teammate or opponent.
Fouls – No slide tackling allowed. Goals can be scored directly from direct free kicks but not from indirect free kicks. All free kicks (direct or indirect) must be taken within 4 seconds from the spot of the foul otherwise an indirect free kick will be awarded to the opposing team. Five yards must be given by the defense. If a player of the opposing team encroaches within 5 yards of the ball, the free kick will be retaken.
Cautions, Ejections – If a yellow card is given the player’s team receiving the yellow card will play short for 1 minute. If there is a red card given, the player's team receiving the red card will play short a player for the remainder of the game.
Penalty Kicks - Taken from the spot. All players, other than the kicker and goalkeeper, must stay outside the penalty area until the ball is played. The goalkeeper must be on the goal line and between the goal posts until the ball is struck. All defenders must be at least 5 yards from the ball. The ball is live if it rebounds into play off the keeper or the goal.
Offside - There is no offside.
Goal Clearance - This is a futsal term for when the keeper throws the ball into play after the ball goes over the end line after last being touched by an opponent. This replaces the goal kick in outdoor soccer. The throw must leave the penalty area. The opposing team must stay out of the penalty area during the throw. If a player from either team plays the ball before it leaves the penalty area, the keeper retakes the throw. The keeper cannot touch the ball a second time until another player touches it. A Goalkeeper therefore cannot drop the ball at their feet and then start dribbling with the ball. The ball must touch the goalkeeper’s own side of the pitch or any player before going over the halfway-line. An indirect free kick will be awarded to the opposing team if the goalkeeper throws the ball directly over the halfway-line or touches the ball twice in a row.
Corner Kicks - Just like outdoor soccer. A corner kick is awarded when the ball goes over the end line and was last touched by the defending team. You have 4 seconds to take the corner kick once the ball is placed on the corner spot. Otherwise a free-kick will be awarded to the opposing team. The defending team must give 5 yards for the kick. Goals can be scored directly from a corner kick.
Game Length - The game is played in two equal halves with a running clock kept by the referee. There is no overtime unless in the Championship Game. Games can end in a tie. All games play 20 minute halves.
Goalkeeper - The keeper cannot dribble the ball out of the penalty area once they have the ball in their hands. The keeper can never pick up the ball with hands when intentionally passed to them by a teammate, including from a kick-in. Whenever the keeper has the ball in their possession by hands or feet in their own defensive half of the court, they may possess the ball for no more than four seconds.
Goals Scored - A goal may be scored from a players defensive half.
Sliding Tackles - A player can slide for the ball as long as they are not near an opponent. If this occurs a direct free-kick will be awarded. A Goalkeeper can slide within their own box for protection but not outside of the box.
No bags allowed on field - Water bottles and inhaler will only be allowed on field. Each team is responsible for picking up any trash on the field after their game.
