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Futsal Rules

futsal competition rules

RULES OF PLAY

  • Rules of play are based on standard Futsal rules as referenced by the governing body unless otherwise stated, but are modified to suit the social nature of the competition, the time available and the facilities used. Be ACTIVE retains the right to make determinations on issues that fall outside of documented rules and is the final authority in all interpretations and decisions.


EQUIPMENT

  • Players are advised to wear shin-guards for their own protection; however, they are not compulsory.

  • Uniforms are not compulsory however we do encourage teams to wear similar colour team shirts to avoid confusion. We provides Bibs to distinguish teams.


KICKOFF

  • Kick off is from the centre of the court. The ball can be played forward or backward, all players must be on side.

  • Goals can be scored from the kick off, either direct or indirect.


SCORING

  • You may score a goal from anywhere on the court.

  • Female goals count for 2 (in mixed & open divisions)

 
OFFSIDE

  • There is no offsides in Futsal.


SLIDE TACKLES

  • Slide tackles are not permitted, and players must stay on their feet at ALL times.

  • Players may be SENT OFF for a slide tackle.


FREE KICKS

  • All off the ball challenges result in an indirect free kick - unless in penalty area.

  • To score off an indirect free kick, another player must touch the ball before the ball enters the goal.

  • All on the ball challenges (handballs, contact etc) result in a direct free kick – unless in penalty area

  • Players taking free kicks CANNOT kick the ball twice (i.e. they must pass the ball).

  • Defending players must move back 3m from the ball, and cannot move any closer until the ball has been kicked.

  • The ball must be stationary before the free kick is taken.


PENALTIES

  • A penalty will be awarded if, in the opinion of the referee, a serious infringement has occurred inside the penalty area, which has denied the attacking team a goal scoring opportunity.

  • A penalty will be taken from the top of the penalty area.

  • All players (except for the goal keeper and the penalty taker) must stand outside the penalty area until the ball is kicked.

  • Goalkeepers must stay on the goal line but can move side to side.

  • Scoring of a goal can be direct or indirect.

  • If the ground is not properly marked with a penalty area, it is up to the referee to adjudicate where the semi circle is, using a 5m radius as a guide.


player caution/sin bin
We do not issue yellow or red cards however we do have a caution system in place. If there is a serious breach of rules, a player may be asked to leave the field immediately, for remainder of the match. A review of incident will be conducted by Be Active Melbourne as to whether the player is banned for remaining matches etc.

 

Other cautions will incur the following and are dependent on the referee: 

First caution (player) = warning

Second caution (player) = 2 min sin bin (another player is able to be subbed in place

Third caution (player) = sent off without another player entering court/field

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In the event of a whole team breaching rules, a clear warning will be given to team & captain. If further team breaches, players are then sent off field/court with no substitute brought on. Further breaches and the game ends with a forfeit and a review will be made by Be Active Melbourne as to whether the team is able to continue in the competition.


GOAL KEEPER

  • Must only handle the ball inside the semi-circle or within 5 metre radius from the goal post.

  • Otherwise the Goal Keeper is free to leave the penalty area and act as an extra player, without using their hands.

  • The Goal Keeper must play the ball from inside the circle from either hand when out of play.

  • Goals can be scored by the keeper from the play of ball, direct or indirect if kicked, indirect only if played by hand.

  • NEW RULING - Goal Keepers are not allowed to slide tackle within their goal zone. They may dive or slide to block but not tackle. Any sliding movement that makes contact with a player will be sanctioned accordingly.


BACK PASSES
The Goal Keeper CANNOT pick the ball up if:

  • It has been played back from a kick-in.

  • If the ball has been intentionally passed backed.

The Goal Keeper CAN pick the ball up if:

  • The back pass was unintentional.

  • If it was headed, chested or thighed back.


HANDBALL
It IS handball if:

  • A player deliberately uses their hand, arm or shoulder to control, handle, carry, strike or propel the ball.

  • The player doesn't make a reasonable attempt to move their hand out of path of the ball.

It IS NOT handball if:

  • It is blatantly accidental.

  • If the player is protecting their face (or other sensitive areas) when the ball strikes them.

  • The player makes a reasonable attempt to move their hands out of the way (despite there still being contact with the ball and the hands).


KICK-INS

  • Kick-ins are awarded to the opposing team when the ball leaves the court over the side line.

  • The kick-in is taken from where the ball crosses the line.

  • The ball must be kicked from the side line, with the Ball placed on the line and the player remaining behind the line.

  • Players have maximum of 4 seconds to take the kick once the ball is in place.

  • Goals can be scored from a kick-in but must be touched.


CORNER KICKS

  • A Corner is awarded when the ball leaves the court over the goal line from the touch of a defending player.

  • The corner is taken with the ball placed on the closest corner and kicked into play by an attacking player.

  • Defending players must move back 4m from the ball, and cannot move any closer until the ball has been kicked.

  • Goals can be scored directly or indirectly from a corner.


GOAL THROW

  • Goal throw is awarded whenever the ball is out of play over the goal line by opponent.

  • If the keeper saves the ball, they may throw, kick punt or dribble the ball to any part of the court, and can score either directly or indirectly.

  • There is no two-touch rule in our competitions (Lunchtime)


ADDITIONAL RULINGS (Docklands Sport Courts)​

  • If the ball is kicked above the fencing on either end of the court (without deflection) a penalty will be awarded. The player who kicked the ball over, must then go and retrieve ball.

  • The ball is not to be 'recklessly' kicked out of bounds to delay the game.

  • Goal throw cannot be thrown directly over halfway on the full. If so, an indirect is taken from halfway.

  • No tackles from behind permitted.

  • Unlimited pass backs permitted.

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Additional Rulings (Flagstaff Gardens & prahran)

  • If the ball is kicked over the fencing (without deflection) a penalty from halfway is awarded without goalkeeper. The player who kicked the ball over, must then go and retrieve ball.

  • Goal throw cannot be thrown directly over halfway on the full. If so, an indirect is taken from halfway.

  • Any direct foul conceded by the defensive team within the defensive third will result in a penalty from the third line (with goalkeeper).

  • No player may enter the offensive goal circle at any time. This will result in a goal throw. If player shoots ball outside of circle and foot lands inside - play on.

  • No tackles from behind permitted.

  • Unlimited pass backs permitted, however if used to waste time, a penalty from defensive third line awarded.

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