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Futsal Rules

6 a side soccer
competition rules

RULES OF PLAY

  • Rules of play are based on standard outdoor 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 field. The ball can be played forward or backward, all players must be on side.

  • Goals cannot be scored from the kick off.


SCORING

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

  • Female goals count for 2 (In open divisions - to encourage female participation)

 
OFFSIDE

  • There is no offsides in 6 a side Soccer.


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 5m 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.

  • If the ground is not properly marked with a penalty area, it is up to the referee to adjudicate where the spot kick is.


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 goal keeper box.

  • 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 box as a goal kick when ball makes its way 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 is deemed to have made contact or could have made 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).


Throw ins

  • Throw in's are awarded to the opposing team when the ball leaves the field over the side line.

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

  • Players have maximum of 4 seconds to take the throw in once the ball is in possession.

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


CORNER KICKS

  • A Corner is awarded when the ball leaves the field 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 5m 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 Kick

  • Goal kick is awarded whenever the ball is out of play over the back line by opponent.

  • If the keeper saves the ball, they may throw, kick 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 (Fawkner Park)

  • If the ball is kicked out of bounds to waste time, the player will be issued with a warning, before being sin binned.

  • No tackles from behind permitted.

  • Unlimited pass backs permitted.

  • Goal Keeper box is marked out with a cone and spans from sideline to sideline.

  • Defenders are not to attack the ball, whereby it may put themselves, or their opposition in a vulnerable position.​

  • Attackers must be vigilant of other players when looking to run the ball, take a shot etc to ensure they don't put themselves, or other players at risk.

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