Futsal Rules 2025

This is a basic summary of Futsal rules, with a particular focus on the rules that are specific to our leagues. Unless specified differently here we base our rules on the FIFA Futsal laws.

  1.  

1. TEAMS.

  • Team: 5 players on court per team (including 1 goalkeeper). Additional subs (maximum 7) are allowed
  • Minimum team: A team must have at least 3 players to start a game.
  • Fill-in players: A team may use a fill-in player if necessary due to regular players being absent. Fill-in players may be from outside the competition, or from another Scoreline Sports league. Fill-in players may not be from another team in the same league. Where there is grading, a player may fill in for a higher grade than their own, but not lower.

2. SUBSTITUTES

  • Unlimited ‘flying’ substitutes
  • Players can re-enter the game without notifying the referee.
  • Substitutions must take place from the side of the pitch adjacent to the team’s bench area.
  • The exiting player must be completely off the court before the sub enter the court.
  • The two players must cross the sideline within 2 metres of each other.
  • Goalkeeper replacements (by a sub or by another player) can only take place when the ball is out of play and the referee has been informed.

3. KICK-IN

  • For sideline re-starts, a kick-in is taken (instead of a throw-in)
  • The kicker must place the ball by hand stationary on the line before kicking it in.
  • A goal CANNOT be scored directly from a kick in.    It must be touched by another player (from either team) to be a goal.
  • Defending players must be no less than 3 metres away from the player taking the kick-in. 

4. OTHER IMPORTANT RULES

  • Kick-off:  
    • Wait for whistle.
    • May be taken in any direction.  
    • May score directly from kick off
    • Opposition players must stay behind designated line until kick taken.
  • For a ball to be OUT or a goal scored, ALL of the ball must be over the line.
  • There is a 4 second time limit at all restarts of play (corner, kick-in, goalkeeper throw) 
  • There is no offside rule.  
  • Slide tackles are NOT permitted.
  • Players may NOT play the ball whilst sitting, lying or leaning on the ground , except for the Goalkeeper who can only do so within their goal area (if safe).   

5. GOALKEEPERS

  • If the ball has gone over the goal line off the attacking team (outside goals), the goalkeeper must clear  the ball by hand from the marked goal area (D) to restart.   The ball must be cleared from the area within 4 seconds.
  • If the goalkeeper has taken possession of the ball in their area in general play, they may clear it by hand, or by dropping it to the floor and kicking it.    The goalkeeper has 4 seconds to either (a) release the ball to another player OR (b) take the ball outside the goal area.
  • The goalkeeper has a 4 second time limit to clear the ball from the goal area
  • If the goalkeeper takes possession of the ball in general play, they have 
  • Goalkeepers are NOT allowed to pick up a deliberate pass from any of their team mates (Back pass).
  • There is NO “two touch” rule in this league.

6. DISCIPLINARY ACTION

  • Our referees can use 2 disciplinary cards – blue and red.
  • BLUE CARD: player must leave the court for a period specified by the referee (referees discretion but standard period is 2 minutes). The player may be replaced immediately. The matter does not go on the player’s record.
  • RED CARD:
    • Player is immediately expelled from the game and cannot return.
    • The player may be replaced after 2 minutes, or when their team concedes a goal, whichever is earlier.    
    • A player receiving a red card must serve an automatic minimum suspension of 1 game (after the game in which the card is received)
    • Any  additional penalty will be notified by Scoreline Sports management.
  • Referees may warn, ask to leave or eject from the stadium any person who is bringing the competition into disrepute or displaying antisocial behaviour. (Spectators included)
  • All players are bound by the Scoreline Sports Code of Conduct. Referees may take action during the game for breaches of the code. Management may issue further sanctions for reported breaches of the code (even if no action was taken at the time).

7. MIXED RULES

  • Maximum 3 males on the court at all times.
  • The first 2 female goals for each team are worth two each.
  • A team cannot score more than 3 male goals consecutively.
  • Males can only shoot for goal from inside the large semi circle (basketball 3 point line). The exception to this is if the opposing goalkeeper is outside the same semi circle, at which time anyone can shoot from anywhere on the pitch.
  • If a male player takes a corner or side kick-in, a goal can only be scored if it is touched by another player on the same team.
  • There is no official limit on kicking height; however a free kick may be given against a male player who kicks the ball excessively hard at or near head height, especially if a female player is in the vicinity

8. FORFEITS

  • Teams who cannot field sufficient players will forfeit the match.
  • If a team wishes to borrow players from another team in the same league, they may do so, but it is a forfeit and the match becomes a friendly.
  • A forfeit will be recorded as a 10-0 result.

9. FINALS

  • Players must be registered and must have played at least once prior to the registration cutoff, to be eligible