FutsalSJ - Laws of the Game

The 2014-2015 FIFA Futsal Laws of the Game are used by Fusal San Jose, including the USFF modified laws, with the following additions for U15 and younger games:
  • All games start on schedule. If teams are not ready time is deducted from the first half. If a team shows up more than 10 minutes late the game is cancelled and marked as a 1-0 win for the team that was ready.
  • Clock keeps running except for timeouts.
  • We do not restrict the number of guest players per game as long as all players participating in the game have a valid hard copy of a USFF player pass and are the correct age for the team.
  • If a team is more than 7 goals ahead the score is no longer displayed, and the website will automatically lower the score to follow this rule.
  • Ball size: Size #3 for U12 and younger, Size #4 for U13 and up. The age group of the younger team is used to determine ball size.
  • No scoring from kick-offs.
  • Goal clearance and balls thrown by the goal keeper may not cross the center line without touching either the ground or a player first (USFF Youth Futsal rule). Infractions are restarted with a Indirect Free Kick for opposing team
  • Home teams kick off the first half, visiting team the second half. Visiting team selects side for the first half.
  • Opponents must be 8 feet away for kick-offs, kick-ins and free kicks.
  • No protests will be allowed, except for players that played illegally (age, no player pass, ...). The board will take disciplinary action against Teams/coaches caught cheating in this way.
  • Scoring/Standing: 3 points for win, 1 for tie, 0 for loss, -1 per red card, tie breaker: fewest red cards, fewest goals against, most goals for (max of 10/game), otherwise tie stands. Standings are calculated using average points/game, not sum, so teams that get to play fewer games are not penalized.

Comparison between Futsal and outdoor soccer


Youth FutsalCYSA Youth Soccer
Pitch sizebetween 1 to 2 times the size of a basket ball court.For older age groups larger than an American football field.
Pitch markingsOften improvised, using basketball markings. Needs Penalty arc, center circle (3m), two penalty points.Goal- and Penalty box, center circle (6yards), one penalty point.
Balllow bounce, heavier than outdoor, size #3  for U12 and younger, #4 for U13 and older. The age group of the younger team is used to determine the correct ball size. bouncy ball, sizes #3-#5 depending on age group.
Substitutionno limits, at any time (flying substitutions).no limits, during throw-ins, kick-offs, goal kicks.
Goals2m heigh, 3m wide (7 feet high, 10 feet wide)
between 6 feet high and 6 yards wides (U8) and 8 feet high and 8 yards wide (U12 and up).
Players5 (one is a goal keeper).8-11 (depends on age group), one is a goal keeper.
RefereesOne or two, they stay outside the pitch, plus time keeper/scorer.one center, two assistants.
Play time2 × 20min, 5min break.2 × (age group)×2.5, 5 min. break.
Time-outone per team per half.none.
 Kick-Offno goal may be scored from kick-off (USFF modified law)
Goals may be scored from kick-off
Offsidesno.yes for older age groups.
Direct Free Kick Fouls
  • kicks or attempts to kick an opponent
  • trips or attempts to trip an opponent, either by sliding or by bending down in front of or behind an opponent.
  • jumps at an opponent
  • charges an opponent
  • strikes or attempts to strike an opponent
  • pushes an opponent (no shoulder to shoulder!)
  • slides in an attempt to play the ball while an opponent is playing or is about to play it (side tackle), except for GK in penalty area if he does not endanger an opponent.
  • holds an opponent
  • spits at an opponent
  • handles the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeeper within his own penalty area).
  • kicks or attempts to kick an opponent
  • trips or attempts to trip an opponent
  • jumps at an opponent
  • charges an opponent
  • strikes or attempts to strike an opponent
  • pushes an opponent
  • tackles an opponent to gain possession of the ball, making contact with the opponent before touching the ball
  • holds an opponent
  • spits at an opponent
  • handles the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeeper within his own penalty area).
GK fouls (indirect free kicks)
  • after clearing, it is received back from a team-mate without it having been played or touched by an opponent;
  • touches or controls the ball with his/her hands after it has deliberately been kicked to him/her by a team-mate;
  • touches or controls the ball with a hand after it is received directly from a kickin taken by a team-mate;
  • touches or controls the ball with a hands or feet in his/her own half for more than four seconds.
  • takes more than six seconds while controlling the ball with his hands before releasing it from his possession
  • touches the ball again with his hands after it has been released from his possession and has not touched any other player
  • touches the ball with his hands after it has been deliberately kicked to him by a team-mate
  • touches the ball with his hands after he has received it directly from a throw-in taken by a team-mate.
Accumulation of foulsIn each half the sixth and all further DFK fouls against a team are played as PK from either where the foul was committed, or from the second penalty point.no.
Out on touch line or ceilingKick in (foot on or behind line, 4 seconds max. after putting down ball).Throw-in.
Out on goal lineGoal clearance (GK throws ball, USFF modified rule: may not cross halfway line) or corner kick.Goal kick or corner kick.
Red cardsPlayer may be substituted after 2min or after goal scored.Player may not be substituted.
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