INTERNATIONAL

LAWS
OF THE
GAME
2017/2018
 CONTENTS

1) THE PLAYING AREA

2) THE BALLS

3) PLAYERS EQUIPMENT

4) THE NUMBER OF PLAYERS

5) DUTIES OF THE REFEREES, THIRD REFEREE, TIMEKEEPER

6) THE DURATION OF THE MATCH

7) THE START OF THE MATCH

8) WHEN IS THE BALL OUT OF PLAY

9) THE METHOD OF SCORING

10) FOULS / MISCONDUCT

11) FREE KICKS – DIRECT/ INDIRECT

12) PENALTY KICKS

13) ACCUMULATED TEAM FOULS

14) KICK INS

15) CORNER KICKS

16) THE GOALKEEPERS / THE GOAL CLEARANCE

17) TWO - TOUCH

18) DETERMINING WINNERS OF MATCHES

1) THE PLAYING AREA
International Matches should be played on a court of:
minimum 38mtrs long x 18mtrs wide; and maximum 42mtrs long x 25mtrs wide
Goals are 3 metres wide x 2 metres high
But can be played on other sized courts if the surface is suitable. A futsal court should always be longer than it is wide.

COURT MARKINGS
The futsal court should be marked with lines which are 8cm wide – 2 x side lines,2x goal lines, 2 x penalty area (“D”), 1x half
way/centre line and on club sized courts
2 x 2/3rd lines. A circle of 3mtrs radius should surround the centre spot. The penalty spot should be 6 metres from the centre of
each goal (line) and the 2nd penalty spot should be 10 metres from the centre of each goal line. There should be me a mark 5m
either side of both 2nd penalty spots.

Substitution zones are located in front of each team’s bench and are clearly marked on the side line. Each substitution zone is 5
metres long and starts from a point 5metres from the halfway/centre line. The area between the two substitution zones are to
be kept clear for the timekeepers/officials table.

FUTSAL COURT SURFACES

Typical indoor futsal court surfaces are made of wood / rubber / various synthetic materials. Surrounding areas should be
cleared of any possible dangers (gym equipment etc.) and only safety glass should be installed indoors or windows near the
futsal court.

Usually outdoor futsal court surfaces are made of real grass / artificial grass / other commercially manufactured materials...

Futsal can be played indoors or outdoors on any surface PROVIDING it is deemed safe to play on by the senior officiating
referee or Australian Futsal Association club officials.

2) THE BALLS
International games
The ball shall be approved by IFA and be a size 4 futsal (low bounce) ball of 60 – 64cm circumference with a smooth outer case
made of leather or synthetic material. Felt covered balls are NOT acceptable.

The approved futsal ball should bounce between 50cms and 65cms when dropped from a height of 2 metres. It should weigh
between 400 grams and 440 grams at the start of each game and be at a pressure equal to 400 – 600g/cm2.

The match referee has the final say if there is any dispute over the match ball
(If damaged during a game the match ball will be replaced by a similar ball and must be approved by the referee in charge of
the game prior to recommencement).

3) PLAYERS EQUIPMENT
It is compulsory for all team members who are not the nominated Goalkeeper to participate in a colour coordinated uniform
comprising of:
• A numbered shirt (the number must clearly contrast with the shirt colour)
• Shorts (may be numbered)
• Long Socks
• Suitable non-marking shoes
• Shin pads that provide a reasonable degree of protection

Goalkeepers must wear:

• A numbered shirt of a colour that distinguishes him/her from the other team members and ideally the referees. (The
number must clearly contrast with the shirt colour)
• Shorts (may be numbered) or Pants
• Long Socks
• Suitable non-marking shoes
• Shin pads that provide a reasonable degree of protection
Goalkeepers may also wear:
• Knee and/or Elbow Pads
• Goal Keeping Gloves

Where two opposing teams uniform are similar, the team listed second on the draw, being the away team, will be required to
wear an alternate uniform or bibs.

Substitutes on the bench for international matches must wear a bib to signify they are not on the court.
NO JEWELLERY CAN BE WORN e.g. necklaces, bracelets, earrings, other visible piercings etc. Items such as bobby pins, metal
hair clips etc. that pose a danger in the referee’s opinion are also NOT PERMITTED to be worn. The ONLY item of jewelry that is
PERMITTED to be worn is MEDICAL ALERT BRACELETS OR NECKLACES, and these items must be taped to the body, and the
referee must be notified before the start of the match.

Headwear is NOT permitted unless outdoors (used as protection) or is worn on religious grounds. Headwear in these categories
should be “soft” and contain no hard 'peak'. Protective headwear is permitted (i.e. football headgear) again providing it is not
dangerous.

Glasses may only be worn if they are approved 'prescription safety sports glasses'

FAILURE TO BE PROPERLY EQUIPPED (DRESSED) MAY PREVENT ANY PLAYER FROM TAKING AN ACTIVE PART IN THE GAME.

4) NUMBER OF PLAYERS
International Teams
Teams are permitted to nominate 12 players per game and must not exceed this. Teams are usually made up of 2 x goalkeepers
and 10 court players. Five players on the court and seven 'substitutes' on their bench. Substitutions may be made at any time
during the game = 'flying substitutions'.

All substitutes MUST enter and leave the court through their marked “substitution zone”, (which is located and marked at two
points on the sideline – between 5 metres and 10 metres from the halfway line into their own half of the court) after the player
being replaced has left the court. During a game all players and team officials are restricted to their own “technical zone” areas
(immediately in front of their team bench). The number of substitutions during a game is “unlimited”.

➢ Infringing the substitution law may result in a caution (yellow card) to the offending player. In this case, if the game is
stopped, the game will be restarted with an indirect free kick to the opposing team from where the offence occurred.
➢ All substitutes are under the authority and jurisdiction of match officials whether or not they actually take to the court
and play an active part in the game.
➢ Teams must have a minimum of 3 players to start a match, one of which must be the designated goalkeeper **

** If a team is reduced to fewer than 3 players during a game, that game will be abandoned by the referee

5) DUTIES OF THE REFEREES, 3RD REFEREE, TIMEKEEPER

REFEREES AND OFFICIALS
International Games
Two IFA appointed referees will officiate at ALL international games. A third referee and timekeeper will be located at the
officials table situated at the halfway line.

The referee’s duties include:

➢ Keep games times (where necessary)
➢ Enforce the IFA Laws of the game
➢ Play advantage where possible during the game
➢ Report to the authorities any incidents which may require disciplinary action to be taken against players, team officials,
before during or after a game.
➢ Take necessary action against players during a game that are guilty of cautionable and/or sending off offences.
➢ Stop the game if in the opinion of the referee a player is seriously injured.
➢ Ensure all the equipment used during a game complies with IFA requirements/standards.
➢ Dismiss any team official or spectator guilty of misconduct without the use of a red card.
➢ Ensuring any dismissed person leaves the playing area of the game completely.
➢ In the rare event of the two match officials disagreeing, the 1st referee's decision will be final.

In matches where a 3rd referee is appointed, his duties will include:

➢ Assist the timekeeper.
➢ Keep a record of the accumulated team fouls as signaled by the referee for each half of the game and display on
timekeepers table.
➢ Keep a record of time outs.
➢ Record the scorer’s shirt numbers.
➢ Record name and number of players cautioned or dismissed.
➢ Keep timing the 2-minute punishment period for players dismissed.
➢ Monitor conduct of persons on each team bench and report inappropriate behavior to the Referee.
➢ Signal/inform game referees when an obvious error has been made in cautioning or sending off the wrong player, or if an
act of violence has been committed outside of their range of vision.
➢ Replace either of the referees in the event of an injury.
➢ Assist in any other way relevant to the game.

THE DECISIONS OF THE REFEREE REGARDING FACTS CONNECTED WITH PLAY ARE FINAL

6) THE DURATION OF THE MATCH

International Matches
International matches are made up of two equal halves of 20 minutes each - “Stop the Clock” (Every time the ball goes 'out of
play' the timekeeper stops the game clock and restarts it each time the ball goes back into play).
Time may ONLY be added on to 'normal' time (At the end of each half) for the taking of a penalty (6 metre or 10 metre), should
this be necessary. If a shot has been taken before time has elapsed, and time elapses whilst the ball is in the air, the referee will
allow the outcome of the kick to be known. Once the outcome of the kick has been known, the referee will then signal full
time.

A maximum 1 x 1 minute time out each half is allowed per team.

➢ Team officials must ask the referee for a time out, but only when their team is in possession of the ball.
➢ Players are permitted to leave the pitch during the timeout (i.e. to take on fluids to avoid any spillage on the pitch).
Substitutes must stay off.
➢ Substitutions may only be made at the end of a time out.
➢ No time outs are allowed in extra time.

The half time break is 15 minutes.

7) THE START OF THE MATCH

All Games
The team which is listed on the official score sheet first will kick off the first half – the other team shall start the second half of
the game.

Both teams must have all their players in their own half of the court prior to a kick off being taken.

When the referee blows the whistle, the ball should be touched or kicked in a forward direction and will then be deemed to be
in play.

A goal cannot be scored directly from the kick off.

The player who 'kicked off' may not touch the ball a second time until the ball has been played/touched by another team
member or an opponent.

All opponents should remain a minimum of three (3) metres from the ball at kick off until the ball is touched after the referees'
whistle to start the game.

DROPPED BALL: Where the game has been stopped for reasons not included within the IFA Laws of the Game the referee will
restart the game with a dropped ball. The ball will be dropped, with the ball needing to hit the ground before a player can play
the ball. A goal cannot be scored directly from a drop ball. If the ball enters the goal directly from a drop ball, play will be
restarted with a goal clearance to the opposition.

8) WHEN IS THE BALL OUT OF PLAY?

In ALL situations during a game of futsal, the whole of the ball must cross the whole of the line to affect play (goals, corners,
out of play etc.). This is the same should the ball be 'on the ground' or 'in the air' at the time.

The ball is deemed 'still in play' if it rebounds back onto the court from the goalposts, crossbar or referees whilst they are on
the court.

Should the ball touch anything overhanging the court (net/ceiling etc.), play is restarted by a kick-in (taken by the opponents of
the team who last kicked the ball) from the sideline nearest to the point where the ball struck the object.

At the taking of a kick in, the ball is deemed in play when it is kicked and enters the pitch.

All players should play to the whistle at all times.

9) THE METHOD OF SCORING
A goal is scored when the whole of the ball crosses the whole of the goal line between the posts and under the crossbar,
provided that the attacking team had not infringed the “Laws of the Game” in scoring the goal.

The team scoring the MOST goals in the match are declared the winners.

A goal may be celebrated but it should be in moderation and not offensive or (unsporting) towards the opposing team. Neither
should it be prolonged to delay the restart of play.

You may score a goal from anywhere on the futsal court in general play. There is of course, NO offside in futsal.

10) FOULS AND MISCONDUCT

DIRECT FREE KICKS
Offences committed, which are punished with a DIRECT free kick to the opposing team include:
Handball (including goalkeepers outside their penalty areas)
Kicking or attempting to kick an opponent
Pushing an opponent
Tackling an opponent
Tripping or attempting to trip an opponent
Jumping on an opponent
Charging an opponent (including shoulder to shoulder)
Striking or attempting to strike an opponent
Holding an opponent
Spitting at an opponent
Slide tackling (except by a goalkeeper in his/her own penalty area if executed in a safe manner in attempting to prevent a goal
being scored).

Serious Foul Play is when a player uses excessive force or brutality against an opponent when challenging for the ball when it is
in play. Any player who lunges at an opponent with one or both legs from the side or from behind with excessive force,
endangering the safety of an opponent is guilty of serious foul play.

Violent Conduct can occur on or off the futsal court, regardless of whether the ball is in play or not. If excessive force or
brutality is used against an opponent without either of them challenging for the ball the player is guilty of violent conduct.
This also applies to excessive force or brutality used against a team mate or other person

All the above are ACCUMULATED TEAM FOULS

The resulting free kick is taken from the point of infringement and may be defended by the opposition no closer than five (5)
metres to the ball, unless the infringement occurs within the penalty area where a penalty kick shall be awarded. If the
infringement occurs while the ball is in play but off the court, a drop ball will be the restart of play.

Any infringement punishable by a direct free kick committed by a team after 5 team fouls have been awarded against them (in
one half of the game) sees the ball repositioned on the 2 nd penalty mark – 10 metres from the goal line, with NO defensive wall
permitted. If the infringement committed by the defending team occurred inside their own penalty area, a Penalty Kick is
awarded. If the infringement occurred outside the penalty area, but closer to the goal then the 2nd penalty mark, the attacking
team has the choice to the take the direct free wick without a wall from the 2 nd penalty mark or from where the offence
occurred.

If a foul is committed against the defending team in their own penalty area, the resulting free kick may be taken from any point
inside the penalty area. The ball must leave the penalty area before it is deemed to be in play and before it can be played by
another player. If the ball is played by another player before it leaves the penalty area, the kick is retaken.

INDIRECT FREE KICKS

Offences committed which are punished with an indirect free kick to the opposing team include:

Playing in a dangerous manner. Example: a high foot but not making contact during a challenge for the ball.

Playing/touching the ball twice from a set play (e.g. Kick Offs, corners etc.) before another player has touched the ball.

Impeding an opponent. This occurs when a player prevents an opponent reaching the ball by using his/her body when he/she
is not within playing distance of the ball.
Offences committed by the goalkeeper punishable by an indirect free kick include:
➢ Being in possession of the ball for more than 4 seconds in his/her own half of the court.
➢ Handling the ball (inside his/her penalty area) from a deliberate back pass or kick in from a team mate.
➢ Sliding outside of his/her penalty area (without making contact with an opposition player).
➢ Two touch (See Law 17)

Any act of simulation intended to deceive the referees will be regarded as unsporting behaviour and may result in a caution to
the player concerned.

Infringing the substitution rule.

Dissent to any match official.

Where the Referee must stop play to issue a caution

Playing the ball whilst on the ground (prone) if an opponent is within playing distance of the ball.

If a player deliberately attempts to circumvent any IFA Futsal Laws during a game, the player will be guilty of unsporting
behavior and may be cautioned.

Any other technical breach of the rules as determined by the referee.

Indirect free kicks are taken from the point of infringement as indicated by the referee.

CAUTIONABLE OFFENCES for players/substitutes (Yellow Card)

➢ Unsporting behavior.
➢ Dissent by Word or Action
➢ Persistent infringement of the AFA Laws of the Game.
➢ Delaying the restart of the game.
➢ Not retiring the required distance from corners, free kicks etc.
➢ Leaving the court without the referee’s permission.
➢ Entering or re-entering the court without the referee’s permission.

SENDING OFF OFFENCES for players and substitutes (Red Card)

➢ Serious foul play (see Law 10)
➢ Violent conduct (see Law 10)
➢ Spitting at a player or another person
➢ Denying the opposing team, a goal or an obvious goal scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball (this does not
apply to a goalkeeper within his own penalty area.
➢ Denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player’s goal by an offence punishable
by a Direct Free Kick or Penalty Kick.
➢ Using offensive, abusive or insulting language or gestures
➢ Receiving a second yellow card in the same game

(Dismissed players must not take further part in the match and leave the playing area completely before the game can be
restarted).

After a period of two minutes the team with four players may add a 5 th from their substitute’s bench. However, if the
opposition score a goal within the two-minute time period the team with 4 players may add their 5th immediately.

Referees may dismiss team officials and / or spectators who are showing dissent to match officials or acting in an offensive
manner. Any guilty person must leave the vicinity of the playing area and/or the venue as directed by the referee. Any team
official removed from the technical area MAY be subject to disciplinary action based on the referee’s report.

11) FREE KICKS – DIRECT OR INDIRECT (See Law 10 Fouls and Misconduct)
A goal may be scored 'directly' from a direct free kick, including penalty kicks.
A goal cannot be scored from an INDIRECT FREE KICK unless the ball touches another player before it enters the goal.
ALL defending players MUST be at least 5 metres from the ball in all free kick situations.
The player has a maximum of four (4) seconds in which to take a free kick as indicated by the referee.
No free kick can be taken closer than 6 metres to an opponent’s goal (i.e. within a penalty area).
12) PENALTY KICKS
When a “Direct Free Kick” offence (committed by the defending team) occurs inside the penalty area, a penalty is awarded to
the attacking team.

The ball is placed on the penalty mark, six (6) metres from the goal line.
The goalkeeper must remain on the goal line until the ball is kicked. All other players must be behind the line of the ball, no
closer to the ball than 5 metres and NOT able to obstruct the nominated penalty taker in any way.

The nominated penalty taker MUST shoot for goal.

The penalty taker may not touch the ball a second time until after it has been touched by another player.

Time may be added on to normal game time to facilitate a penalty being taken (if necessary).
➢ If a team mate of the penalty taker infringes the laws;
a) If a goal is scored – the penalty shall be retaken.
b) If a goal is not scored – the game will restart with an indirect free kick to the defending team at the point where the
infringement took place.
c) If both teams infringe the laws – the penalty shall be retaken.
➢ If a defender infringes the laws;
a) If a goal is scored – it still stands
b) If a goal is not scored – the penalty shall be retaken.
c) If both teams infringe the laws – the penalty shall be retaken.

13) ACCUMULATED TEAM FOULS (See Law 10 Fouls and Misconduct)

All teams are permitted five (5) “team fouls” (direct fouls) in each half of the game. If this is exceeded the sixth (6) and all
subsequent team fouls for that half of the game are punished with a 10 metre penalty to the opposing team to which no
defending wall or players apart from the goalkeeper is allowed.

Even if a referee plays the advantage to a player that may avoid one or more attempts to foul him/her on the way to scoring or
attempting to score a goal, the team fouls will still be recorded against the offending team.

For a 10 metre penalty the ball is placed on the 10 metre or second penalty mark. All players except the defending goalkeeper
must be behind the “line of the ball” and remain at least 10 metres from their own goal line until the ball is kicked by the
nominated penalty taker. They must remain no closer than 5 metres to the ball or in any position to obstruct the penalty taker,
who must shoot for goal.

The goal keeper may advance to within 5 metres of the ball prior to the penalty being taken.

Additional time will be added to allow for this 10 metre penalty to be taken at the end of each half of the game (if necessary)
or at the end of each period of extra time.

Should the game go into extra time the team foul count from the 2 nd half of the game will continue during the extra time
periods for both teams?
➢ Should a team mate of the penalty taker infringe the laws;
a) If a goal is scored – the penalty will be retaken.
b) If a goal is not scored – an indirect free kick will be awarded to the defending team from the 10 metre penalty mark.
c)If both teams infringe the laws – the penalty shall be retaken.

➢ Should a defender infringe the laws;

a) If a goal is scored – it still stands
b) If a goal is not scored – the penalty shall be retaken
c) If both teams infringe the laws – the penalty shall be retaken.

14) KICK-INS
A kick in is awarded to a team when and where the ball wholly crosses the side line after last being touched by an opposition
player

The player taking the kick-in, takes it from the point where it crossed the side line or as indicated by the referee. The ball can be
placed on the line, to a maximum of 25cm behind the line, both feet must be on or outside of the sideline and the player has 4
seconds to put the ball into play. If the player has a foot wholly over the sideline when the kick-in is taken, the kick-in
automatically goes to the opposing team from the same location.
Opposing team members must be a minimum of 5 metres from the ball during a kick-in.

The player has 4 seconds to execute the kick-in from the time he/she is in position to take the kick in (Failure to comply results
in the kick in being awarded to the other team from the same point on the sideline).

The ball is deemed “in play” when the ball is kicked and enters the pitch. The player taking the kick-in may not touch the ball a
second time until it has touched another player.

15) CORNER KICKS

A corner is awarded when the ball crosses the goal line after last touching a player of the defending team.

The ball is placed on the point where the side line and goal line meet, or within the corner 'quadrant' (if so marked). The ball is
deemed in play when it is kicked and moves. The player from the attacking team may only take the corner kick and has four (4)
seconds to take the kick once in position at the corner.

A goal may be scored directly from a corner, but only in the opponent’s goal. If the ball directly enters the goal of the player
taking the corner, play will be restarted with a corner to the opposition.
The player taking the corner kick may not touch the ball a second time until the ball has touched another player.

Defending players must be at least 5 metres from the ball when a corner
Kick is being taken.

➢ If the corner kick is not taken within 4 seconds, play is restarted with a goal clearance to the opposition.
➢ If the player taking the corner kick touches the ball a second time before another player touches it, an indirect free kick
shall be awarded to the opposing team from the point where the ball was touched a second time.
➢ For any other infringement the corner kick shall be retaken.

16) THE GOALKEEPERS

Each team MUST have a nominated goalkeeper on the court at all times. The goalkeeper is to be easily identified from his/her
team mates.

Goalkeepers have four (4) seconds on the ball (in possession) in their own half of the court.
Goalkeepers may drop, or punt kick the ball at any time in general play.
Goalkeepers may NOT handle the ball outside of their penalty area (“D”)
Goalkeepers may NOT 'slide tackle' outside of their penalty area (“D”)
Goalkeepers may only slide 'side on' (NOT feet first or in a dangerous manner) in their penalty area in preventing a goal from
being scored.
(Any slide MUST start and finish wholly within the goalkeeper’s own penalty area)

GOAL CLEARANCE
Goalkeepers must throw the ball into play when restarting with a 'goal clearance' (After the ball has crossed his/her goal line
when last being touched by an opponent).

If the ball doesn't leave the defending goalkeepers penalty area the throw must be retaken.

If the goalkeeper fails to throw the ball into play within 4 (four) seconds as indicated by the referee, an indirect free kick shall
be awarded to the opponents from six (6) metres out from the goal line.

Goalkeepers may ONLY wear long pants whilst playing in the position of “goalkeeper”.
No long pants are to be worn by court players at any time.

17) TWO TOUCH RULE

When a goalkeeper plays the ball to a team mate, the goalkeeper may not receive the ball back again in his/her OWN HALF
until it has been touched by an opposing player. If the goalkeeper is playing the ball in the attacking half, the two-touch rule
does not apply unless the goalkeeper then plays the ball again his/her own half.

An indirect free kick will be awarded to the opposing team should the goalkeeper infringe this law. The free kick is to be taken
from where the goalkeeper played the ball a second time. At no time can this indirect free kick be taken from a point closer to
the opponent’s goal line than 6 metres.

A goalkeeper is unrestricted in his/her opponent’s half of the court. He/she may retain possession of the ball for an unlimited
amount of time and may receive the ball with no
Restrictions or exceptions from team mates.
18) DETERMING WINNERS OF MATCHES
International Tournament Games
Where a winner must be decided, if the scores are tied at full time a 5 (five) minutes each way “Golden Goal” extra time will be
played. If either team scores during the extra time period, the game is immediately stopped and the team that scored are
declared winners.

If after these extra time periods, the scores are still tied then a penalty shoot-out will occur. The referee will select the end of
the court for the penalty shoot-out. Each team will nominate their initial 3 penalty takers who will alternately take their kicks.
The game will be completed if either team has at least a one (1) goal clear advantage at the end of the three (3) compulsory
penalty kicks by each team.

If, after the 3 compulsory kicks, the score is still tied, the penalty shoot-out continues with one shot from each teams'
remaining players (teams start with equal numbers for the penalty shoot-out). A winner is declared when either team has at
least a one goal advantage after an equal number of kicks per team.

Teams entering tournaments should read tournament rules to be familiarize themselves as to how a winner is determined at
that tournament and all other tournament rules.

THE INTERNATIONAL FUTSAL ALLIANCE ENDORSES FAIR PLAY AND ENCOURAGE PARTICIPANTS TO PLAY WITH THIS IN MIND