Futsal Festival Rules

Valley AFC places the responsibility of fair play upon the athletes. It is the coach's responsibility to ensure that the athletes are familiar with the rules so that the athletes are responsible for the integrity of the game. Coaches are responsible for adjudicating any discrepancies.

Rules for Futsal are almost exactly like outdoor soccer with a few exceptions:
 

Game Length

• 25 minutes (no half time)
• Coaches must register teams at least 20 minutes before their first game at the scorekeeper desk.
• Teams must be ready when the previous game is over. No practice before games.
• Each team is allowed a one minute timeout
  • Players must stay on court
  • Coaches & subs must remain on sideline
• The clock will run continuous; no time will be added to the clock for any reason

Format

• 6v6
  • 5 field players
  • 1 goalkeeper

Substitutions

• Unlimited - "On the fly" (can sub without a stoppage of play)
• The player being substituted must leave the court before the substitute can enter
• Any infringement will require the substitution to be reversed (substituted players must switch) and an indirect kick will be awarded to the opposition
• Goalie substitutions must occur with referee permission during game stoppage

Balls Out Of Play

• A line will denote the touch lines (sidelines) and goal lines which will define the field. The line is considered a part of the field of play
• A whole ball must travel beyond the line to be out of play
• When a ball is out of play on the touchline, it will be played in as a kick-in from the other team
• When a ball is out of play on the goal line, it will be a goal kick or corner-kick, depending on which team last touched the ball
• A goal kick must touch the ground within the defensive half, before crossing to the offensive half. If the ball crosses the mid-line without touching the ground, an indirect kick from the mid-line where the ball crossed, is awarded to the opposing team
• 4 Second Rule
  • All kick-ins must be taken within 4 secs of picking up ball
  • Kick-in will be awarded to the opposing team after 4 seconds

Goalkeepers

• Goalkeepers may only use their hands within the defined goalkeeper box
• Goalkeepers may roll, side-arm throw, or pass the ball out
• They may not javelin throw or punt the ball out
• As with a goal kick, a distribution by a goalkeeper must touch the ground within the defensive half, before crossing to the offensive half. If the ball crosses the mid-line without touching the ground, an indirect kick from the mid-line where the ball crossed, is awarded to the opposing team.
• 4 Second Rule
  • Keeper must throw all restarts within 4 secs. of picking up the ball and cannot handle tbe ball for more than 4 secs
• Players cannot pass back to goalkeeper unless receiving ball in opponents area from keeper.

Penalties

• All penalties will be awarded consistent with the laws of the outdoor game.
• There is no contact between players prior to touching the ball. Players can shield ball but not by using hands or arms.
• Fouls within the goalkeeper box will be awarded a penalty kick. The penalty kick will be taken from the top of the penalty area.
• Offsides: No Offsides
• First 5 fouls: a wall may be placed 6 yards from infraction point.
• After 5 fouls: no wall (everyone must be behind ball). All direct kicks must be on goal after 6th foul (no passing).
• Ejected players will not play in the team’s next game.
• Any player or coach receiving another card violation (red or yellow) who already has a red card will be ejected from the tournament. A player or coach who has a yellow card and then receives a red card in another game is also ejected from the tournament.

Equipment

• Cleated soles and turf shoes are not permitted. Flat soled indoor soccer shoes or athletic shoes are required.
• Shin guards are required for tournament play.
• Teams are required to have a dark colored jersey and alternate light colored jersey. Home team listed on the schedule is to wear the light colored jersey, but must change shirts if a color conflict occurs. Referee has the final say on what is acceptable.
• Goalkeepers must be distinguishable.

Standings - Point System

• All teams will play 3 games.  Standing will be calculated based on the following point system:
  • Win - 2 Points
  • Tie - 1 Point
  • Loss - 0 Points

Tie Breakers

• In the even of a 2 (or more) way tie the following tiebreakers will be used to determine advancement:
  1. Head to head
  2. Least losses
  3. Least goals allowed
  4. Most goals scored (Max: 4/game)
  5. Most shut-outs
  6. Most games scoring 3 or more goals
  7. Least number of red cards
  8. Least number of yellow cards

Semi Final Games

• The 4 teams with the most points in a division will play a semi final game.
• If the score remains tied at the end of regulation time, a 5 minute "sudden death" overtime period will be played, with the first team to score to be declared the winner.
• If the score still remains tied, a shootout will occur.
• FIFA PKs (modified): The kicker is limited to a one step approach. The five players to take kicks must come from the six on the field when time expires. If the score is tied after five kicks, the same five players alternate kicks until one team wins.

Championship Game

• The winners of the two semi final games will play in a championship game.
• If the score remains tied at the end of regulation time, a 5 minute "sudden death" overtime period will be played, with the first team to score to be declared the winner.
• If the score still remains tied, a shootout will occur.
• FIFA PKs (modified): The kicker is limited to a one step approach. The five players to take kicks must come from the six on the field when time expires. If the score is tied after five kicks, the same five players alternate kicks until one team wins.
• All players on the championship team will receive a championship t-shirt.