FIFA Futsal – Laws of the Game 2014/2015
These are some general rules, extracted from the official FIFA Rules. It not too much detailed but it will give you a wide knowledge about the game.
Pitch markings
The pitch must be rectangular and marked with lines. These lines belong to the areas of which they are boundaries and must be clearly distinguishable from the colour of the pitch.
The two longer boundary lines are called touch lines. The two shorter lines are called goal lines.
The pitch is divided into two halves by a halfway line, which joins the midpoints of the two touch lines.
The centre mark is indicated at the midpoint of the halfway line. A circle with a radius of 3m is marked around it.
A mark must be drawn outside the pitch, 5m from the corner arc and at right angles to the goal line, to ensure that defending players retreat this distance when a corner kick is being taken. The width of this mark is 8cm.
Two additional marks, each at a distance of 5m to the left and the right of the second penalty mark, must be made on the pitch to indicate the minimum distance to be retreated when a kick is being taken from the second penalty mark. The width of this mark is 8cm.
Goals
A goal must be placed on the centre of each goal line.
A goal consists of two upright posts equidistant from the corners and joined at the top by a horizontal crossbar. The goalposts and crossbar must be made of wood, metal or other approved material. They must be square, rectangular, round or elliptical in shape and must not be dangerous to players.
The distance (inside measurement) between the posts is 3m and the distance from the lower edge of the crossbar to the ground is 2m.
Both goalposts and the crossbar have the same width and depth, 8cm. The nets must be made of hemp, jute or nylon or other approved material and are attached to the back of the goalposts and the crossbar with a suitable means of support. They must be properly supported and must not interfere with the goalkeeper.
The goalposts and crossbars must be of a different colour from the pitch.
The goals must have a stabilising system that prevents them from overturning. Portable goals may only be used if they satisfy this requirement.
The Ball – Qualities and measurements
The ball is: • spherical • made of leather or other approved material • of a circumference of not more than 64cm and not less than 62cm • not more than 440g and not less than 400g in weight at the start of the match • of a pressure equal to 0.6 – 0.9 atmosphere (600 – 900g/cm2) at sea level • the ball may not bounce less than 50cm or more than 65cm on the first rebound when dropped from a height of 2m.
Players
A match is played by two teams, each consisting of not more than five players, one of whom is the goalkeeper. A match may not start if either team consists of fewer than three players. The match is abandoned if one of the teams has fewer than three players on the pitch.
Basic equipment
The basic compulsory equipment of a player comprises the following separate items: • A jersey or shirt – if undergarments are worn, the colour of the sleeve must be the same main colour as the sleeve of the jersey or shirt • Shorts – if undershorts are worn, they must be of the same main colour as the shorts. The goalkeeper is permitted to wear long trousers • Stockings – if tape or similar material is applied externally it must be the same colour as that part of the stocking it is applied to • Shinguards • Footwear – canvas or soft leather training or gymnastic shoes with soles of rubber or a similar material
Periods of play
The match lasts two equal periods of 20 minutes, unless otherwise mutually agreed between the referee and the two teams. Any agreement to alter the duration of the periods of play must be made before the start of play and must comply with the competition rules.
Time-out
The teams are entitled to a one-minute time-out in each period.
Goal scored
A goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, between the goalposts and under the crossbar, provided that no infringement of the Futsal Laws of the Game has been committed previously by the team scoring the goal.
Fouls
Fouls are penalised with a direct free kick, penalty kick or indirect free kick.