Basic Rules of Futsal
Futsal is a five-a-side game, normally played on a flat indoor pitch with hockey sized goals and a size four ball with a reduced bounce. It is played to touchlines and all players are free to enter the penalty area and play the ball over head height. Games are 20 minutes per half, played to a stopping clock (similar to basketball) with time-outs permitted.
There are a number of differences to our traditional version of small sided football, but the dominant elements are the absence of rebound boards and amendments in the laws that encourage and foster skilful, creative play above the physical contact that tends to be a feature of English five-a-side.
Official Rules of Futsal
Like football, the laws of futsal are open to interpretation and are often changing. Find out more from the official FIFA Rules for Futsal.
At a Glance
The main differences between 11v11 football, traditional 5v5 and Futsal are summarised below:
| Traditional 5-a-Side | Futsal | Eleven-a-Side |
|---|---|---|
| Five players on court – limited substitutions. | Five players on court – rolling substitutions | Eleven players on pitch – maximum three substitutions |
| No By or End lines – use rebound boards. Ball constantly in play. | Played to lines. Ball is returned to play with a kick-in. | Played to lines. Ball returned to play with a throw-in. |
| Use of indoor or Astroturf pitch. | Use of wider and longer indoor pitch. | Use of outside grass pitch. |
| Only Goalkeepers permitted to enter penalty area. | All players allowed to enter the penalty area. | All players allowed to enter the penalty area. |
| Use of restriction to the height of the ball. | No height restriction on ball. | No height restriction on ball. Use of rectangular goals. |
| Use of football size 5 for adults. | Use of square goals (3m by 2m) Use of size 4 Futsal ball (30% reduced bounce) | Use of rectangular full-size goals. Use of football size 5 for adults. |
| Unlimited fouls. | Five foul limit. No wall for direct free kick from 10m after fifth foul. | Unlimited fouls. |
The Futsal Court
