RULES

All USFF Rules apply in addition to the official Tournament Series Rules.

Here are some USFF Rules highlights that might be helpful to review before the next tournament:

While futsal is quite similar to soccer there are a few important differences that some parents and players may be unaware of that may make the game more understandable. Most spectators figure out quickly that it’s 5v5, uses a slightly different ball, has kick-ins instead of throw ins, etc… But here are a few more nuanced rule differences.

• In futsal, there is no offside rule, which means that players can get much closer to the goal during play.
• Goalkeepers must perform a ‘goal clearance’ rather than a goal kick; they must throw the ball out of the area, and have 4 seconds to release it.
• Kick ins from the sidelines are indirect and must also be taken within 4 seconds or result in a turnover.
• Fouls resulting in a direct kick are kept track of by referee and after five such offenses, each subsequent foul will result in a free kick without a wall from certain spots on the field based on where the infraction occurred. This appears very similar to a penalty kick in traditional soccer but can be caused by any rule infraction that would ordinarily incur a direct kick.