WAIBOP FUTSAL RULES 

THE COURT AND BALL

• Full size court: 40m x 20m with full futsal markings (The Peak, Hamilton)
• Community court: netball or basketball courts (markings vary at different venues)
• U9 and U11: Size 3 ball
• U13+: Size 4 ball

THE NUMBER OF PLAYERS

• Junior teams may have a maximum of 10 players registered per team. High School and Senior teams may have a maximum of 14 players registered per team. To maximise game time, we recommend 8 players present on match day (or somewhere between 7-10).
• 5 players are on the court at one time, 4 court players and 1 goalkeeper.
• There are unlimited “flying” substitutions. Players can re-enter the game from their own defensive sub-zone without notifying the referee. A substitute cannot enter the court until the player coming off has left the court.
• The referee must be notified if the goalkeeper is changed.
• All players must be registered to WaiBOP Futsal to be eligible to play. Information on 'fill in players' and being registered for more than one team can be found in the WaiBOP Futsal regulations.

THE PLAYER’S EQUIPMENT

• SHIN PADS MUST BE WORN – NO SHIN PADS = NO PLAYING.
• Socks must be long enough to cover shin pads.
• All players within a team must wear the same colour playing shirt, except for the goalkeeper who must either wear a different coloured shirt or a bib.
• All players must wear non-marking footwear.

THE DURATION OF THE MATCH

• The games will be 2 x 18-minute halves with a 2-minute break for half time. The clock will start on your stated time, so make sure you arrive on time!

THE START AND RESTART OF PLAY

• From a kickoff, the ball is in play once it is kicked and moves [in any direction].
• The opposing team must be outside of the centre circle.

THE BALL IN AND OUT OF PLAY

• When the ball goes out over the sideline, it is then placed on the sideline. From a stationary position, the ball is kicked into the court.
• The player taking the kick-in can have their non-kicking foot anywhere. (There are no longer foot fouls at kick-ins)
• All kick-ins (including corners and free kicks) must be completed within 4 seconds. The 4 seconds begins at the referee’s discretion.
• For a ball to be out of play or a goal scored; all of the ball must be over the line.

• A goal cannot be scored directly from a kick-in unless it touches another player.
• All opposing players must be at least 5 metres from the ball.

FREE KICKS

• Players can score from direct free kicks, but not from indirect free kicks.
• Players have 4 seconds to take a free kick.
• All opposing players must be at least 5 metres from the ball.

FOULS AND MISCONDUCT

• Sliding and playing on the ground is permitted when not endangering a player.
• During the game, a referee has the option of using 2 cards (yellow and red). A player is sent off if they receive two yellow cards or one red card.
• When a player is sent off, the player that committed the offence remains off for the duration of the game. After two minutes of play, or if the opposing team scores a goal, the team that had a player sent off can play a substitute to make five players once again.
• Handball – it is an offence if a player scores a goal or creates a goalscoring opportunity when the ball touches their hand or arm [even if completely accidental].
• Red card for denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity [DOGSO] – If a goalkeeper is just in front of his/her goal to guard it, it is considered that no DOGSO offence can be committed.
• There is NO offside.

ACCUMULATED FOULS

• A team may commit 5 fouls per half. On the 6th foul, and for every subsequent foul, a direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team from the second penalty mark. The foul count is reset at halftime.
• The second penalty mark (direct free kick) is 10 metres from the goal line.

THE PENALTY KICK

• A penalty kick is awarded if a team commits a direct free kick inside the penalty area.
• The penalty taker must be identified.
• All players, except the penalty taker, must be behind the ball and at least 5 metres away.

GOALKEEPERS

• Goalkeepers may only play the ball (with any part of their body) once per possession inside their own half. Once a goalkeeper has released the ball, they cannot play the ball again in their own half of the court until the opposition has touched the ball. If the goalkeeper is in the attacking half, they may then play as if they were a regular court player.
  • Making a save does not count as playing the ball
• Goalkeepers have 4 seconds to control the ball in their own half.
• Goalkeepers are not allowed to pick up a back pass from any of their teammates.
• Goalkeepers throw the ball from the goal area to restart from a goal clearance.
• Goalkeepers can kick the ball from their hands when not a goal clearance.