Rules & Regulations
Based on official FIFA Futsal rules, with some league-specific variations.
FIFA Futsal Rules
Key rules from the official FIFA Futsal Laws of the Game
Players & Equipment
The Team
5 players per side including goalkeeper. Minimum 3 players required to start a match.
The Ball
Size 4 futsal ball with low bounce. Standard outdoor footballs are not used.
Substitutions
Rolling subs, unlimited, made on the fly during play. No stoppage required.
Match Rules
Match Duration
Two 18-minute halves with a 1-minute break. Running clock — no pauses except for exceptional circumstances.
Kick-off
At kick-off, the ball must move back into the kicking team's own half. The opposing team must remain behind their yellow line until the ball is played.
Kick-ins
No throw-ins. Ball is kicked in from the sideline within 4 seconds. Ball must be on the line. Failure to kick in time awards possession to the opposition.
No Offside
There is no offside rule in futsal.
Goalkeeper & Fouls
Goalkeeper
Cannot hold the ball, from a goalkick, for more than 4 seconds. Releasing late awards the opposition an indirect free kick from the top of the penalty area.
Accumulated Fouls
5+ team fouls per half result in a direct penalty kick with no wall.
Cards
Yellow = caution. Red = dismissal. Player may be replaced after 2 minutes of playing time or after the opposition scores — whichever comes first.
League Rules
Specific rules that apply to all Endeavour Hills Futsal competitions
Before the Match
Payment Before Kick-Off
All match payments must be made before the game begins. This keeps league administration manageable and ensures fixtures can run smoothly for every team.
Late Penalty
Teams are deducted 1 goal for every 2 minutes they are late, up to a maximum deficit of 5-0.
Team Absence
Teams must notify Futsal Admin staff at least 24 hours before kick-off. Failure to notify within this window results in an automatic forfeit and the team must pay their weekly match fee.
Forfeits
Forfeits are recorded as 5-0 losses. Teams that do not arrive before half-time automatically forfeit the game.
Opponent No-Show
If your scheduled opponent does not show up, your team automatically wins 5-0. You may choose to still play and pay 50% of the match fee, or choose not to play at all.
Forfeit Bond
Same-day cancellations and no-shows result in the team forfeiting its bond. Venue and staff costs still apply, and the team cannot play again until the bond is repaid.
During the Match
No Tackle From Behind
Players cannot challenge for the ball from behind — even if the ball is won cleanly. This will be called as a foul.
Fill-in Players
Fill-ins from another team are allowed only when a team is short. The team concedes 1 goal for each fill-in used, may field a maximum of 5 players, and cannot use substitutes. Fill-ins must not be used to significantly strengthen the team.
Eligibility & Finals
Semi-Finals & Finals
To play in the semi-finals and finals, players must have appeared in at least 5 games for their team across the regular season.
Suspensions
In-game red card: player is out for the remainder of the match; team may replace after 2 minutes or when opposition scores. Between matches: carry-over bans vary in length depending on the severity of the offence.