Our #1 priority is building a safe, fun, and supportive environment for the players to enjoy.
There are NO protests regarding the outcome of the games; all decisions made by the referee are final and may not be protested or appealed.
PETS ARE PROHIBITED WITH THE EXCEPTION OF SERVICE ANIMALS.
FOOD, ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, AND SMOKING ARE PROHIBITED in gyms and fields.
Format as follows:
2nd grade & up:
5v5 (4 field players, 1 goalkeeper). Teams will have to forfeit if they don't have at least 4 players total. Games can be played 4v5. There is a 5-minute grace period in case of not enough numbers when the game is scheduled to start. HOWEVER, the game will end at the scheduled end time regardless of when it starts. THERE IS NO GRACE PERIOD AT THE END OF SEASON TOURNAMENT.
Tournament format: single elimination, no halftime.
Penalty Kicks – During a semifinal and final match, if a tie score exists at the end of regulation, the penalty kick procedure will be used to determine a winner. Overtime periods will not be used. PKs will be taken from the free throw line.
Each team will select three (3) players to kick. Teams will alternate kicks – first team to kick will be determined by rock, paper, scissors. If the score remains tied after three (3) kicks, teams will alternate kicks one at a time from the remaining players on the field until a winner is determined (sudden death). A team may change goalkeeper during the shootout.
Reffing: ZERO-TOLERANCE POLICY: Coaches are not to argue with each other or with the ref. All calls are final. Each coach is responsible for their team and their parents. Safety along with sportsmanship are the #1 priority.
Substitutions: Substitutions can take place any time. Play does NOT need to be held. HOWEVER, the incoming player cannot enter the court until the outgoing player is fully off the court. All players MUST play as close to equal amounts of time as possible.
Kick-ins: Restarts from the sideline will be kick-in (the ball must be completely stationary on the line). These restarts are indirect (one cannot score from a kick-in). If the kick-in results in a goal after no player but the opposition goalie touches the ball, the goal will not count and the kick-in will be retaken. Coaches should encourage players to take no more than 4 seconds to kick the ball in.
Corner kicks: Corner kicks will be taken as usual. Players CAN score from a corner kick.
Goalkicks and Pressing:
For K through 3rd grade: Goalkeepers (or the defender closest to the goal) will start with the ball in their hands in front of the goal. All opposition players must drop to the halfway line. Play is live once an on-field player has touched the ball
For 4th grade and up: Goalkeepers will start with the ball in their hands in front of the goal. All opposition players must drop past the 3-point line. Play is live once the goalkeeper lets go of the ball.
Goalkeepers in futsal:
For 2nd and 3rd grade: Players are able to pass it back to their goalkeeper. However, a goalkeeper may not pick up the ball unless it is for a goalkick or if the last player to touch the ball is an opposition player. Goalkeepers may NOT throw or punt the ball passed the halfway line.
For 4th grade and up: Once the ball is in play, players cannot pass it back to the GK until the ball goes out of bounds or an opposition player touches the ball. An illegal passback will result in an indirect free-kick outside the 3-point line. Goalkeepers may only handle the ball with their hands inside the three-point line. Goalkeepers may not throw passed the halfway line. A ball landing passed the halfway line will result on an indirect free kick on the halfway line.
Punting: No punting or drop-kicks allowed.
Throwing the ball: Goalkeepers cannot throw the ball past the halfway line. The ball must bounce inside a team’s own half before crossing over to the other team’s half.
Offsides: There are NO off-sides. HOWEVER, players should NOT be encouraged to cherry-pick.
Handballs: Unintentional handballs will result in an indirect free-kick. If a goalkeeper picks up the ball after a backpass, it will result in an indirect free-kick. Intentional handballs inside the 3-point line will result in a pk.
Heading: No heading K through 6th grade. Heading will result in an indirect free-kick for the opposing team. 7th and 8th grade players may head the ball.
Sliding and Slide tackles: Sliding is allowed when not directed at a player (trying to intercept a pass, finish in front of goal, or prevent the ball from going out is OK). A slide tackle not resulting in a foul will be an indirect free kick. A slide tackle resulting in a foul will be a direct free kick (or a pk if inside the area).
Notes:
Overly competitive coaches must reel it in and focus on helping the players develop as individuals and as a team.
Although futsal games traditionally have timeouts, no league will have timeouts in the interest of allowing players to play as much as possible.
Basic Futsal Tactics:
Teams should focus on keeping possession of the ball, passing the ball, constantly moving to cover space, and understanding that all players must be involved when attacking and when defending.
Teams can line up in a diamond (1-2-1 formation), a square (2-2 formation), or a pyramid (2-1-1 formation). However, it's important to remember that players may rotate positions while keeping the basic shape. It is also important to remember that all players must be involved when attacking (even the “defenders”) and when defending (even the “forwards”).
Coaches must encourage their teams to build out from the back. In order to make it easier, it is recommended that the team get into a 3-1 formation with a single “pivot” player staying closer to the halfway line whenever the goalkeeper has the ball. Once the ball is played, teams can revert to their preferred formation.
The middle of the court is the most dangerous area! When defending, it is recommended to not chase the ball but rather to form a tight diamond in the middle and not allow the ball to be played through there. Conversely, when attacking, teams should look to pass the ball from one side to the other with the goal of creating space in the middle of the court (in front of the goal) by making the opponents chase.
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