Competition Rules
Codes of Conduct
Principles of
the game
Futsal is widely known by the smartest educators as the best skill development game for children. At it's best, players show flair, skill, courage, intelligence and vision.
In attack, the idea of this game is to encourage a more creative, skilful player and for teams to open space to create a 1 v1, or pass & move combinations.
In defence, heavy tackling is strongly discouraged. Defenders are encouraged to jockey, steal & intercept to dispossess attackers. No slide tackles are allowed! Teams should work hard as a group to close down space.
All players must learn to attack and defend, to take a player on or close them down, and to pass & move or pressure & press.
It is the game where children learn how 1 can beat 1, 2 can beat 1, and 3 can beat 2. Players learn how to pass and move effectively.
It is a very fast game with loads of passing and ball touches for all players. Players are encouraged to shoot often, & plenty of goals are scored.
Our referees are directed to encourage the fun, skill & flair of futsal.
Competition Rules
Our club aims to develop the sport of futsal/small sided football and ensure all players enjoy the game to the full. The following club rules apply, and are refereed to ensure full enjoyment of the sport.
We expect that all players play in the spirit of the game - fast, skilful, technical, tactical.
**U9 years and above are competition (points table, semis & finals)
Health & Safety
Player safety is paramount. The following rules apply:
We abide by Football NSW Heat Policy and Lightning and Thunder Policy, and NSW Government Health Directives. Games may be played or postponed in accordance with these policies.
All players are REQUIRED to wear shinpads
All players are REQUIRED to wear closed footwear that is suitable for playing on turf. ARTIFICIAL TURF OR FOOTBALL BOOTS are preferred for play. Flat soled shoes and metal studs are NOT acceptable to wear for play.
Jewellery CANNOT be worn.
All players are required to abide by these rules.
VIOLENT BEHAVIOUR:
Those teams or individuals who do not wish to abide by the rules, or play to the spirit of the game may be de-registered. The process will be that:
The referee will write a report about behaviour(s) deemed to be serious,
The club management will discuss the matter with the individual or team officials concerned,
A letter of warning will be issued that outlines the repercussions for bad behaviour,
If the behaviour is again reported by the referee, the offender or team will be de-registered.
BORROWING:
Teams may borrow a player from their own grade or grade below if they are missing players. ALL PLAYERS WHO ARE FILLING-IN NEED TO BE APPROVED BY THE COMPETITION OFFICIAL PRIOR TO BEING ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE GAME. PLAYERS MUST REPORT TO THE CANTEEN FOR APPROVAL.
Players can only be borrowed to make up to 5 players in a team. Players cannot be borrowed to make up more then 5 players in a team (i.e. you cannot borrow to provide your team with a substitute).
For any breaches of the borrowing rules, disciplinary action will be determined on a case by case basis.
O/35 Age Group teams are allowed a maximum of 2 x U/35 players in their team.
Open Mixed teams can have a maximum of 2 males on the field at any one time.
U9 years and over are competition (points table, semis and finals).
Game Specific Rules
Competition games:
All games are 14 minutes each way for Juniors, or 19 minutes each way for Seniors. There is a one minute half-time break.
Scoring: 3 points for a win, 2 points for a score draw, 1 point for a scoreless draw, 0 points for a loss. In the event of a forfeit 3 points and a 5 goals will be awarded to the other team.
In the event teams are equal at the end of the preliminary rounds the following qualifications apply to determine team positions:
goal difference
goals for
goals against
disciplinary cards
toss of a coin
If after the end of normal time a semi-final/final match ends in a draw, extra time shall be played. Extra time will be one period of five minutes. If still equal, penalty kicks will be taken to determine the winner. In the event of a penalty shootout, each team will take 3 direct penalties. If the teams are still drawn, both teams take one penalty each until one team misses and one team scores. The scoring team wins the final.
The semi finals and the final will be played on the one night. The format is that 1st plays 4th, and 2nd plays 3rd in the semi's. The winner of each semi will progress to the final. There will be a minimum rest break of ten minutes between semi-final and final games. Semi-final games are played concurrently.
Winners and runners-up will be awarded medals.
Forfeits in Finals - if a team forfeits any finals match, that team shall be demoted to the last position in the final rankings in their competition.
Each goalkeeper must wear a shirt or bib that is coloured differently to other players.
Teams cannot borrow players for the final series unless approved by St George Futsal club officals in writing. If borrowing players they must be from the same competition level or below.
Teams borrowing players can only borrow to make up 5 players in total. You cannot borrow and have a substitute.
General Rules of Futsal /Small-Sided Football
Maximum number of players on the field at one time = 5 including 1 goalkeeper
Maximum number of players per team is ten
Unlimited interchange is allowed
The interchange procedure is that a player must be off the field via the sideline only before another player can take the field
There must be a minimum of 3 players from any one team to commence the game. If teams cannot field 3 players, they may borrow to complete the game but the game will be a forfeit. Teams can borrow only enough players to field a team of 5. No players can be borrowed to allow for substitutes
From a kick-off the other team must stand at least 3 metres away from the ball, & in their own half
From the kick-off, the ball can go in any direction but not be passed into the hands of their own goalkeeper.
From the kick-off or kick-in, a goal CANNOT can be scored directly, a goal can only be scored by touching another player first.
From any free-kick, kick-in or corner, the defensive team must be 5 metres away from the ball
From a kick-in, the ball must be placed around 30cm inside the boundary line and be stationary. The ball must be passed a distance of 1m or more for the re-start to be valid. A toe-tap by another player is not a pass, and therefore the game has not restarted.
From a kick-in, a goal can only be scored by touching another player first
From a corner, a goal can be scored directly
No slide tackles are allowed
After saving the ball a goalkeeper can throw, punt or drop-kick the ball anywhere on the field
After saving the ball, a goalkeeper can score a goal directly with his foot, but not from a throw
For a Goal kick, attacking teams must stay at the halfway line away from the goal line and cannot advance until the ball has been touched by a defender or for 4 seconds after the goalkeeper has released the ball, whichever is the sooner.
For a Goal kick, the ball must be touched by another player before it crosses half way. If it does not, an indirect free kick is awarded at the point the ball lands beyond halfway.
For a Goal kick, the goalkeeper must pass the ball within 4 seconds, and the first receiver must play the ball within 4 seconds of the ball being released by the goalkeeper.
For a Goal kick, if the ball has not been played within the permitted time, an indirect free kick will be awarded where the offence occurred.
Goalkeepers, once in control of the ball, have four seconds to release the ball
Goalkeepers can move outside the goal zone as a normal player and use their feet but not their arms or hands
The Goalkeeper's zone is 3 metres out from the goal line and the entire width of the pitch. The goalkeeper can use his/her hands to control the ball in this zone, except from a back pass. After a back pass, the goalkeeper can use any part of his/her body to control the ball except his/her hands and arms.
Kick-in's, free kicks and corners have a four second time limit when the ball must be played after the ball is placed on the ground
A goal can be scored directly from a corner kick.
If the ball touches the rope on the boundaries of the field it is out.
For kick ins/corners, the ball must be placed around 30cm inside the roped area.
For a goal to be awarded, the entire ball must cross the rope/goal line.
FREE KICKS:
INDIRECT FREE KICKS are awarded for fouls anywhere on the field except in the penalty box, for:
tripping an opponent
jumping at an opponent
charging at an opponent from behind
holding an opponent
sliding at an opponent
deliberately handling the ball, except for the goalkeeper in his/her penalty area
if a goalkeeper picks up or touches the ball with his hands from a back pass
if a goalkeeper controls the ball with part of his body for more than four seconds
If any of the above offences occur in the penalty box, a direct penalty is awarded. The direct penalty is taken from a point 6 metres from the goal line, and centred between the goal. All players must stand behind the ball, and away from the penalty taker.
For all other offences, the opposing team must be a minimum of 5m away from the ball, and a wall can be made.
If a 5th accumulated foul occurs in a half, on the 6th offence a direct penalty is awarded.
DIRECT FREE KICKS are awarded for:
kick or attempt to kick an opponent
charging at an opponent in a violent or dangerous manner
striking or attempting to strike an opponent
excessively shoulder charge an opponent
If any of the above offences occur in the penalty box or for charging at a goalkeeper, a direct penalty is awarded. The direct penalty is taken from a point 6 metres from the goal line, and centred between the goal. All players must stand behind the ball, and 2m away from the penalty taker.
YELLOW CARD OFFENCES can be awarded by the referee for all free kick offences and:
Deliberate Unsporting Behaviour
Dissent by word or action
Repeating the same offence after a warning
Delaying the Restart of Play or Time Wasting
Yellow cards to the same player on three occasions over the course of the season will result in an automatic one match ban to be served on the following game.
RED CARD OFFENCES can be awarded by the referee for any or accumulative:
Violent Behaviour
Spits at an opponent or any other person
Denies the opposing team an Obvious Goal-Scoring Opportunity
Uses Foul, Offensive and/or Abusive Language to an opponent or any other person
Receives a second yellow card in the same match
If a player is red-carded, he/she is sent off for the remainder of the game and a direct penalty is awarded. A replacement player can take the field but only after 2 minutes of game time has elapsed.
All players who receive a red card will receive a minimum 1 game suspension. Longer suspensions may be applied for more serious offences by the Competition Administrators.
VIOLENT BEHAVIOUR
Violent behaviour is defined as any of the following: spitting, punching, headbutting, fighting, hair-pulling, verbal intimidation, stalking, charging, kicking etc.
Violent behaviour will be dealt with to Football NSW standards.
Any violent behaviour by players or spectators will be dealt with in the following manner:
Perpetrator(s) will be banned from the club
Police may be called at the administrator's discretion
MISCELLANEOUS
There may be circumstances where a player requests to play in a different age group (i.e one year below). The request must be put in writing to the club officials with supporting evidence and will be assessed on a case by case basis.
Codes of Conduct
Player Code of Conduct
Do your best
Behave
Have fun
Play by the rules, learn and understand them.
Refrain from sexual harassment towards fellow players, coaches and officials.
Never argue with an official, captain, coach or manager who is there to maintain discipline and fair play.
Control your temper and avoid verbal abuse, sledging or deliberately distracting or provoking an opponent.
Be honest with the coach and referee concerning illness and injury.
Be a good sport and applaud all good play, whether they are part of your team or not.
Accept defeat with dignity and don’t seek excuses for defeat or blame the referee or anyone else.
Promote the interests of Futsal/small sided football and encourage other people to watch it or play it fairly.
Co-operate with your coach, team-mates and opponents.
Participate for your own enjoyment and benefit.
Respect those who play with honesty and fairness, and encourage others to act in the same way.
Coaches/Parents/Spectators Code of Conduct
If there is a problem, please meet with competition administrators as soon as possible. Most matters can be dealt with immediately, and in a respectful way. Do not argue with officials, referees, spectators, players, coaches or managers.
Remember that children participate in sport for their enjoyment.
Encourage children to participate, do not force them.
Focus on the child’s efforts and performance rather than winning or losing.
Encourage children always to play according to the rules and to settle disagreements without resorting to hostility or violence.
Never ridicule or yell at a child for making a mistake or losing a game.
Remember that children learn best by example.
Appreciate effort and skilful play by all participants.
Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from all of St George Futsal/Small sided football activities.
Respect officials’ decisions and teach children to do likewise.
Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.