Futsal - FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association)
Excerpts from rules and regulations pertaining to kicking
1. THE PITCH
  • The Goals
    • The goals shall be placed in the middle of each goal line. They shall consist of two upright posts equidistant from each corner and joined at the top by a horizontal crossbar.
    • The distance (inside measurement) between the posts shall be 3 m and the distance from the lower edge of the crossbar to the ground shall be 2 m.
    • The goalposts and the crossbar shall have the same width and depth, 8 cm. The goal lines shall be the same width as the goalposts and the crossbar. Nets, made of hemp, jute or nylon, shall be attached to the back of the goalposts and crossbar. The lower part of the nets shall be attached to curved tubing or another suitable means of support.
    • The depth of the goal, i.e. the distance between the inside edge of the goalposts and the back of the net, shall be at least 80 cm at the top and 100 cm at ground level.
    • The goals shall have a stabilising system that prevents them from overturning. Portable goals may be used provided that they are as stable as normal goals.
2. THE BALL
  • The ball shall be:
    • spherical
    • made of leather or another suitable material
    • of a circumference of not less than 62 cm and not more than 64 cm
    • not less than 400 grams nor more than 440 grams in weight at the start of the match
    • of a pressure equal to 0.4-0.6 atmospheres (400–600g/cm2) at sea level
  • Decisions
    • 1. Felt balls are not permitted for international matches.
    • 2. The ball may not bounce less than 50 cm or more than 65 cm on the fi rst rebound when dropped from a height of 2 m.
    • In competition matches, only balls that meet the minimum technical requirements stipulated in Law 2 shall be permitted for use.
4. THE PLAYER'S EQUIPMENT
  • The basic compulsory equipment of a player comprises the following separate articles:
    • footwear - the only types of footwear permitted are canvas or soft-leather training or gymnastic shoes with soles of rubber or a similar material
9. THE START AND RESTART OF PLAY
  • Kick-off
    • A kick-off is a way of starting or restarting play:
      • at the start of the match;
      • after a goal has been scored
      • at the start of the second half of the match
      • at the start of each period of extra time
    • A goal may be scored directly from the kick-off.
    • Procedure
      • all players shall be in their own half of the field
      • the opponents of the team taking the kick-off must be at least 3 m from the ball until it is in play
      • the ball shall be stationary on the centre mark
      • the referee shall give a signal
      • the ball shall be deemed in play from the moment it is kicked and moves forward
      • the kicker may not touch the ball for a second time before it has been touched by another player
    • After a team scores a goal, the kick-off shall be taken by the other team.
  • Dropped ball
    • A dropped ball is a way of restarting the match after a temporary stoppage for any reason not mentioned in the Laws of the Game, provided that prior to the stoppage the ball was in play and had not crossed either the touch lines or goal lines.
    • Procedure
      • One of the referees shall drop the ball at the place where it was situated when play was stopped
    • Special circumstances
      • A free kick awarded to the defending team in its own penalty area may be taken from any point inside that penalty area.
      • An indirect free kick awarded to the attacking team in the penalty area of the opposing team shall be taken from the penalty area line at the point nearest to where the offence was committed.
      • A dropped ball to restart play after it has been temporarily stopped inside the penalty area shall be taken from the penalty area line at the point nearest to the position of the ball when play was stopped.
11. THE METHOD OF SCORING
  • Goal scored
    • A goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line
    • between the goalposts and under the crossbar, unless a member of the attacking team, including the goalkeeper, has deliberately carried, thrown or struck the ball with his hands or arms, and provided that the scoring team has not previously infringed the Laws of the Game.
  • Competition regulations
    • If the competition regulations state that a match shall end with a winning team or if a play-off match ends in a draw, only the following procedures shall be taken into account:
      • the number of goals scored away from home
      • extra time
      • kicks taken from the penalty mark
12. FOULS AND MISCONDUCT
  • Direct free kick
    • A direct free kick shall be awarded to the opposing team if a player
    • commits any of the following six infringements in a manner considered
    • by the referees to be careless, reckless or excessively forceful:
      • kicking or attempting to kick an opponent
      • tripping or attempting to trip an opponent, either by sliding or by bending down in front of or behind an opponent,
      • jumping on an opponent
      • charging an opponent
      • striking or attempting to strike an opponent
      • pushing an opponent
    • A direct free kick shall also be awarded to the opposing team if a
    • player commits any of the following fi ve infringements:
      • holding an opponent
      • spitting at an opponent
      • sliding in an attempt to play the ball while an opponent is playing it or is about to play it (sliding tackle), except for the goalkeeper in his own penalty area, provided that he does not endanger the safety of an opponent
      • touching the opponent before the ball when attempting to win possession
      • carrying, striking or throwing the ball with one’s hands or arms, except for the goalkeeper in his own penalty area
    • The direct free kick shall be taken from the place where the infringement occurred, unless the free kick has been awarded to the defending team in its own penalty area, in which case the free kick may be taken from any point inside the penalty area.
  • Penalty kick
    • A penalty kick shall be awarded if a player commits any of the aforementioned infringements inside his own penalty area, irrespective of the position of the ball but provided that it is in play.
  • Indirect free kick
    • An indirect free kick shall be awarded to the opposing team if a goalkeeper commits any of the following offences:
      • after clearing the ball, he touches it again with his hands before it has been played or touched by an opponent
      • he touches or controls the ball with his hands after it has been deliberately kicked to him by a team-mate
      • he touches or controls the ball with his hands after he has received it directly from a kick-in taken by a team-mate
      • he touches or controls the ball with his hands or feet in his own half for more than four seconds
    • An indirect free kick shall also be awarded to the opposing team from the place where the infringement occurred, if, in the opinion of the referee, a player:
      • plays in a dangerous manner
      • deliberately obstructs an opponent
      • prevents the goalkeeper from throwing the ball with his hands
      • commits any other infringement not previously mentioned in Law 12 for which play is stopped to caution or dismiss a player
    • The indirect free kick shall be taken from the place where the infringement occurred
13. FREE KICKS
  • Types of free kick
    • Free kicks are either direct or indirect.
    • For both direct and indirect free kicks, the ball shall be stationary when the kick is taken and the kicker may not touch the ball a second time until it has touched another player.
  • The direct free kick
    • If a direct free kick directly enters the opponents’ goal, a goal shall be awarded.
  • The indirect free kick
    • A goal shall only be awarded if the ball touches another player before it enters the goal.
  • Position of free kick
    • All opponents shall be situated at least 5 m from the ball until it is in play. The ball shall be deemed in play after it has been touched or played.
    • When a defending team is taking a free kick from inside its own penalty area, all opponents shall remain outside said area. The ball shall be deemed in play immediately after it has left the penalty area.
15. THE PENALTY KICK
  • The penalty kick
    • A penalty kick is awarded against a team that commits any of the infringements for which a direct free kick is awarded inside its own penalty area and while the ball is in play.
    • A goal may be scored directly from a penalty kick.
    • Additional time shall be allowed for a penalty kick to be taken at the end of each half or at the end of each period of extra time.
  • Position of the ball and the players
    • The ball shall be placed on the penalty mark
    • The player taking the penalty kick shall be duly nominated
    • The defending goalkeeper shall stay on his goal line, facing the kicker and between the goalposts until the ball has been put into play
    • The players other than the kicker shall be situated:
      • on the pitch
      • outside the penalty area
      • behind or to the sides of the penalty mark
      • at least 5 m from the penalty mark
  • Procedure
    • The player taking the penalty shall kick the ball forward
    • He may not play the ball a second time until it has touched another player
    • The ball shall be deemed in play from the moment it is kicked and set in motion
    • When a penalty kick is taken during normal time or when time has been extended at half-time or full time, a goal shall be awarded if, before passing between the goalposts and under the crossbar: the ball touches either or both goalposts, the crossbar or the goalkeeper
16. THE KICK-IN
  • The kick-in
    • The kick-in is a method of restarting play.
    • A goal may not be scored directly from a kick-in.
    • A kick-in:
      • shall be awarded when the whole of the ball crosses the touch line, either along the ground or through the air, or hits the ceiling
      • shall be taken from the place where the ball crossed the touch line
      • shall be awarded to the opponents of the player who last touched the ball
  • Position of the ball and the players The ball:
    • shall remain stationary on the touch line
    • may be kicked back onto the pitch in any direction
  • The player taking the kick-in:
    • shall have part of one foot on the touch line or off the pitch at the moment he takes the kick-in
  • Procedure
    • the player taking the kick-in shall do so within 4 seconds of receiving the ball
    • the player taking the kick-in may not play the ball a second time until it has touched another player
    • the ball shall be deemed in play as soon as it enters the pitch
    • The players of the defending team shall be at least 5 m from the place where the kick-in is taken
18. THE CORNER KICK
  • The corner kick A corner kick is a method of restarting play.
    • A goal may be scored directly from a corner kick, but only against the opposing team.
    • A corner kick shall be awarded when the whole of the ball, having last touched a player of the defending team, crosses the goal line either along the ground or through the air, and a goal is not scored in accordance with Law 11
  • Procedure
    • the ball shall be placed inside the corner arc at the nearest corner
    • the opponents shall remain at least 5 m away from the corner arcuntil the ball is in play
    • the ball shall be kicked by a member of the attacking team
    • the ball shall be deemed in play from the moment it is played and set in motion
    • the kicker may not play the ball a second time until it has touched another player