Bay Area Adult Soccer League Futsal Rules
www.baasl.org | (510) 900-9559 | info@baasl.org
Revised November 2023
BAASL follows FIFA Futsal Laws of the Game with the below BAASL-specific exceptions:
I. Court Rules
1. Sports-related activities, such as soccer, involve physical contact with other players under strenuous conditions and therefore, all BAASL participants must assume the risk of injury as a condition to participation in any BAASL-related activities.
2. A size 4 (senior) futsal ball shall be used at all times. Shin guards and footwear with rubber soles are mandatory. No jewelry, watches or casts are allowed during league games or scrimmages. Pitch markings will be determined by the markings already existing at each BAASL futsal location. One referee will be assigned to each Futsal match. There is no extra time game play. If the team forfeits, the offended team receives the win and is awarded 3 points in the standings. Futsal teams are encouraged, but do not have to change sides at halftime.
3. Yellow Card Time-out ("Sin Bin"): To ensure the safety of participants, misconduct towards BAASL referees, officials, teammates, opponents, and fans will be punished. Any player that receives a yellow card will receive a 3-minute penalty time out (50-minute games) during that game pursuant to the FIFA Laws of the Game. No players may substitute in for the timed-out player, which means that the team will play short. More than one player on the same team can receive a yellow card time-out at the same time if they both receive a yellow card. The yellow card time-out will extend into the second half if the player receives a yellow card during the end of the first half or during half-time. A yellow card time-out includes incidents of dissent and the use of offensive language on and off the field. Individual issues will be escalated to the league administrators for review. Red cards will result in the expulsion of the player from that game and/or premises.
A. A player that participates in a physical fight, or causes a fight to occur, will cause his/her team to forfeit that match and possibly the next match in addition to individual player punishment. Teams may be penalized for fan behavior or trash left on the field.
B. If a team's fan receives a yellow or red card for disruptive behavior, a player from that team currently on the pitch will be chosen by the referee to serve the yellow cardtime out or suspension, respectively. The suspension may be given to the team captain or the player that invited the offending fan.
4. Normal game length is 50 minutes with two 25 minute halves and a 5 minute halftime, unless stated otherwise. Time is not stopped if the ball is out of play or during time-outs.
A. If a game is started late, the referee may shorten game length and/or halftime as necessary. Tournament/Playoff games may be shortened to 40 minutes with two 20 minute halves to accommodate for possible penalty kick shoot-outs.
5. Time-outs: The teams are entitled to a single one-minute time-out in the entire game, however, the time will continue to run during the time-out. Pursuant to FIFA Futsal rules, a team may request a time-out only when the team that has requested it is in possession of the ball and the ball is out of play. A time-out must be requested by the designated team captain for that match and cannot be requested during the last two minutes of each half or once a penalty kick shootout has commenced. During the time-out, the players may remain on or off the pitch. In order to have a drink, the players must leave the pitch. During the time-out, the substitutes must stay off the pitch. A referee will resume play after 59 seconds regardless of whether either team is ready. If a player or team violates a rule during the time-out, a referee may award a foul against the offending team at the half-way line or the spot where the ball was last in play before the time-out.
A. Example NO. 1 of the time-out rule: If a team captain calls for a time-out with 2 minutes and 30 seconds remaining in the first half of the game while his team is in possession of the ball, the requesting team will only receive 30 seconds of their allotted time-out. This will constitute use of the team’s single time-out and that team cannot ask for another time-out for the remaining 30 seconds that they did not receive during the original time-out request. Therefore, teams should call for time-outs strategically so as not to lose any of their one-minute time-out.
B. Example NO. 2 of the time-out rule: A team captain calls for a time-out with 3 minutes and 30 seconds remaining in the first half of the game while his team is in possession of the ball. Upon the resumption of play with 2 minutes and 30 seconds remaining in the first half of the game, the other team requests their time-out. The second team requesting their time will only receive 30 seconds of their allotted time-out. This will constitute use of the team’s single time-out and that team cannot ask for another time-out for the remaining 30 seconds that they did not receive during the original time-out request.
C. Example NO. 3 of the time-out rule: A team captain calls for a time-out when his team Is about to take a corner kick. The other team cannot call for time-out at this point because they are not in possession of the ball during the corner kick.
6. Accumulated Fouls - If a referee records more than five fouls against a team during BOTH halves of the game, a penalty kick from the second penalty kick mark (see rule no. 16 penalty spot) will be awarded to the offended team beginning with the sixth accumulated foul. Regarding a 7th accumulated foul, please refer to FIFA Law 13. The issue of distance required by the GK is under consideration and to be clarified once a consensus w/the 5-referee team is reached. The game clock is not stopped when the referee awards a foul. A referee may allow play to continue by applying the advantage.
7. Kick-off procedure: Taken from the center spot, the player who has kicked the ball from a stationary position cannot touch the ball again until it has been touched by another player. A team can score on kick-off. The ball may be moved in any direction on a kick-off pursuant to FIFA rules. The referee may allow play to continue by applying the advantage to allow the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. Goals may be scored from a team’s defensive half.
8. Ball out of Play: If the ball is out of play, the ball must be returned to play within 4 seconds (“4-second rule on restarts”). A ball out of play when it has wholly crossed the goal line or touchline; when the game has been stopped by a referee; or when the ball hits the ceiling (restart: kick-in at the place closest to where the ball touched the ceiling). Touchlines and goal lines are considered inside the playing area. A goal is scored when the whole of the ball has passed over the goal line, between the goal posts and under the crossbar (except by illegal means).
9. Unlimited “Flying” substitutions: Substitutions may occur at any time without the referee’s approval, including goalkeepers. Players substituting in must enter the field from in front of their bench, which corresponds to the side that their goalkeeper is defending. Substitutions for each team must occur at the substitution zone, within 7 feet from the halfway line along the touch line on the side corresponding to the players defensive half. Players substituting out should leave the field as quickly as possible and no more than 5 players may be on the pitch at any time. If the referees have stopped play due to a substitution infringement, the match will be restarted with an indirect free kick to the opposing team from the position of the ball at the time of the stoppage. Goalkeepers can substitute when the ball is still in play and do not need the referee’s consent. Goalkeepers and substitutes must wear jerseys that are distinctive in color from all other players.
10. Kick-ins, not throw-ins - There are no throw-ins. On kick-in, the ball should be above the touch line. According to FIFA Law 15, at the moment of delivering the ball, the kicker must 1) have one foot on the touch line or on the ground outside the pitch, 2) kick the ball, which must be stationary, either from the point where it left the pitch or on the ground outside it at a distance no greater than 25 centimeters (approx. 10 inches) from that point, and 3) deliver the ball within four seconds of being ready to do so. All opposing players must remain at a distance of no less than 16 feet, unless otherwise stated by the referee based on court size/markings, from the place on the touch line where the kick-in is taken. If, when a kick-in is taken, an opponent is closer to the ball than the required distance, the kick-in is retaken by the same team and the offending player is cautioned, unless the advantage can be applied or an offense punishable by a free kick or penalty kick is committed by the opposing team of the player taking the kick-in. If an opponent unfairly distracts or impedes the player taking the kick-in, he is cautioned for unsporting behaviour. For any other infringement of the procedure for the kick-in, the kick-in is taken by a player of the opposing team.
11. Slide-tackling/shoulder-to-shoulder charges: Slide tackling and shoulder charges in co-ed leagues played on hardtop surfaces are not permitted and shall be considered unsafe and unsporting behavior, which will result in a direct free kick being given. This rule applies only to co-ed leagues, but does not apply to men’s and women’s leagues (slide tackles and legal shoulder to shoulder charges are permitted in men’s and women’s leagues). Intentional slide tackling may result in a yellow or red card, depending on the severity and intentionally of the player. This rule does not apply to a goalkeeper's ability to perform a legal slide tackle. This rule will not apply to a player attempting to prevent a ball from going out of bound if that player is at least 7-10 feet from any opposing player.
A. A slide tackle is an attempt to dispossess a player or prevent a goal by deliberately leaving one’s feet and sliding on the ground. This can include falling to one’s knee. It is up to the discretion of the referee whether or not a player deliberately left their feet.
B. The no-slide tackle rule only applies to co-ed leagues. It does not apply to men's or women's league.
12. During Playoffs, Championship or SuperCup matches, games may be ended early at the referee/League's discretion if the match becomes tied with 5 or less minutes before the end of the second half. This is done to avoid disruption in overall scheduling.
13. No off-side rule.
14. Each player on a team is asked to have identical jersey tops or pinnies with clearly displayed, individualized numbers on the back of each top. If there is a jersey color conflict, HOME team is responsible for changing colors. Using pinnies is acceptable for color change. Goalkeepers should have jerseys of a different color from all outfield players and the opposing goalkeeper.
15. Corner Kick: Goals may be scored directly from a corner kick with the ball in a stationary position. Must be taken within 4 seconds; failure to do so entails indirect free kick to the opposing team from the corner mark.
16. Penalty Spot: Penalty kick awarded when infringement takes place in penalty area. Within each penalty area, the penalty mark will be the free-throw line (basketball courts), approximately 15 feet from the midpoint of the goal line. A second mark for accumulated fouls will be the three-point line (basketball courts), approximately 28 feet from the midpoint of the goal line.
17. Goal-throw v. Save - Instead of a “goal-kick,” the goalkeeper must return the ball to play with a “goal-throw.” A goal-throw is awarded when the ball goes out of bound on the goal line and a goal is not made. On a goal-throw, the ball is given to the goalkeeper who must return the ball into play by passing it outside of the penalty area using his hands, not his feet. A goal-throw is not awarded if the goalkeeper saves the ball and the ball does not go out of bounds. See Rule 18 for goalkeeper saves. The 4-second rule begins when the goalkeeper intends to return the ball into play.
Goalkeepers who distribute the ball after a save or goal-throw cannot touch the ball again until an opponent touches the ball, regardless of whether the ball or the goalkeeper has crossed the half-way line ("kickback rule/pass-back"). The goalkeeper can be passed the ball an unlimited number of times from a teammate once a player from the opposing team has touched the ball and in the following sequence:
Goalie to Teammate to Opposition to Teammate to Goalie to Teammate to Opposition to Teammate to Goalie to Teammate to Opposition to Teammate to Goalie…
The kick-back/pass-back rule only applies when the goalkeeper saves the ball or returns the ball into play with a goal-throw. An indirect foul will be awarded for violation of the kickback rule.
A goalkeeper who distributes the ball after a save can pass the ball to himself by dropping the ball to his feet or passing the ball with his hands to a teammate. This is different from a goal-throw, which only allows the goalkeeper to distribute the ball using his hands.
18. Goalkeeper Saves: When a goalkeeper makes a save, he can distribute the ball in the following manners: the goalkeeper can pass it to a teammate outside of the penalty area using his hands or drop the ball on the ground and kick it (passing to himself). The goalkeeper may not punt the ball and cannot kick the ball if it has not first touched the floor. Goalkeeper may throw the ball over the half-way line, according to FIFA Futsal rules. Once a keeper intentionally lets the ball to touch the ground, the ball is put in play. The 4-second rule begins when the goalkeeper intends to return the ball into play.
Goalkeepers who distribute the ball after a save or goal-throw cannot touch the ball again until an opponent touches the ball, regardless of whether the ball or the goalkeeper has crossed the half-way line ("kickback rule"). The kickback rule only applies when the goalkeeper saves the ball or returns the ball into play with a goal-throw. An indirect foul will be awarded for violation of the kickback rule.
19. Goalkeepers: Goalkeepers cannot control the ball with hands or feet in their own half of the pitch for more than four seconds. The four seconds stop as soon as the Goalkeeper crosses the half-way line and passes into his offensive half (the goalkeeper may play the ball for longer than four seconds if he is on the other team’s half of the pitch).
20. A referee may award a direct free kick to the opponent if a player pushes an opponent with excessive force or in a manner that appears careless or reckless. A direct free kick, which allows the kicker to attempt to score a goal on the kick, is taken at the point of the foul. If a reckless or forceful push occurs in the penalty box, the referee can award a penalty kick.
21. If a player denies a player an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by foul means, whether deliberate or not, the referee shall award a penalty kick and the player may receive a red card.
II. Team Regulations
1. Coed leagues only: Female Player requirement - At least one female player must be on the court at all times.
2. Team Size:
A. In 5v5 leagues, a maximum of 5 players, 1 of whom must be female, are allowed on the court. To avoid a forfeit in an 5v5 league game, at least 3 players (of which at least 1 must be a female) are required to play the game.
B. In 6v6 leagues, a maximum of 6 players, 1 of whom must be female, are allowed on the court. To avoid a forfeit in a 6v6 league game, at least 3 players (of which at least 1 must be a female) are required to play the game.
C. Each team must have a goalkeeper.
Note: If lack of female players would result in a game forfeit, female players may be replaced by non-female players with the consent of the opposing team captain only.
3. The maximum game day roster size for a team is 13 players, unless stated otherwise.
4. There is a 10-minute grace period before the scheduled start of a game before forfeit is applied. Five extra minutes may be added to the grace period with the consent of the referee, unless stated otherwise by a league administrator.
5. Guest players are not allowed. A team that plays with a non-sanctioned player will forfeit the match. If, however, a team does not have enough players to complete 5 players on the court, that team may borrow a registered player from another division in the 5v5 league to bring the team to a full 5 players. This only applies when a team is short at the beginning of the match. If a registered player from that team shows up late, the borrowed player may no longer play. A team may not borrow another player to serve as a substitute if 5 registered players from that team are present to play in the match. Registered female players and goalkeepers (who play as goalkeeper the entire match), however, may be borrowed from another team regardless of their assigned division and regardless of the number of players that show up to play.
III. Player Regulations
1. Minimum age is 18 years old.
2. An official BAASL player pass or league-website generated roster including full name for each player must be submitted to the referee before each game.
3. Each team should have a captain present at the game and on the team roster, designated by a “C” next to their name.
4. All players must be on the team roster, have their government issued ID, a consulate card, or a current high school ID.
5. All players must sign a league waiver and release forms in order to play.
6. If a non-sanctioned player plays for a team without proper authorization, the team will forfeit the match. In addition, the team may suffer a minimum 1 point standings penalty. Teams that repeated field non-sanctioned players may be ejected from the league.
7. Changes to team roster during the season is subject to review by league administration. Players may leave teams and be replaced with new players; but once a player has left they may not rejoin in the same season.
8. Players may play for another team in a different division, but players may not play in more than one team in the same division. Goalkeepers and females are the exception – they are allowed to play for another team in the same division. A team can borrow female players from the other division up to the point where they reach full strength and may not borrow players if that will allow them to have substitutes. The purpose of this rule is to encourage teams to play at full strength. If a team has the requisite number of female players, on-field players, and a goal keeper, no players may be borrowed.
IV. League Rules of Conduct
1. Teams and spectators are expected to show good sportsmanship and act in a positive, friendly and sporting manner, showing respect for league officials, other players, and referees. This includes communication among team managers and league officials.
2. Team managers and captain/co-captains are expected to follow the League Code of Conduct and administer their teams in a manner that ensures the overall health of the league. Captains are required to attend one captains’ meeting per season (or send a team representative in their place), help control offending players and fans, ensure each player has complete their player profiles and waiver, ensure team jersey compliance, respond to BAASL inquiries and requests, ensure that player passes are brought to each match for each player, and communicate to BAASL referees and league administrators any problems observed with matches, officiating, and field conditions. Failure to do so may result in mandatory change of team management or the team forfeiture of its spot and payment in the league.
3. Smoking and alcohol are prohibited. Players and spectators under the influence of alcohol will be ejected from the park facility and face disciplinary committee review.
4. The league officials have the full power and discretion of imposing penalties on all violations of the League Code of Conduct. For violations not listed, penalty shall be decided at the discretion of the league officials.
5. The League reserves the absolute right to refuse participation to any participants on a short-term or permanent basis due to unfit health status, including recent injuries and communicable diseases, for the benefit of the individual player and other participants.
6. If a referee makes a clearly-provable technical error in the application of the laws of the game, the League reserves the right to overturn the referees ruling without the participating teams consent. Notice will be provided to team captains should this occur. Because referees are in the best position to apply the laws of the game, the League will defer to the referee’s discretion regarding errors based on opinion and such challenges will rarely be reviewed where there is no clear abuse of discretion.
V. Disciplinary Procedures
1. A player or fan receiving a Red Card is ejected from the game and his/her place may not be substituted.
2. Means by which a Player may receive a 1 match suspension, or be sent off:
A. A red card for serious or dangerous violations may result in a one game suspension following the game the player is ejected from;
B. Two yellow cards in one match will result in the offending player being sent off the field, the player being sent off may not be substituted, and will sit out the next scheduled game.
C. Reckless mistakes that causes serious injury to other participants;
D. Serious unsportsmanlike conduct that the League deems contrary to the spirit of the League rules or contrary to the facilitation of a safe environment for other participants;
E. Failure to abide by the League Code of Conduct may result in suspension or banishment from the league.
3. Captains with suspended players in attendance of a match must notify the referee before the beginning of the match. Suspended players must have a “Suspended” next to their name on the team roster. Suspended players may not enter the field of play.
4. Flagrant acts, violent conduct such as spitting, striking, or fighting with other players, league officials, or the referees (including threatening words or gestures), or repeated violations of the League Rules and Code of Conduct will not be tolerated and is subject to league administrative review, possible extended suspension, and possible banishment from the league. This applies to all League functions including meetings, events, pickup games, and practices.
5. Teams are responsible for sideline fans. If fans are causing trouble and refuse to leave at the request of the referee, the match is subject to forfeit.
6. Ejected players must leave the park facility before play continues if instructed to do so by a referee or league administrator . Failure to leave will result in their team’s forfeit.
7. Players attending a game but not playing (due to injury or suspension) are subject to the same disciplinary rules as if they were playing.
8. Team No-shows - A team will receive a one-point deduction in the standings and will lose its forfeit deposit if it fails to appear for the game without notifying BAASL via email info@baasl.org at least 24 hours before the start of their game. This rule allows BAASL to provide courtesy notice to the opposing team and find a possible substitute team. This rule does not apply to teams that show up to their game, but forfeit due to insufficient number of designated players.
VI. Team Status
1. A team’s right to be in the league is at the discretion of league officials. A team may be removed from the league for the following reasons; included but not limited to:
A. Multiple violations of the League Code of Conduct;
B. Failure to pay league fees on time;
C. Failure to submit proper registration documents;
D. Forfeiting multiple games in a season;
E. Inappropriate fan or suspended player behavior; or
F. Any other reason deemed by league officials to ensure the overall health of the League.
VII. The Competition
1. Promotion/Relegation: If the league consists of multiple divisions, the first place team in each division will be promoted to the next higher division. The last place team in each division will be relegated to the next lower division. If by mutual consent, teams facing promotion and relegation desire to remain in their current divisions, their captains must contact a league administrator at least 2 weeks before the start of the next season. In addition, relegation and promotion of these teams may be altered by league officials if it is determined that other options are better for the overall health of the league.
2. BAASL will do its best to ensure that each team plays every other team in its division at least once, except where facility limitations, unforeseeable weather conditions, team forfeits, or the quantity of teams prevents this from happening.
3. Regular Season Standings shall be determined as follows:
i. 3 points for win;
ii. 1 point for draw, or win by default as a result of a forfeit;
iii. 0 points for loss.
4. If the team forfeits, the offended team receives the win and is awarded 3 points in the standings.
5. Standings points may be subtracted due to penalties such as repeated violations of the League Rules and Code of Conduct.
6. The team that accumulates the most points will be champions for that season, unless a championship game(s) is scheduled by the League.
7. Standings Tie-breaking procedures:
i. 1st tie-breaker: Overall Points Based on Fewest Games Played (Forfeited Games Count)
ii. 2nd tie-breaker: Overall Goal Differential, Capped (GDC);
iii. 3rd tie-breaker: Goals For (GF);
iv. 4th tie-breaker: Goals Against (GA);
v. 5th tie-breaker: head-to-head result.
* GDC=Capped (3) Goal Differential –This means that the goal differential for any one game cannot exceed 3 goals.
8. Season Champions will be posted on the league website whenever possible.
Note: Rules are subject to change any time, but notice will be provided whenever possible.
VIII. Liability Insurance
1. Bay Area Adult Soccer League maintains liability insurance for its operations.
IX. COVID-19 Rules
Refer to https://baasl.org/covid19
* There are several internet resources regarding Futsal rules, including https://larbitre.wordpress.com/referee-education/futsal/goalkeeper-rules/