Notes:

• Rules and regulations shall be updated as necessary, so please be sure to check the latest rules before the starting of every tournament.
• Last update: February 26, 2024

Official Ball & Size

• Size No. 4 soccer ball is used.
• Futsal ball size No. 3 is also allowed only when the event is held indoors (on wooden flooring in gymnasiums, etc.).

Field Dimensions

• The field is based on futsal court dimensions, measuring 38m x 18m is preferred. (acceptable smaller size)

Match Duration

• The duration of the match is 10 minutes.
• No additional time is allowed.
• Playing time lasts from the whistle for start of the match without any pause. (exception cases as below)
• Playing time can be paused during timeouts or possibility of serious injury, weather conditions such as storm, lightning, or other unavoidable circumstances for players safety.
• The referee is recommended to announce the remaining game time for players. (when it reaches last 5, 3, 1 minute)

Team member

• 4-6 players are allowed to enter each tournament, consisting of four players (one of players must be a goal player) and a maximum of two substitutions.
• If unavoidable circumstances happen such as injury or illness on the day of the tournament, teams can continue to play matches only having more than 2 players who are able to play.

Tournament Format

• The tournament consists of group stages and knock-out stage to determine the final standings.
• Group stage standings is determined according to the following rules.

1. Winning points (win: 3 points, draw: 1 point, lose: 0 point)
2. Average goals (average goals from all qualifying matches is calculated)
3. Goal difference (between Goals for and Goals against)
4. Drawing of lots by the organizers (the method of drawing lots shouldn’t be disclosed and a fair drawing method is accepted) *The method of drawing lots is left to the organizers.

• If tied in the knock-out stage, a sudden death penalty shootout is held, with all players taking a turn. (When a team gets to the last player, then go back to the first player and do a second round.)
• In a sudden death penalty shootout, goal player can be replaced before the start of penalty shootout. However, replacing a player in the middle of a penalty shootout is not allowed, except in unavoidable circumstances such as injury to a player.

Substitutions

• Teams can substitute players anytime when they want during a match without notice to the referee. (one player can play again even if once out of pitch) However, playing time also doesn’t pause by the referee.
• Each player must be on the pitch to play at least once.
• Substitutions are only allowed to enter pitch from the substitution zone (set up 1 meter from the center line each with markers).

Goal Player （Goalkeeper）

• In 4v4, goalkeeper is called goal player.
• Since shots and goals from own half area are not allowed as a score, goal player can take a risk as a one of the field players when attacking.
• The goal player must put on an arm band or gloves for showing as a goal player, and must pass the mark to the replacement player when making a substitution.
• The back-passing rule specific to futsal does not apply. However, as in soccer, if a goal player catches a back pass from teammates, it must be a foul.
• After the conceded score, not resume from the center circle but from the goal considered.
• Any restarting way is allowed for goal kick such as throwing, kicking and dribbling.

Shooting Area and Scoring

• Direct goals by shooting from your own half area are not allowed. However, if an opponent player or goal player touches the ball, it is counted as a score. (It shall be considered as an own goal.)
• Goal made in opponent's half area is scored as 2 points, and goal made inside opponent's penalty area is scored as 3 points.
• Own goal is scored as 2 points.
• The definition of in and out of the penalty area regarding the number of goals scored is based on the position of the ball, and if the ball remains on the penalty area line, it is counted as two goals.
• No buzzer beat rule, the sound of whistle or buzzer is the moment the match ends.

Shot Clock 　- Basic Rules -

• Team must take a shot within 20 seconds when in possession.
• If 20 seconds is over at the inside of own penalty area, it must be a penalty kick, not an indirect free kick.
• Referees count the 20 seconds shot clock.
• Referees must count down aloud from 10 seconds to notice the shot clock timer for players.
• Shot clock is reset when transition happens.
• 4-second rule specific to futsal does not apply.
• Countdown of the shot clock during out-play should start when the players have set the ball and are ready to start play.

Resetting the clock when a shot is taken

• Shot clock is reset when a shot hits the post of the opponent's goal or save by goal player.
• When a shot is blocked by defender, if the opponent takes more than two touches with ball, the ball is considered to be in possession and shot clock is reset. However, the referee will make the final decision.

Restarting after a Goal

• After a goal conceded or a goal kick, reset shot clock count.
• After a goal conceded, the game can be restarted from anywhere inside of the penalty area.
• It can be restarted by kick-in, dribble-in, hand-pass, or punt kick.
• The opposing team can only start defending once the possession team comes out of the penalty area.

Kickoff

• Kick-off can be started by dribbling in.
• Kick-off shot is allowed.

Kick-in (side line)

• Pause shot clock if ball comes out sideline.
• Kick-in or dribble-in can be played for restart.
• Scoring by shooting directly from the kick-in is not allowed.
• Opponent players must be away at least 1 meter off the line.

Corner Kick

• Corner kick can be restarted with a kick-in or dribble-in.

• It is allowed to take a shot directly from the kick-in.
• Opponents players must be away at least 3 meters.

Fouls

• When a foul is committed, the shot clock must be reset.
• The criteria for fouls are the same as in soccer.
• A free kick can be restarted by dribbling-in or passing from the spot of the foul.
• The distance of the wall is 3 meters.

Penalty Kicks

• All fouls in the penalty area must be penalty kicks.
• Penalty kicks count as 3 point scores.
• All other players must stand outside the penalty area and be 1 meter away and behind from the ball.

Time-out

• Time-out can only be taken when the ball is out of play and it is the team's own ball restart.
• Time limit is 60 seconds for time-out. The referee needs to lead players to make them be ready to play on time.
• Each team can only take it once. When a timeout is taken, playing time also pauses.

Penalties

• All judgement regarding match is left to referees and others must follow it.
• Referee doesn’t take a foul against delaying action of winning team utilizing the shot clock rule, but must encourage players to play as soon as possible with good sportsmanship.
• Players are sent off due to two yellow cards or one red card.
• Team whose player was sent off can continue the match with 3 players. The player is not allowed to play in the match, but is allowed to play in the next match.
• Teams for no-show or cheating are treated as 0-3 lose.

Behavior of Audience

• Spectators, including parents and coaches, are allowed to cheer and make some noise for players. However, specific advice or coaching to players is not allowed.
• Excessive coaching by parents or coaches results in getting a yellow card or red card and it is counted as a team as a whole team. If a team receives two yellow cards or one red card in a single match, the team results in losing the match.
• All judgements during a match shall be left to referees, and no protests to the referee are allowed.

Others (How do you judge such cases?)

• If the ball hits the ceiling of the court, encourage the referee to restart the game with a dropped ball from the referee.
• If a player passes or shoots the ball and it hits the referee as it interferes with play, restart the game with a dropped ball from the referee.
• When a game is being played in multiple courts, if the ball from an next court significantly interferes with play or affects the subsequent development of the game, the game should be restarted with a dropped ball from the referee.
• If a back pass from the opponent's half area to their own half area is mistaken and goes directly into their own goal, two goals are counted to the opponent team as an own goal.
• If a goal player mistakenly catches a back pass from a teammate in his own penalty area, it is a foul and a penalty kick is awarded to the opponent team.