San Francisco Rec and Parks Dept Futsal Rules Summary
This rules summary is provided to the referees as a service. These are not the official rules of the competition. NO warranty is made that this summary is up to date.
This page last updated 12/6/23
San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department Jose Coronado Indoor Soccer League
The league uses the FIFA Futsal LOTG unless specified otherwise below.
League Director is Nathan Birnbaum. 415-806-5656
The league does not have a "mercy rule". However, in the standings no goal differential greater than 7 is recorded. Coaches should be aware that there is no benefit to humiliating an opponent by more than a 7 goal differential.
Parking at most venues is difficult. Plan accordingly.
Players
- Maximum of 12 players on the roster.
- All players on one team must wear league issued jersey of similar color with numbers on the back. Home team wears pennies if there is a color conflict.
- No exposed jewelry of any kind. Taped jewelry is permitted.
- Shoes must NOT leave any marks on the floor. Athletic shoes designed for use on wooden courts required.
- Players names MUST be computer printed on the printed roster. No write ins.
- No hard casts.
- Playing Futsal does not imperil a high school soccer player's eligibility to play high school soccer.
Adults
- MUST be on the San Francisco Recreational and Park Department list of approved Coaches. No exceptions. Score keeper and facility manager typically have responsibility to check adults. Watch for adults that show up after the game starts.
- Coaches sign match card at end of game.
- Because you are close to coaches and you are running the line right in front of the coaches, BE FRIENDLY. Talk to the coaches. Often the coaches come from outdoor soccer and are new to the game of Futsal. Answer questions like "IFK or DFK?"
- Because the game can get very loud, the friendly demeanor works wonders.
Ball
U12 and younger use a Size 3
U13 and older use a Size 4
Home team supplies game ball.
Half Time and Game Time
Keep matches on time. Only the first game of the day has a five minute grace period. Game time is forfeit time. The league fines teams for forfeits. The mission of the league is to play the games. If the coach is late, please try to play the game anyway (shorten halves if necessary). Referees do not award forfeits - make a notation on the score sheet.
Half time is no more than 5 minutes
TimeOuts and HalfTime
Players and substitutes may not drink fluids on the pitch.
1 timeout per half per team.
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Clock
Running clock. Two 20 minute halves. EXCEPT
Last 2 minutes of second half
Last 1 minute of second overtime
During which clock stops upon awarding
kick-ins, goal clearances, fouls, corner kicks, penalty kicks, time outs and dropped balls.
Clock restarts when ball is in play.
Clock does NOT stop if goal differential is greater than 7 goals
Start of Match and KickOffs
Visiting team has kick off at the start of the first half.
Cannot score directly from a kickoff. Award Goal Kick.
U12 and Younger
- Deliberate heading is to be whistled and an IFK awarded to the opponents. This is a non-accumulative foul.
- Goal keeper cannot drop kick ball from hands across the half way line on the fly
- Goal keeper cannot throw the ball across the half way line on the fly.
Playoffs
If tied at end of regulation - two 5 minute overtime periods. Clock stops during last minute of second overtime when ball is out of play.
If tied at end of overtime - penalty kicks. Best of 5.
Penalty Kick
For regular penalty kicks, the goalkeeper must remain on the goal line.
U12 and younger, for any penalty kick, the goalkeeper must remain the the goal line until the ball is kicked from the second penalty spot.
U13 and older, per FIFA, for PK resulting from 6th (or beyond) foul, the goalkeeper must be at least 5 meters from the second penalty spot.
Score Keepers
Works with the referee to monitor time and scores and fouls. Score keepers should not be playing on their phone during the game. Referees should help the score keepers help you - let the score keeper know what you expect.
Foul Recognition
With wood floors, the potential for injury is high. Referees are encouraged to call challenges tight and explain your calls. Challenges that would be permitted in outdoor soccer are often not permitted in Futsal.
Like all recreational leagues, help teach the laws to the players.