For the 5-a-side, we have two significant rule changes.  The first is obviously the goal keeper.  The keeper must be limited in their use to keep the game fair.  We also included a hockey style “pulling the keeper” rule to help a struggling team put in an all out attack.

Five-a-Side Street Soccer – Laws of the Game

Failing a specific variation below, all FIFA Futsal rules will be enforced

• Court Size:
  • Minimum Size – basketball or tennis court
  • Recommended Size – two basketball or tennis courts side by side; tape should be used to enforce lines and mark the center; this is required if the courts have a gap between them
• Time:
  • 20 minute half
  • 5 minute half-time
• Goal:
  • Futsal style goals – 7′ x 10′ (2m x 3m)
  • Recommended – inflatable or modular/portable goals
  • As a safety measure, we recommend that the goals be weighted with a 22 lbs (10 kilo) sandbag, but never anchored
  • 11′ x 6′ goal box
• Goal Keeper
  • Goal keeper must throw, roll or pass the ball out
  • The ball must be touched by another player on the same team before crossing midfield
• 5 Second Rule (Optional):
  • Basketball style restriction preventing any player from standing inside the arch for more than five seconds
  • Players violating the rule must take a lap around the court before re-entering
  • Play continues while the offending player runs
  • We recommend this rule only when a team “pulls the goal keeper”
• Off-sides Rule:
  • No more than three players on the offensive side of the court
  • No shots are allowed from the defensive side of the field
  • Pulling the Goal keeper (Optional)
    • We have always liked the hockey idea of pulling the goal keeper; this allows the attacking team an extra player in the attacking end; however it leaves the goal open
    • We recommend implementing the 5 second rule to ensure the attacking team does not replace the goal keeper with a defensive player
• Restarts:
  • All restarts are from the ground
  • Restarts from the defensive side of the court must be passed to another player on the defensive side
• Substitutions:
  • A field player may be substituted at any time (except where the Powerplay rule applies)
  • Goal keepers may only be substituted at a stoppage
  • The departing player must leave the court before the arriving player can enter
  • All players must enter from the defensive end
• Powerplay rule (Optional):
  • A ball that is kicked far out of bounds must be retrieved by the player that kicked it
  • The opposing team may restart the game immediately and take advantage of the missing player
  • The retrieving player cannot be substituted
  • The player may re-enter to the game as soon as the ball is returned

Did we miss a rule?  Are you ready to start a league?  Tell us what you think and get out and play.