This winter, we are excited to bring a new indoor sport program to our YMCA of Long Island branches in Bay Shore, East Hampton, Glen Cove, Huntington and Patchogue.
It's Futsal! Have you ever heard of Futsal? It is an indoor sport similar to soccer, but played indoors with different rules.
Read on for the rules of Futsal and stay tuned for our launch dates.
General
Futsal is played with a different ball that does not bounce as much as a traditional soccer ball. The aim is to score in the opposition's goal. Two referees officiate the game and are situated on each touchline. The ball can go out of play. If this happens, play resumes via a kick-in, rather than a throw-in, or by rolling the ball. There is no offsides.
40-minute games
A futsal game is played in two 20-minute halves, with a 15-minute break for half-time. The 20 minutes represent the actual playing time, as the clock is stopped whenever the ball is not in play or if the match is interrupted. The clock only starts again once play resumes.
Time-outs
Each team may request a time-out of one minute per half.
Rolling substitutions
Each team starts with one goalkeeper and four outfield players on the pitch. Over the course of the 40 minutes, up to nine additional players may be used and these can be substituted on and off an unlimited amount of times. A further feature of futsal is that changes can be made without stopping the game. Substitutions must take place in the clearly designated substitution zone.
Goalkeepers
Goalkeepers may touch the ball with their hands inside the penalty area. They can move anywhere and are allowed to throw the ball out into the opposition half. If the goalkeeper has the ball he must play it to a teammate within four seconds.
