OFFICIAL CRACKS FUTSAL CUP RULES

U8–U14 | 5v5 FUTSAL

The Cracks Futsal Cup follows the FIFA Futsal Laws of the Game except where specific youth tournament modifications are listed in these rules. These rules are designed to provide a safe, competitive, fair, and development-focused environment for all participating players.

The Tournament Director reserves the right to make reasonable decisions regarding situations not specifically addressed in these rules.

1. GAME FORMAT

  • All games will be played 5v5, consisting of:

    • 4 field players

    • 1 goalkeeper

  • There is no offside in futsal.

  • A team must have a minimum of 4 players to start or continue a game.

  • All games will consist of two 20-minute halves, regardless of age group or division.

  • Halftime will be approximately 3–5 minutes.

  • The clock will run continuously unless otherwise determined by the referee or Tournament Director.

  • Teams are responsible for being ready to play at their scheduled game time.

2. ROSTERS & PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

  • Each team may register a maximum of 10 players.

  • A minimum roster size of 5 players is recommended.

  • Exceptions to the maximum roster size may be approved by the Tournament Director in special circumstances.

  • Players must meet the age requirements for their registered age group.

  • Players must be properly registered with their team before participating.

  • A player may not participate for multiple teams in the same age group/division during the tournament unless specifically approved by the Tournament Director.

  • Guest players are permitted only when approved by the Tournament Director and properly registered.

  • Coaches are responsible for ensuring that all players on their roster are eligible.

  • The Tournament Director may request proof of age or player registration at any time.

  • Use of an ineligible player may result in forfeiture of games and/or removal from the tournament.

3. SUBSTITUTIONS

  • Unlimited substitutions are permitted.

  • Substitutions may be made at any time while the ball is in or out of play, following proper futsal substitution procedures.

  • The player leaving the court must completely leave before the substitute enters.

  • Players must use the designated substitution area.

  • Improper substitutions may result in a caution or other disciplinary action.

4. KICK-INS & RESTARTS

  • There are no throw-ins in futsal.

  • When the entire ball crosses the touchline, play restarts with a kick-in for the opposing team.

  • The ball must be stationary and placed on or behind the touchline.

  • Opposing players must maintain the required distance from the ball.

  • Kick-ins must be taken within 4 seconds.

  • A goal cannot be scored directly from a kick-in.

Goal Clearances

  • When the attacking team last touches the ball before it completely crosses the goal line, the goalkeeper restarts play from within the penalty area.

  • Goal clearances must be taken within 4 seconds.

  • The goalkeeper may restart play by throwing, rolling, or releasing the ball according to the applicable tournament rules.

Corner Kicks

  • A corner kick is awarded when the defending team last touches the ball before it completely crosses the goal line.

  • Opponents must maintain the required distance.

  • Corner kicks must be taken within 4 seconds.

5. GOALKEEPER RULES

  • The goalkeeper may use their hands only within their own penalty area, subject to the futsal Laws of the Game.

  • A goalkeeper has 4 seconds to release the ball when in possession in their own half.

  • Goalkeepers may participate in attacking play and may leave their penalty area.

  • The goalkeeper may not illegally handle a deliberate kick from a teammate.

Goalkeeper Distribution Rule

To encourage player development and building out of the back:

  • On a goal clearance or goalkeeper throw, the ball may not cross the halfway line in the air.

  • The ball must first touch the court or a player in the goalkeeper's own half before crossing midfield.

  • If the goalkeeper's distribution crosses the halfway line in the air without first touching the court or another player in the goalkeeper's half, the opposing team will be awarded an indirect free kick from the halfway line.

  • This rule applies to all age groups unless otherwise announced by the Tournament Director.

6. FOULS & FREE KICKS

Direct free kicks may be awarded for offenses including:

  • Kicking or attempting to kick an opponent

  • Tripping or attempting to trip an opponent

  • Jumping at an opponent

  • Charging an opponent illegally

  • Striking or attempting to strike an opponent

  • Pushing

  • Holding

  • Deliberate handball

  • Reckless or excessive physical challenges

  • Other offenses defined by the FIFA Futsal Laws of the Game

The referee has full authority to determine whether contact constitutes a foul.

Sliding Challenges

Players must use appropriate judgment when challenging for the ball. Dangerous or reckless sliding challenges may result in a foul and/or disciplinary action.

Goalkeepers may use sliding techniques within their own penalty area when legally challenging for the ball, provided the challenge is not dangerous or reckless.

7. ACCUMULATED FOULS

Accumulated foul rules will follow the FIFA Futsal Laws of the Game unless modified by the tournament format or Tournament Director.

If accumulated fouls are being used:

  • Direct free-kick offenses are counted as accumulated fouls.

  • Beginning with a team's 6th accumulated foul in a half, the opposing team may be awarded a direct free kick without a defensive wall according to the applicable futsal rules.

  • Accumulated fouls reset at halftime.

The Tournament Director may modify or eliminate accumulated-foul rules based on the tournament format, age group, or scheduling requirements.

8. CARDS & DISCIPLINE

Yellow Card

A player or team official may receive a yellow card for offenses including:

  • Unsporting behavior

  • Dissent

  • Delaying the restart of play

  • Persistent infringement

  • Failing to respect the required distance

  • Improper substitution

  • Other cautionable offenses

Red Card

A player or team official may be sent off for serious offenses including:

  • Serious foul play

  • Violent conduct

  • Offensive, insulting, or abusive language

  • Denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity through an offense

  • Receiving a second yellow card

  • Other sending-off offenses under the Laws of the Game

A player who is sent off may not return to the game.

Additional tournament suspension may be imposed by the Tournament Director when appropriate.

9. POINTS & STANDINGS

Teams will earn points based on the result of each game:

  • Win: 3 points

  • Draw: 1 point

  • Loss: 0 points

  • Forfeit: 0 points

The opposing team will receive 3 points for a forfeit.

Tiebreakers

If two or more teams finish with the same number of points, standings will be determined using the following tiebreakers, in order:

  1. Head-to-head result

  2. Goal differential

  3. Goals scored

  4. Goals against

  5. Fewest disciplinary points/cards

  6. Penalty kicks or another method determined by the Tournament Director

Goal Differential

Goal differential is calculated by subtracting goals conceded from goals scored.

For standings purposes, the tournament will use a maximum goal differential of +3 per game.

Example: A team wins 7–1. The official game score remains 7–1, but the standings goal differential will be recorded as +3.

This rule is intended to discourage excessive scoring and promote sportsmanship.

10. MERCY RULE & SPORTSMANSHIP

Cracks Futsal Cup is committed to creating a positive youth-sports environment.

If a team establishes a large lead, coaches are strongly encouraged to manage the game in a sportsmanlike manner.

The Tournament Director may implement a mercy rule or other competitive-balance measure if necessary based on the age group and tournament format.

Unsportsmanlike behavior, including intentionally running up the score, taunting, or disrespecting opponents, may result in disciplinary action.

11. TIMEOUTS

Unless otherwise announced:

  • Teams will not receive team timeouts.

  • Official game delays, injuries, or facility issues may result in the referee stopping the clock when appropriate.

12. GAME BALL & EQUIPMENT

  • All games will be played with an appropriate futsal ball.

  • Ball size will be determined by the age group and tournament specifications.

  • The Tournament Director will determine the official game ball.

  • Players must wear appropriate futsal or indoor soccer footwear suitable for the playing surface.

  • Shin guards are mandatory.

  • Players may not wear jewelry or other equipment considered dangerous by the referee.

  • Goalkeepers must wear a jersey that clearly distinguishes them from both teams and the referees.

  • The referee has final authority regarding whether a player's equipment is safe and legal.

13. UNIFORMS

  • Players on the same team must wear matching uniforms.

  • Jerseys must have clearly visible numbers.

  • If both teams have similar colors, the Tournament Director or referee may require one team to wear alternate jerseys or pinnies.

  • Goalkeepers must wear a color that clearly distinguishes them from field players and referees.

  • Players must wear appropriate socks and shin guards.

  • Any player not wearing the required equipment may be prohibited from entering the court until the issue is corrected.

14. KNOCKOUT GAMES & CHAMPIONSHIP FORMAT

The tournament format will be determined based on the number of registered teams in each division.

Depending on the division, teams may advance to:

  • Semifinals

  • Championship game

  • Placement games

  • Other playoff formats determined by the Tournament Director

Tied Knockout Games

If a semifinal or championship/final game is tied at the end of regulation:

  1. The game will proceed directly to a penalty-kick shootout.

  2. Each team will take 3 penalty kicks.

  3. The team scoring the most goals after the 3 kicks will be declared the winner.

  4. If the score remains tied after 3 kicks, the shootout will continue using sudden-death penalties, with each team taking one kick at a time until a winner is determined.

  5. Only eligible players who are on the court or otherwise eligible at the end of regulation may participate in the shootout, subject to the applicable futsal rules.

  6. The Tournament Director and referee will determine the order and procedure for the shootout.

15. FORFEITS & LATE ARRIVALS

  • Teams must be ready to play at their scheduled game time.

  • A reasonable grace period may be provided for unforeseen circumstances.

  • A team that cannot field the minimum number of players may be declared to have forfeited the game.

  • The Tournament Director will determine the official forfeit score.

  • Repeated forfeits may result in removal from the tournament.

  • Tournament fees will generally not be refunded due to forfeits, withdrawals, or missed games.

The Tournament Director will consider legitimate emergencies and facility or scheduling circumstances when making a final decision.

16. FACILITY, SCHEDULE & EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

The Tournament Director reserves the right to modify:

  • Game times

  • Court assignments

  • Game duration

  • Brackets

  • Number of games

  • Rest periods

  • Competition format

These changes may be necessary because of:

  • Facility issues

  • Emergency situations

  • Delays

  • Referee availability

  • Scheduling conflicts

  • Safety concerns

  • Other circumstances beyond the tournament's control

Player safety will always take priority.

In the event of an emergency or facility evacuation, all teams, coaches, players, and spectators must follow facility and tournament staff instructions.

17. PROTESTS, REFEREES & RULE DISPUTES

  • Referees have authority over the game and are responsible for enforcing the Laws of the Game.

  • Referee decisions regarding incidents of play are final.

  • Coaches, players, and spectators may not confront, threaten, or verbally abuse referees.

  • Formal protests regarding player eligibility, tournament rules, or administrative matters must be submitted to the Tournament Director.

  • Protests must be submitted as soon as reasonably possible and before the team participates in its next scheduled game when applicable.

  • The Tournament Director's decision regarding tournament administration and rule interpretation is final.

No protest will be accepted solely because a team, coach, player, or spectator disagrees with a referee's judgment call.

18. COACH, PLAYER & SPECTATOR CONDUCT / TOURNAMENT AUTHORITY

Cracks Futsal Cup is committed to providing a competitive environment built on respect, development, sportsmanship, and positive competition.

Coaches

Coaches are expected to:

  • Respect referees and tournament officials.

  • Maintain appropriate behavior on the sideline.

  • Encourage players positively.

  • Avoid abusive, threatening, or disrespectful language.

  • Remain in the designated coaching area.

  • Help create a positive environment for all players.

Players

Players are expected to:

  • Respect teammates, opponents, coaches, referees, and tournament staff.

  • Play with sportsmanship.

  • Avoid taunting, fighting, abusive language, and intentional dangerous play.

  • Follow the instructions of referees and coaches.

Spectators

Spectators are expected to:

  • Support players positively.

  • Respect referees and opposing teams.

  • Avoid abusive or inappropriate language.

  • Remain in designated spectator areas.

  • Never enter the playing area without authorization.

  • Never threaten, intimidate, or confront referees, coaches, players, or tournament staff.

Any coach, player, parent, or spectator who engages in inappropriate or abusive behavior may be:

  • Warned

  • Removed from the facility

  • Suspended from the tournament

  • Reported to the appropriate governing organization

  • Subject to additional disciplinary action

Tournament Director Authority

The Cracks Futsal Cup Tournament Director has final authority regarding tournament administration, scheduling, eligibility, disciplinary matters, rule interpretation, and situations not specifically addressed in these rules.

The Tournament Director may make reasonable modifications when necessary to protect player safety, maintain a fair competition, or ensure the tournament can be completed successfully.

FINAL NOTICE

Participation in the Cracks Futsal Cup constitutes acceptance of these tournament rules by teams, coaches, players, and participating families.

Our goal is to provide young players with a competitive but positive environment where they can compete, develop, learn, and enjoy the game of futsal.

Thank you to all players, coaches, referees, and families for helping us create a respectful and memorable tournament experience.

CRACKS FUTSAL CUP
U8–U14 • 5v5 FUTSAL