Quick Reference: 7-a-Side Futsal Rules
Heading to the pitch for the first time and not sure what the rules are? This is your quick-reference guide to 7-a-side futsal — everything you need to know before your first session at PAKTB Grace Sports Centre on Kiambu Road in Thindigua, Nairobi. Bookmark this page and check it before you play.
Team Setup
- Players per side: 7 (1 goalkeeper + 6 outfield)
- Substitutions: Rolling (unlimited swaps, no stoppage needed). The sub enters as the outgoing player leaves — they swap on the sideline.
- Minimum to start: 5 players. If a team drops below 5 during the match (red cards, injuries with no subs), the match is abandoned.
- Recommended squad size: 9-10 per team for comfortable rotation.
The Pitch
- Surface: Artificial turf (at PAKTB Grace Sports Centre)
- Dimensions: Approximately 50m x 30m
- Goals: 5m wide x 2m high
- Penalty area: Marked zone in front of each goal — typically a D-shape or rectangle extending 10m from the goal line
- Penalty spot: 8m from the goal line
- Centre circle: Used for kick-offs
Match Duration
- Casual session: 60 minutes total. Split into two 25-minute halves with a 5-minute break, or play straight through.
- League match: Two 25-minute halves, running clock.
- Tournament match: Two 7-10 minute halves (depends on number of teams and time available).
- Overtime (knockout only): 5 minutes each way. If still tied, penalties.
Kick-Off
- Coin toss — winner chooses to kick off or pick their end.
- Ball on the centre spot. At least two attacking players inside the centre circle.
- All defending players outside the centre circle.
- Ball must be played forward (it must move towards the opponent’s half on the first touch).
- The kicker cannot touch the ball again until another player has touched it.
- After a goal, the team that conceded kicks off.
Fouls and Free Kicks
Direct Free Kick (can score directly)
Awarded for:
- Kicking or attempting to kick an opponent
- Tripping an opponent
- Pushing an opponent
- Charging an opponent (shoulder charge)
- Striking or attempting to strike an opponent
- Holding an opponent
- Deliberate handball (by an outfield player)
- Spitting at an opponent
Indirect Free Kick (must touch another player before a goal)
Awarded for:
- Dangerous play (e.g., high foot near an opponent’s head)
- Obstruction (blocking without playing the ball)
- Goalkeeper holding the ball for more than 4 seconds
- Goalkeeper receiving a deliberate back-pass with hands
- Goalkeeper touching the ball with hands after releasing it, before another player touches it
Penalty Kick
Awarded when a direct free kick foul happens inside the penalty area. Taken from the penalty spot. All players except the kicker and goalkeeper must stay outside the penalty area and behind the ball until it is kicked.
Restarts
Throw-In / Kick-In
When the ball crosses the sideline, the opposing team restarts play. Most 7-a-side formats use throw-ins (standard two-handed overhead throw, both feet on the ground). Some leagues use kick-ins (the ball is placed on the sideline and kicked in — faster restart). Check with your league or tournament rules.
Goal Kick
When the attacking team plays the ball over the goal line (without scoring), the goalkeeper restarts with a goal kick from inside the penalty area. The ball must leave the penalty area before another player can touch it. Opponents must stay outside the penalty area until the ball is in play.
Corner Kick
When the defending team plays the ball over their own goal line, the attacking team takes a corner kick from the corner arc. Goals can be scored directly from corners. Defenders must be at least 3 metres from the ball.
Cards and Discipline
Yellow Card (Caution)
Given for: persistent fouling, unsporting behaviour, dissent (arguing with the referee), time-wasting, failure to respect the required distance on restarts.
Red Card (Sending Off)
Given for: serious foul play, violent conduct, spitting, denying a goal-scoring opportunity by foul or handball, using offensive language, receiving a second yellow card.
Red card consequence: The player leaves the pitch and cannot be replaced. Their team plays with one fewer player for the rest of the match (minimum 5 players).
In Casual Play
Most casual sessions at PAKTB are self-officiated — no referee, no cards. The unwritten rules: play fair, call your own fouls, and shake hands at the end. If there is a dispute, the attacking team gets the benefit (the equivalent of “shooter’s call” in basketball).
Goalkeeper Rules (Quick Summary)
- Can use hands inside the penalty area only.
- Cannot hold the ball for more than 4 seconds (relaxed in casual play).
- Cannot pick up a deliberate back-pass from a teammate’s feet. Can play it with their feet.
- Can come out of the penalty area but becomes an outfield player (no hands).
- Goal kicks must be taken from within the penalty area.
No Offside
There is no offside rule in most 7-a-side and futsal formats. Players can position themselves anywhere on the pitch, including behind the last defender. This encourages creative through-balls and fast counter-attacks, and simplifies the game for self-officiated matches (no linesmen needed).
The Golden Rules for First-Timers
If you remember nothing else from this guide, remember these five golden rules:
- Play fair. Hard tackles are unnecessary on an artificial turf pitch — the surface does not forgive sliding, and neither do opponents.
- Keep the ball on the ground. High balls on a compact pitch are dangerous and hard to control. Low, firm passes win games.
- Communicate. Call for the ball, warn teammates of pressing opponents, and celebrate goals together.
- Hydrate. Nairobi’s altitude (1,600m+) and the intensity of 7-a-side football mean you dehydrate faster than you think. Bring water.
- Have fun. It is football. Whether you are Messi or a complete beginner, the joy of scoring a goal and playing with friends is the whole point.
Ready to play? Book a pitch at PAKTB Grace Sports Centre — Thindigua, off Kiambu Road. Online booking, M-PESA payment, floodlit pitch for evening games.
