Open Intermediate to Competive
We welcome players of all skill levels, but please keep in mind that most players have multiple years of previous soccer playing experience. This is currently the only division offered.
Players 18 and older of any gender can join HTFL.
Ball: Regulation, size 4 futsal ball
Goals: Standard size futsal goals of 3m by 2m
Shoes: Flat, indoor shoes only as the playing surface is a gym floor – not turf. No cleats allowed
Jersey top or shirt: Players on the same team must wear the same color uniform top. The goalkeeper’s top must be different in color from their own team, the opponent, and the referee
Shin guards: Recommended, but not required
All players must sign liability waiver before competing in league play
5v5, one of whom is the goalkeeper
The minimum number of players to start a match is 3
Roster size: Max 12 players
Players must be on the team’s roster to play. Rosters will be checked before each game. Players cannot be on two rosters in the same league.
Registered league players may guest play on another team with consent from the opposing team, except in playoff games when no guest players are allowed.
R.E.F. Fees
All players must pay a $5 R.E.F. fee each match week (excluding playoffs) in the form of cash or through a payment app such as Venmo or Zelle when checking into the facility before walking into the gym. Once payment is confirmed, a Houston Town staff member will place a wristband on your wrist which will need to be worn throughout the night.
These fees help us cover referees, equipment, and facility costs in order to make HTFL possible so thank you for your understanding.
Each week of the regular season, 4 teams will come together in a one-hour time slot and play each other twice for a total of 6 games. Each game is 5 minutes.
For example, let’s say you are on Team 1. Here is the game schedule for fixture week 1:
Then, it’s playing a different team back-to-back:
And finally your last opponent for the night:
So, if your team win all 6 of its games in a match week 1, then that’s the max of 18 points.
Point System
(1) point awarded for each roster player attending a HTFL Volunteer Event. Used as first tie-breaker in leage table position.
Goal Differential
Used as second tie-breaker
The top 4 teams advance to playoffs. (1v4; 2v3)
Semi-final: Two, 20-minute halves
Final: Two, 20-minute havles
During playoff games, a tied game in regulation is decided by ten miunte extra time period with the winner determined by golden goal – first team that scores, wins.
If tied after 10 minutes, penalty kicks.
Each team will take five penalty kicks. If the penalty kick score is tied at the end of five kicks, the teams will continue to take alternating penalty kicks with the same 5 players until there is a winner.
All players on the field (including the keeper must kick before any player may kick a second time. Note: all players on the field at the end of the game MUST remain on the field, while all other players remain off the field. If a team plays one down due to a red card, a substitute player must be added to complete five to take a penalty kick. If there is no substitute, then only four take the penalty kicks.
Team Captains will submit the order in which their players will take the penalty kicks.
PLAYER ELIGIBILITY
To be an eligible player for the playoffs, he/she must be on the team roster.
A formal protest may be filed before a game if an opposing player’s eligibility is questioned. The player in question will be required to provide his/her player information (name, address, phone #) in writing to the referee or a Houston Town Futsal staff member before the start of the game. This qualifies as an official protest. The game will then be played as scheduled. Teams will be notified of all rulings on the eligibility discrepancy. Decisions will not be made on-site. If the protest is proven legitimate, it will result in the forfeiture of the game in question.
The above procedure will also apply to any other logged protests. All rulings by Houston Town Futsal staff are considered final.
At Houston Town, we refer to our game officals as Peace Makers.
Each match is controlled by game officals who have full authority to enforce the Houston Town Futsal Laws of the Game in connection with the match to which they have been appointed.
Powers and duties:
A kick-off starts both periods of a match and after a goal has been scored. Free kicks (direct or indirect), penalty kicks, kick-ins, goal kicks, and corner kicks are other restarts.
Kick-Off Procedure: The home team kicks off at the start of the game, and the visiting team kicks off at the start of the second half.; opposing team keeps a 5-meter distance ball must be stationary on the center mark. The referee indicates that the kick-off must be taken by signaling with his/her whistle. The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves. If the player taking the kick-off touches the ball again before it has touched another player, an indirect free kick is awarded. Ensuing kickoffs are taken after goals are scored and at the start of the second half (playoffs).
A goal may be scored directly against the opponents from the kick-off; if the ball directly enters the kicker’s goal, a corner kick is awarded to the opponents.
In the event of any other kick-off procedure offense, the kick-off is retaken.
Ball out of play: When it has wholly crossed the goal line or touchline on the floor or in the air; when a referee; has stopped the game
Lines: Touchlines and goal lines are considered inside the playing area.
Ceiling: If the ball touches the ceiling then the ball goes back to the goal keeper of the opposing team who touched it last.
Basketball goal structure: If the ball hits this structire then it is either a corner kick or goal kick depending on who touched the ball last.
The ball is also out of play when it touches a match official and remains on the pitch; in this case, play is restarted with a dropped ball.
When the whole of the ball has passed over the goal line, between the goal posts, and under the crossbar, provided that no offense has been committed by the team scoring the goal.
If an attacking team player moves or overturns the goal, the referees shall disallow the goal.
A goal kick shall be awarded if the goalkeeper throws the ball directly into the opponent’s goal.
Suppose the referee signals a goal before the ball has passed wholly over the goal line and immediately realizes his/her error. In that case, play is restarted with a dropped ball at the edge of the penalty area.
Direct and indirect free and penalty kicks can only be awarded for offenses committed when the ball is in play.
The direct free kick is awarded if a player commits any of the following offenses against an opponent in a manner considered by the referees to be careless, reckless, or using excessive force:
“Careless” is when a player shows a lack of attention or consideration when making a challenge or acts without precaution. No disciplinary sanction is needed.
“Reckless” is when a player disregards the danger to, or consequences for, an opponent and must be cautioned with a yellow card.
“Using excessive force” is when a player exceeds the necessary use of force and endangers the safety of an opponent and must be sent off.
A direct free kick is also awarded if a player commits any of the following offenses:
NOTE ON SLIDE TACKLING: Sliding to block a shot or a pass is permitted as long as the referee doesn’t interpret it as dangerous to who is shooting or passing the ball.
Indirect free kick
Awarded when any of the following offenses is committed (kick taken from the edge of the penalty area when infringement takes place in the penalty area):
Dangerous play (e.g., attempting to kick a ball held by the goalkeeper). A scissors or bicycle kick is permissible, provided it is not dangerous to an opponent.
Obstruction – impedes the progress of an opponent without any contact being made (moving into the opponent’s path to obstruct, block, slow down, or force a change of direction when the ball is not within playing distance)
Charging the goalkeeper in the penalty area (i.e., goalkeeper charge)
The goalkeeper picks up or touches with his hands a back pass
The goalkeeper picks up or touches with his hands a kick in from a teammate on a goal kick; the goalkeeper touches the ball again before it touches another player.
Illegal substitution (kick taken from spots where illegal substitution occurred)
The player taking a direct or indirect free kick, a kick in, or a corner kick plays the ball a second time before another player plays the ball.
If, when a free kick is taken, an attacking team player is less than 1m from a” wall” formed by two or more defending team players, an indirect free kick is awarded to the defending team.
Distance infringement on restarts.
Disciplinary Action:
Players shall be cautioned (i.e., shown a yellow card) when:
He/she commits serious foul play or continuously commits fouls. (this yellow card is punishable with a direct free kick taken from the point of infringement)
The following three yellow card offenses are punishable by an indirect free kick taken from the point of infringement (or from the 6meter line when the infringement occurs in the penalty area).
he/she persistently infringes the Laws of the Game
he/she shows dissent with any decision of the referee
he/she is guilty of un sportsmanship conduct
In the case of a yellow card for unsportsmanlike behavior, no indirect kick is awarded after a goal is scored.
Players shall be sent off (i.e., shown the red card) for:
(a) violent foul play
(b) violent conduct
(c) foul or abusive language
(d) the second instance of caution-able offense (i.e., second yellow card)
(e) intentionally impeding a clear goal opportunity (e.g., through a “professional foul”)
(f) intentionally impeding a clear goal opportunity in the penalty area by handling the ball
Rules of Expulsion: The player sent off (shown a red card) is out for the rest of the game and is not even permitted to sit on the reserves’ bench. The player sent off may be allowed to stay on facility grounds by the league coordinator if he/she deems the player ejected won’t provoke a fight.
The team of the player sent off will play a person down for the remaining of that game.
A player who receives a straight red card automatically sits out the next fixture week.
A player receiving a red card for two yellow cards will not have to sit out a game.
Any player who is physically aggressive towards a referee, staff member, or another player (i.e., pushes, shoves, punches, kicks) will be suspended from the league indefinitely pending a hearing with Houston Town Futsal officials.
If a Final is suspended due to a brawl, the game will be considered canceled; therefore, there will be no winner.
Note: All Leagues, no matter how competitive, are for FUN – Players will receive yellow or red cards for reckless, aggressive, and violent play and or for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Free Kicks
Types: Direct free kicks and indirect free kicks
Wall: At least 10 feet away until the ball is in play
Ball in Play: when it is kicked and moves.
Restriction: The kicker cannot touch the ball again until another player has touched it.
An indirect free kick must be retaken if the referee fails to signal that the kick is indirect and the ball is kicked directly into the goal.
A goal is awarded if a free kick is kicked directly into the opponent’s goal.
If an indirect free kick is kicked directly into the opponent’s goal, a goal kick is awarded to the opponent (unless the referees’ indirect free-kick signal was not made, and the kick must be retaken).
A corner kick is awarded to the opponents if a direct or indirect free kick is kicked directly into the kicker’s own goal.
Where two or more defending team players form a wall, all attacking team players must remain 1 meter from the wall until the ball is in play. Failure to do so is an indirect free kick awarded to the defending team.
Feinting to take a free kick is permitted.
While correctly taking a free kick, a player deliberately kicks the ball at an opponent to play the ball again but not carelessly or recklessly or using excessive force. In that case, the referee will allow play to continue.
PENALTY KICKS
A penalty kick is awarded if a player commits a direct-free-kick offense inside his/her penalty area.
It must be taken from the penalty mark (top of the 3-point basketball line at LNA gymnasium).
The player taking the penalty kick must be identified.
The defending goalkeeper must remain on the goal line, facing the kicker, between the goalposts, without touching the goalposts, crossbar, or goal net, until the ball has been kicked.
The referee must signal for the kick to be taken.
The kicker is to aim at the goal with the intention of scoring.
When the ball is kicked, the defending goalkeeper must have at least part of one foot touching or in line with the goal line.
All players must be out of the penalty area (3-point line arc at LNA gymnasium), and the opposing team’s players must also be at least 10 feet from the penalty spot.
The kicker shall not play the ball a second time until another player has touched it.
KICK OFFS
Taken at the beginning of each game, half, and after a score. The referee must signal with a whistle for the start.
YES, YOU CAN SCORE DIRECTLY FROM A KICK-OFF
GOAL KICKS
A goal kick is awarded when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line on the floor or in the air, having last touched a player of the attacking team, and a goal is not scored.
A goal kick is also awarded when any part of the ball touches the basketball structure, having last touched a player of the attacking team.
The goalkeeper can place the ball anywhere inside the penalty area.
The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves.
The ball must be played to a teammate.
The ball can be played inside the penalty area.
Opponents must be outside the penalty area and 10 feet from where the ball is placed until the ball is in play.
If, when a goal kick is taken, any opponents are inside the penalty area because they did not have time to leave, the referees may allow play to continue. If an opponent who is in the penalty area when the goal kick is taken, or who enters the penalty area or infringes upon the 10-feet distance before the ball is in play, touches or challenges for the ball before it is in play, the goal kick is retaken.
KICK INS
To be taken in place of the throw-in.
A kick-in is awarded to the opponents of the player who last touched the ball when the whole of the ball passes over the touchline on the floor or in the air.
The ball must be stationary on the touchline at the point where it left the pitch.
The ball must be on or behind the touchline.
Failure to observe any of the above causes the kick-in to be retaken by the opposing team.
The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves.
If the kick-in is taken and then, after it has been in play, the ball goes off the pitch over the same touchline where it was taken without touching any other player, it is retaken by the opposing team from the exact location where the original kick-in was taken.
Suppose a player, while correctly taking a kick-in, deliberately kicks the ball at an opponent to play the ball again but not carelessly or recklessly or using excessive force. In that case, the referees allow play to continue.
The kicker cannot play the ball a second time until it has been played by another player; infringement of this rule entails an indirect free kick to the opposing from the point of infringement.
Players on the opposing team must be at least 10 feet away from the point of the kick-in.
An opponent who unfairly distracts or impedes the kicker (including moving closer than 10 feet to the place from where the kick-in is to be taken) is cautioned for unsporting behavior, and if the kick-in has been taken, an indirect free kick is awarded.
Cannot score directly from a kick in.
A goal kick is awarded if the ball enters the opponent’s goal directly.
If the ball enters the kicker’s goal, a corner kick is awarded.
CORNER KICKS
A corner kick is awarded when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line on the floor or in the air, having last touched a player of the defending team, and a goal is not scored.
A corner kick is also awarded if any part of the ball touches the basketball structure, having last touched a player of the defending team, and a goal is not scored.
A goal may be scored directly from a corner kick, but only against the opposing team; if the ball directly enters the kicker’s goal, a corner kick is awarded to the opponents.
The ball is placed in the corner. If the ball is misplaced, the corner kick is taken over.
The ball must be stationary, taken by a player on the attacking team.
When kicked and moved, the ball is in play; it does not need to leave the corner area.
The kicker cannot play the ball a second time until it has been played by another player; infringement of this rule entails an indirect free kick to the opposing team.
Players on the opposing team must be at least 10 feet away from the point of the corner kick.
Suppose a player, while correctly taking a corner kick, deliberately kicks the ball at an opponent to play the ball again but not carelessly or recklessly or using excessive force. In that case, the referees allow play to continue.
Substitution Limit: None
Substitution Method: “Flying substitution” (all players enter and
leave as they, please. The player entering cannot do so until the player coming off is off the field or tagged.
Substitution Zone: The player coming out must also do so from his/her bench side unless authorized by the referee to do so from a different place.
Goalkeeper substitution: This must be done with permission from the referee, who will stop the game to ensure the substitution is done.
Distance on all restarts:
Ten feet on all kick-offs, kick-ins, corner kicks, goal kicks, and free kicks. Infringement is penalized with an indirect free kick from the spot of the infringement.
League matches may be canceled due to weather conditions or unexpected schedule conflicts with Lutheran North Academy.
We will not cancel games until necessary, and decisions are made an hour before game time.
Canceled games may have to be made up on days other than those when games are typically played. In extreme circumstances, Houston Town Futsal reserves the right to run a shortened season without a refund.
Any match called before being an official/completed game will be replayed in its entirety.
A match is considered official/completed if a half has been played.
Houston Town Futsal reserves the right to schedule makeup games or playoff games on days other than your regularly scheduled games.
Teams not able to play a scheduled game will forfeit the game. Teams that forfeit a scheduled game will pay a forfeit fee. Forfeit fees are $50. Forfeit fees are payable by Zelle to Houston Town Futsal: dredd@houstontownfutsal.com within 24 hours of the forfeited game.
Each of the 6 scheduled games that week will result in a 0-2 loss and 6 points will be awarded to each opposing team that week.
NO SHOWS
If a team doesn’t show up to a scheduled game or communicates, they won’t show up within 90 minutes of a scheduled game and are considered forfeits. No Shows are assessed a $50 NO-SHOW FEE. Payable by Zelle to Houston Town Futsal: dredd@houstontownfutsal.com
Each of the 6 scheduled games that week will result in a 0-3 loss and 6 points will be awarded to each opposing team that week.
Each match week of the regular season, there are two, one-hour time slots. You’ll play at one of the following times each week
Time Slot 1: TBD
Time Slot 2: TBD
We’re doing our best to run a fun and organized adult futsal league for all. We understand it’s not going to be perfect and are always striving to do better for our Houstonian neighbors. Please shoot me a note in writing by email to:
David Redd – dredd@houstontownfutsal.com
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