Futsal Substitution: A Complete Guide 2025

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Futsal Substitution: A Complete Guide

The Futsal Substitution is a crucial tactical element that can change the course of a match in seconds. Unlike in association football, futsal substitutions are dynamic and can occur at any moment, offering coaches a wide range of strategic possibilities.

This article details the correct procedure for substitution in futsal, its rules, infractions, and everything you need to know to understand this important facet of the game.

The Futsal Substitution Procedure: Step-by-Step

Understanding the substitution process in futsal is fundamental for players, coaches, and referees. The rules are clear and aim to maintain the flow of the game, avoiding unnecessary interruptions. Here is the step-by-step process:

Player’s Exit: The player being substituted must leave the court through their own team’s substitution zone. An exception occurs in cases provided for in the Laws of the Game, such as injuries that require leaving from another location.
No Prior Permission: The exiting player does not need to ask for permission from any of the referees to leave the court.
Entry without Authorization: Similarly, the referees do not need to authorize the substitute’s entry onto the court.
Order of Entry: The substitute may only enter the court after the substituted player has completely left.
Substitution Zone: The substitute must enter the court exclusively through their own team’s substitution zone.
Completion of Substitution: A substitution in futsal is considered complete when the substitute fully enters the court through the designated zone after handing the bib to the substituted player. If the substituted player had to leave through another area for reasons provided in the rules, the bib is given to the third referee.
Change of Status: From the moment they enter the court, the substitute becomes a player, and the substituted player becomes a substitute, able to return to the game later.
Denial of Substitution: In certain situations, permission for a substitution in futsal may be denied by the referees, such as if the substitute’s equipment does not comply with the rules.
Restrictions on the Substitute: A substitute who has not completed the futsal substitution procedure cannot restart the game by taking a kick-in, penalty kick, free kick, corner kick, goal clearance, or dropped ball.
Return to the Game: The player who was substituted can return to the court at later moments in the match, making futsal substitutions even more strategic.
Authority of the Referees: All substitutes, whether they are playing or not, are subject to the authority and jurisdiction of the referees.

Warming Up for Substitutes

The futsal rules also define the maximum number of substitutes that can warm up simultaneously: a maximum of five substitutes per team may warm up at the same time.

Goalkeeper Substitution and Exchange in Futsal

The goalkeeper position in futsal has some peculiarities regarding substitution:

Free Exchange: Any substitute can switch places with the goalkeeper without needing to inform the referees or wait for a stoppage in play.
Exchange with an Outfield Player: An outfield player can switch places with the goalkeeper, but this exchange must occur during a stoppage in play, and the referees must be informed beforehand.
Goalkeeper’s Uniform: The player or substitute acting as the goalkeeper must wear a goalkeeper’s jersey with their own number on the back.
Fly Goalkeeper: The regulations of some competitions may require that the player acting as a fly goalkeeper (or fifth man) wears the same color jersey as the main goalkeeper.

Infractions and Sanctions in Futsal Substitutions

Failure to comply with the substitution rules in futsal can result in infractions and sanctions for the team:

Improper Entry of a Substitute: If a substitute enters the court before the substituted player has completely left or enters from a location other than the substitution zone:
- The referees stop the game (but may apply the advantage if applicable).
- The substitute receives a yellow card for infringing the procedure and must leave the court.
- If play was stopped, it is restarted with an indirect free kick for the opposing team.
- Additional infringements committed by the substitute or their team may lead to other sanctions, as per the Laws of the Game.
Improper Exit of a Substituted Player: If the player to be substituted leaves the court from a location other than the substitution zone without a reason provided for in the rules:
- The referees stop the game (but may apply the advantage).
- The player receives a yellow card for infringing the procedure.
- If play was stopped, it is restarted with an indirect free kick for the opposing team.
Other Infractions: Other infringements related to the futsal substitution procedure can result in yellow cards for the players involved and a restart of play with an indirect free kick for the opposing team.

Sent-Off Players and Substitutes

The rules for sent-off players and substitutes also impact the dynamics of substitution in futsal:

Sent Off Before the Team List is Submitted: A player sent off before the team list is submitted cannot be included on the match report in any capacity.
Sent Off Before Kick-off: A player sent off after the team list has been submitted but before kick-off can be replaced by a named substitute, who then cannot be replaced.
Sending Off a Substitute: A substitute who is sent off, either before or after the start of the game, cannot be replaced.
Substitution After a Sending-Off: A substitute may enter the court to replace a sent-off player after two minutes of playing time have elapsed since the sending-off (the temporary punishment time), provided they are authorized by the timekeeper or third referee. This rule has some exceptions if a goal is scored during the period of numerical inferiority, as detailed in the original text.

Extra Persons on the Court and Illegally Scored Goals

The rules also address situations involving extra persons on the court during the futsal substitution procedure or at other times during the game, as well as goals scored under these conditions. Sanctions vary depending on the identity of the extra person (team official, illegal substitute, sent-off player, or outside agent) and whether or not they interfered with play.

Unauthorized Re-entry of a Player

If a player who requires permission to return to the court does so without authorization, the referees must stop the game (unless the advantage can be applied or there is no interference), caution the player with a yellow card, and restart play with a direct free kick (if there was interference) or an indirect free kick (if there was no interference).

Conclusion

Substitution in futsal is a fundamental aspect of the sport, with specific rules that ensure order and fairness on the court. Mastering the correct procedure, understanding potential infractions, and the nuances of goalkeeper exchanges are essential knowledge for everyone involved in the world of futsal. By thoroughly understanding the rules of futsal substitution, players and coaches can fully explore tactical strategies, while referees ensure the correct application of the laws of the game.