Rule Changes for 2014

The following are a list of all rule changes made to the 2014 L.I. Futsal Laws of the Game from the 2013 version:

Page 6: made the location of the penalty mark more consistent

"On pitches that are marked for basketball, the penalty kick will be taken from

the basketball free throw line. If not already present on the pitch, the penalty

mark is located 20 feet from the midpoint between the goal posts and

equidistant from them."

Page 13: made proper score sheet completion a more obvious part of the referee's responsibilities

Page 19 & 20: changed penalty for goalkeeper sliding to an indirect free kick if an opponent is not playing or trying to make a play for the ball

Page 20: clarified the "goalkeeper double touch" rule

"after releasing the ball from his possession, he receives it back from a team-mate without the ball first having been touched by an opponent or going out of play. This rule does not apply while the goalkeeper is in the opponent’s half of the pitch.

(this rule applies only to U-13 and above)"

Page 20: clarified the point of restart when the goalkeeper throws the ball over the halfway line

"after gaining possession of the ball with his hands, throws the ball over the halfway line without it first touching the floor or a player (restart where the ball crossed the halfway line)"

Page 20: clarifies any sliding while away from an opponent as an indirect free kick.

"attempts a slide (sliding tackle) without challenging an opponent"

Page 26: made the location of the penalty mark more consistent

"On pitches that are marked for basketball, the penalty kick will be taken from

the basketball free throw line. If not already present on the pitch, the penalty

mark is located 20 feet from the midpoint between the goal posts and

equidistant from them."

Page 30: clarified the point of restart when the goalkeeper throws the ball over the halfway line

"If the ball crosses entirely over the halfway line prior to hitting the floor or a

player, an indirect kick is awarded to the opposing team at the point where it

crossed the halfway line."

Referees from Eastern New York officiated Futsal matches at the USSF Developmental Academy Futsal Events in Philadelphia and New Milford.

Congratulations to Brendan Mullarkey, Jiye Zhang and Steven Wowk who officiated at these events

Brendan Mullarkey at the event in Philadelphia

Steven Wowk with US FIFA Futsal Referee Shane Butler