The key differences to soccer ...

 

Five players, (including one goalkeeper) can be on the pitch at any one time, with rolling and unlimited substitutions.

 

Teams can replace a regular goalkeeper with a 'flying goalkeeper'; an outfield player in a special shirt in goalkeeper's colours. The power play-style tactic helps coaches to change games and especially chase goals when losing.

 

Each half lasts 20 minutes, with a clock that stops whenever the ball is out of play; both coaches can also call a one-minute time-out each at any point in either half.

Free-kicks and penalties generally work as in soccer. However, once a team have committed five fouls in one half, for every subsequent foul their opponents get a free shot at goal from the second penalty mark, ten metres out (often known as a double penalty). If the foul is closer to goal, the shot can be taken from where the infringement occurred. At half-time foul counts are wiped clean, but they are not erased prior to either extra-time period, where second-half fouls still count.

 

Players are dismissed for two yellow cards or a direct red, and take no further part in the action. Following a sending-off, the penalised team play one person short for two minutes, unless they concede during that time in which case they return to full strength immediately. The player that was sent off, however, cannot be used again.

 

For kick-ins, free-kicks, goal clearances and corner kicks, the player in possession of the ball has four seconds to restart play which the referee will count with their fingers in the air. If play isn't restarted within four seconds an indirect free-kick will be awarded to the opposing team. The goalkeeper is not allowed to control the ball for more than four seconds in their own half.

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​Source: https://www.uefa.com/futsalunder19/news/0262-1083b0377aa6-a225624d90ad-1000--what-is-futsal-a-beginner-s-guide/ accessed October 16, 2023.