What is the four-second rule?
Rule- South Africa
- SAFA
- Futsal
- FIFA Futsal Laws of the Game
- Senior
- 2025/26
- Players
Under the FIFA Futsal Laws 2025-26, these restarts must be taken within four seconds of the team being ready (or the referee signalling that it is ready), and at least one referee shows the count clearly.
| Situation | If it takes longer than four seconds |
|---|---|
| Kick-in | Kick-in to the opponents |
| Goal clearance | Indirect free kick to the opponents |
| Corner kick | Goal clearance to the opponents |
| Free kick (direct or indirect) | Indirect free kick to the opponents |
| Direct free kick from the sixth accumulated foul (after the signal) | Indirect free kick to the opponents |
| Goalkeeper controlling the ball (hands or feet) in their own half | Indirect free kick to the opponents |
Referees don't count four seconds at kick-offs or penalty kicks.
Updated 22 Oct 2026