What is Futsal?
Futsal is the only form of indoor soccer endorsed by FIFA. It earned the status of FIFA’s official
form of indoor soccer in the 1980s as it was recognized as a scaled down version of outdoor
soccer played indoors. It is a 5 v 5 small-sided game played on a hard surfaced, basketball sized
court with a smaller, heavier low bounce ball. Futsal is played with touchline boundaries and
without walls.
This is the game that outdoor soccer players around the globe play to refine and maintain their
control skills and touch. It is superior to walled soccer in terms of developing better skills and
technique. In traditional American walled soccer, players regularly whack the ball (and sometimes
their bodies) against the boards which promotes improper technique and too often rewards errant
play. In futsal, players are constantly reminded to play the same quality control game that is
required for success in the outdoor game.
The UEFA Graphical Guide to the Game
(http://futsal4all.com/images/futsalthegame.swf)
Futsal is played in all the continents of the world by over 100 countries with 12 million players.
Futsal is played on a gymnasium hard-wood floor or all-purpose sports flooring. The game does
not require the use of expensive dasher boards, as do other versions of indoor soccer, therefore
making it a very economical and safe sport.
The sport is a great skill developer as it demands quick reflexes, fast thinking, pin-point passing.
The small, heavier futsal ball requires players to hone their ball-striking and ball handling
technique. Great soccer superstars such as Pele, Zico, Ronaldo, Messi, Kaka and Katia grew up
playing the game and credit futsal with developing their skills.
The Futsal ball, also known as a reduced bound or low-bounce ball, is smaller than a normal
outdoor soccer ball and heavier. There is a FIFA specification for the ball’s size, weight and
bounce.
These properties are specifically designed to build confidence and develop skill and technique.
When a Futsal ball is received, it virtually ’sticks’ to the foot.
This builds great confidence in tight spaces when rapid passes are being issued repeatedly.
Interestingly, that same property which makes the ball easy to receive makes it more difficult to
strike. A Futsal ball gradually eliminates the ’lazy pass’. It is heavier and players rapidly get
acquainted with the merits of bending the knee, turning the hips, and striking the ball firmly to
propel it. Repeated touches on the ball eventually produce a motion which, when transplanted
outdoors with a high bounce ball, translates into a firmer and proportionately longer pass
appropriate for the big field.
Many programs around the world also claim that smaller size encourages more precise striking of
the ’sweet spot’ of the ball. If one works during the offseason on striking a Futsal ball, then a
larger bouncier ball is struck with greater confidence and authority in the outdoor game.
The field is rectangular.
Length:
Minimum 25m (82 feet)
Maximum 42m (137.8 feet)
Width:
Minimum 15m (49.2 feet)
Maximum 25m (82 feet)
The curved line marking the outer limit of the penalty area is known as the penalty area line.
The Penalty Mark
A mark is drawn 6m (19.6 feet) from the midpoint between the goalposts and equidistant from
them.
The Second Penalty Mark
A second mark is drawn on the pitch 10m (32.8 feet) from the midpoint between the goalposts
and equidistant from them.
The substitution zones are the areas on the touch line in front of the team benches that the
players shall use to enter and leave the pitch.
You can read up on the Laws of the Game
(http://www.usyouthfutsal.com/docs/2012futsallawsofthegameen.pdf)).
Please note that the laws are often modified for youth players under house rules that can vary
from league to league. A list of our House Rules are available on the Carolina Futsal website.