What is Futsal?
Futsal is played with similarities to a small-sided football game. Futsal is a high paced, energetic and fast-flowing game which is supported by FIFA and UEFA with World and European Championships held for clubs and national teams. The name 'Futsal' simply combines the Spanish word for ‘Hall’ – Sala and ‘Football’ – Futbol into Futsal. Futsal is a five-a-side game, played on a court similar to the size of a basketball court with hockey sized goals and a ball with reduced size and bounce.
As Futsal is a small-sided game the pace is fast and players are constantly placed in situations where they must receive or pass the ball whilst under pressure. To succeed in Futsal teams must have a good technique, quick movement, tactical awareness and fitness.
How is Futsal different to Five-a-Side?
| Futsal | Traditional Five-a-Side Football |
| Five players on court with rolling substitutions | Five players on court with limited substitutions |
| Played to lines. Ball is returned to play with a ‘kick-in’ | No by or end lines – use of rebound boards. Ball is constantly in play |
| All players are allowed to enter penalty areas | Only goalkeepers are permitted to enter the penalty area |
| No height restriction on ball | Use of restrictions on height of ball |
| Futsal ball (30% reduced bounce) | Regular football (size 5 for adults) |
| 5 foul limit. Direct free kick from 10 metres after fifth foul with no wall | Unlimited fouls |
| Scaled down goals | Use of rectangular goals |
