Have you ever played Futsal? If you have, then you might already be a fan. I mean, it’s one of the fastest growing indoor sports in the world that appeals to both young and old. If you haven’t tried it yet, then you definitely should. Not only will you get to try out something new, but you will surely have loads of fun while at it.

However, just like in any other sport or game, if you are going to try futsal, it always pays to have a good understanding of the sport, beforehand. This means knowing a bit about its history and how it came to be, how to play it and also learning the rules and regulations. In this article we will cover all of the above. Read on to find out all about futsal. You will be more competent when you play the game, and you will most likely comit less errors or mistakes.

 

What is Futsal?

The name Futsal can be traced back to Spanish as well as Portuguese names and simply means lounge or indoor football. Unlike soccer or football, this game is played indoors on a court and not outdoors on a pitch. Similar to soccer/ football, it comprises of two teams and there is also a referee. However, each team comprises 5 players including the goalkeeper instead of 11 people. The playing area is referred to as a court just like in basketball and is much smaller than a normal football pitch. The goal of the players is to pass the futsal ball using only their feet. The aim is to move forward and kick the ball inside the opponent’s goal. The ball shouldn’t be handled by hand, as this will count as a foul. The court is well marked and features a net on the sides.

 

How Is Futsal Different From Football/Soccer?

-Playing location: The game is played indoors in an enclosed space such as a basketball court, whereas as soccer is usually played outdoors in an open area such as a park, field, and stadium.

-The number of players: Futsal consists of 5 players including the goalie whereas football has 11 players.

-Surface: It’s played on a hard surface whereas the soccer /football are played on a soft surface. That is why futsal footwear will differ greatly from soccer and football cleats.

-Ball Size: The ball used in Futsal in smaller, heavier, and less bouncy compared to that used for soccer.

-Shoes: You don’t wear cleats. Instead, you wear soft soled shoes that are similar to those worn in basketball.

-Offside’s/Goal kicks: Unlike soccer, there are no offsides. The goalie isn’t allowed to kick the ball when starting. Instead, he/she throws it.

 

How To Play Futsal

Below are the main points and main rules you need to be aware of, in order to play futsal. Read on to see how futsal is played:

 

1. Find A Team

You need two teams each consisting of 5 players. You can ask your classmates, a group of friends, or search for a team in your community.You are most certainly allowed to have more than 5 people on your team. However, only 5 per team are allowed on the court at any given time. Substitutions can be made during the game and unlike football, you can have unlimited substitutions depending on the team members.

2. Identify A Location:

The next step is to find a place where you can play futsal. Being an indoor sport, you need to look for a hard-surface court. Usually, people use a gym, basketball court, or badminton court. The playing zone needs to be well marked for proper play. And unlike soccer, you aren’t allowed to place boards or walls along the edges.

3. Get The Right Gear

Now that you have a good team and the right locatuion, the next thing you need to focus is getting the right gear to play. In our case, we mainly refer to the futsal ball, but also to proper footwear and attire.

Firstly, the futsal ball is smaller than the one for soccer and bounces less. Too much bounce on a hard surface would make it go too far and would also be a challenge to control. You’ll notice that it will be slightly heavier than a soccer ball. Now, in terms of attire and for better safety, you can wear shin guards. Additionally you should have some good shoes to play with so you don’t slide or slip. You should check the best futsal equipment here. NB: Only the goalkeeper can use his/her hands to handle the ball. The rest of the players can only use their legs.

4. Dress Accordingly

It’s important to dress in the right manner when playing. For informal games, you don’t need to invest in official jerseys. However, you still need to make sure the clothes fit right; they are comfortable, and strong to resist tear, wear or fraying. Cotton and polyester are the common materials used because of their strength and good breathability. The shoes for football have a soft sole for maintaining a firm grip on the hard surface. A soccer cleat would be too slippery and uncomfortable. Here is our list of top futsal shoes and best attire to play futsal. Give them a look if you want to gear up.

5. Find Your Prefered Position

The positions in Futsal are less structured than in soccer because of the fewer players. The goalie stays within his/her zone while the other four players will always be switching places during the game. Usually, they move in a stack. They move towards the opponent’s goal when they possess the ball, and retreat back when the opponent has the ball and they need to defend their position.

 

More About How To Play Futsal:

Substitutions are made on the fly and are unlimited. Nevertheless, the player has to leave the court from a designated location before another one is allowed in. The sidelines will be marked showing the correct point of entry and exit. At no point should there be more than 10 players on the field.

Aditionally, you should familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations. For instance, substitutions, how to start the game, how fouls are committed, out of bound balls and much more. You can read the more in depth guide on futsal rules and regulations here.

 

Futsal Meaning

The term Futsal can be said to originate from both Spanish and Portuguese. Reason being it was merged from several words from the two languages. It comes from the Spanish words “futebol de salon or futebol sala” and “futebol de salão” in Portuguese. A word for word translation of these phrases means “gym football” or “football played in a gym”. The terms basically all refer to lounge/hall or indoor football.

Unlike the normal football or soccer, the game is played indoors on a court and not outdoors on a pitch.

The names, both Spanish and Portuguese, were widely used. However, more people seemed to prefer the shortened name which became even more widely accepted. It is easier to say “futsal”. In fact, the name was officially used in 1985 during a futsal game championship held in Madrid, Spain where a sport’s governing body, FIFUSA registered it. Over the years, governing bodies including FIFA have adopted the futsal name and it’s now the official name of the indoor football. The French have translated the name into “football de sale” while the Italians call it “football sala” or “calcio a 5”. And this is pretty much how futsal was defined.

 

Conclusion

Futsal is becoming very popular and people of all ages take part it in. The worlds’ sports governing body, Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), officially recognizes futsal as indoor football. Playing the futsal game is both entertaining and recreational. Nonetheless, just like other sports, you will enjoy it better if you learn a bit about it first, and if you fully understand the rules, and also put in some effort and practice to perfect your skills.