Futsal and soccer are similar in essence, but there are some main differences that distinguish them. You might already know them. But, if you don’t, you’re in the right spot. By the time you finish reading this review, you’ll be able to know the futsal and soccer / indoor soccer differences.

One thing we know is that more and more people are taking up futsal since its popularity has soared in he past decade. You’ll find adults, teens, and kids participating in this game for recreational purposes or competitively. However, despite having been around for quite a long time (more than 50 years), many people still can’t differentiate between futsal, indoor soccer, and normal soccer/football. We are here to show you what makes them stand apart.

 

What Is The Difference Between Futsal And Soccer?

– Field: Futsal is played on a much smaller play-field whereas soccer is played on a large field. Futsal is played on a basketball ball court, badminton court, gymnasium whereas soccer is played on pitch, field, or at the park.

– Location: Usually, futsal is played in an indoor space such as the gymnasium or basketball court while soccer is played in an open field. In the former, there are no walls or boards around the perimeter. Instead, the boundaries are marked by lines or a net. A soccer pitch will have walls and boards around and this helps to stop the ball from going too far.

– Ball size: A quite notable difference is that the ball used in futsal is much smaller than that used in soccer/football. This is perfect for the small space and is designed for the smaller spaces. Unlike a soccer ball which is filled with pressure using an inflating pump, a futsal ball comes filled with foam and doesn’t require inflating. It is less susceptible to punctures and maintains the density throughout. The main idea is that it will bounce less on the hard surface of the court, so that it is easier to control in the confined and smaller space used to play the game.

– Ball Bounce: As we said, the right ball for futsal is less bouncy than that for soccer or football. It features a firm interior whereas the indoor soccer ball is inflated with air. The less bounce ensures it does bounce too high on the hard surface. In soccer, the tuff or grass reduces the bounce rate and that’s why the ball is supposed to be more bouncy.

– Playing Surface: Futsal is played on a hard surface which is ideal for the less bouncy ball. Soccer, both indoor and outdoor soccer use a surface covered in natural grass or artificial turf. Its softness reduces the bounce of the ball and allows for wearing special cleats with studs for better running traction.

– Ball Weight: Although lighter than a soccer ball, the futsal ball is denser than the soccer ball. It will require more effort to kick or throw it and will move much slower. The ball maintains its weight and size courtesy of the firm interior. The soccer balls are air-filled, and thus lighter. They can be deflated and folded to a smaller size for easy carrying and storage.

– The number of players: Another main difference is that futsal is played by 5 players per team, including the goalkeeper. The two teams will add up to a total of 10 players and a referee on the court. In contrast, soccer is played by 11 players per team including the goalkeeper. There will be a total of 22 players plus the referee present on the soccer field during games.

 

These are the main notable difference between futsal and regular soccer, but we also have to note that in terms of rules for the players, for the goalkeeper and overall gameplay there are also notable distinctions. But in order to cover those, we have written a complete article covering the futsal rules that you can check out.

 

What Is The Difference Between Futsal And Indoor Soccer?

Futsal and indoor soccer are also two separate things. You might think they are similar, since both are played indoors. However, there are quite a few things that contrast, as you can see below:

– Location: As the name suggests, indoor soccer is played indoors in a stadium or field with a roof. Futsal, in contrast, may be played both indoors or outdoors and will be done on a smaller field usually a basketball court, badminton court, or gymnasium.

– Game Duration: Indoor soccer, just like outdoor soccer hast two halves/periods each taking 45 minutes. Usually, the game lasts for 90 minutes (1 hour 30 minutes). In futsal, each half takes 20 minutes and the full game 40 minutes.

– Boundaries: Futsal takes place on an indoor court that uses line markings and net for boundaries, whereas indoor soccer will feature walls and hardboards along the sides.

– Play surfaces: Futsal is played on a hard-court that feels very rigid. The player wears shoes with softer soles for good traction and maximum confirm. In indoor soccer, the field comprises turf or grass and players wear cleats or soccer shoes. Wearing those confers good support and better grip thanks to the studs.

– Ball size: The ball used in futsal is smaller than the one used in indoor soccer. This makes it more effective on the hard play-surface. The futsal ball is also less bouncy to prevent it from jumping too high and out of control on the hard surface. In indoor soccer, the turf makes the ball bounce way less.

– Substitutions: In indoor soccer, you only have up to 3 substitutions. And once all the players have been subbed, you can’t replace any more. On the contrary, substitutions in futsal are done on the fly, and there are no limits on the number of players that can be substituted. You can have 12 substitutions in futsal and the players can enter and leave the field several times during one game.

– Substitution Zone: In futsal, the players can only enter or leave the court via marked substitution zone. In indoors soccer, substitutes and players can leave or join other players from any point along the boundary line.

– Re-Starting The Game After The Ball Goes Out Of Bounds: In futsal, you use goal clearance (this means the goalie throws the ball into play using his hand) while in soccer this is done via a goal kick. In soccer, there are no restrictions on the number of back passes to your goalie. However, in futsal, once the goalie threw the ball into play, he may not touch the ball again (unless it first comes into contact with an opponent)

– Sent-Off Player Substitutions: Futsal allows a player who has been sent off to be substituted. The substitute needs to wait 2 minutes before joining in again. In soccer, a player who has been sent off can’t be replaced.

– Clock: Futsal uses a Stop Clock as a standard, while in Soccer the Running clock is used as the standard.

– When The Ball Goes Out: Another distinguishing feature in the futsal soccer comparison is the throw in. In soccer, you will use your hands to do a throw-in, when this happens. On the other hand, in futsal, you will need to send the ball back into the field via a kick-in.

– Corner Kicks: One major difference here is that in futsal you have a 4 second time limit to kick the ball. If you linger and wait too long the referee will award the other team the ball possession.

Yet again there are some certain rules that belong to futsal alone, and you can read more about those rules here.

 

Summing It All Up

After reading our article, you should now be more aware of the futsal – indoor soccer differences. You must understand that futsal is a hybrid between soccer rule and other indoor game rules such as basketball or handball. This will help you better understand the games, both futsal, and soccer better.

In addition to this, you should now also be perfectly aware that you need very different gear to practice these two sports. For instance, you won’t pick a soccer ball for futsal, or wear soccer cleats at a futsal game. If you decide to gear up for the game, you can first check out some of the best futsal equipment.