The name 'Futsal' simply combines the Spanish words for ‘Hall’ – Sala and ‘Football’ – Futbol into Futsal. It is a 5-aside game, normally played on a slightly larger pitch with hockey sized goals and a smaller ball with a reduced bounce. It is played to touchlines and all players are free to enter the penalty area and play the ball over head height.
As a small sided game players are constantly placed in situations where they must receive or play whilst under pressure or in confined spaces. As a game it places considerable demand on technique, movement, tactical awareness and fitness.
The differences to our traditional versions of Small Sided Football are the absence of rebound boards and some slight amendments in the laws that favour skilful, creative play above the physical contact that tends to be a feature of English five a side.
FIFA in formulating the laws have also incorporated exciting elements from other indoor sports. Thus an accumulated foul count is in place with each and every team foul after the fifth in any one half resulting in an unopposed ten metre penalty. This really conditions the defensive tactics of teams and rewards attacking play. Teams can also use a bench of up to seven rolling substitutes which means that the tempo of games remains high throughout.
Games are played in two twenty minute halves but as the countdown clock is stopped every time the ball is out of play an average game can at International Level last 80 to 90 minutes.
The main differences between traditional English 5 a-side football and futsal are summarised below:
Players & Substitutions
FUTSAL: 5 players on court – rolling substitutions
5 A-SIDE: 5 players on court – limited substitutions
Pitch Boundaries
FUTSAL: Played to lines. Ball is returned to play with a ‘Kick In’
5 A-SIDE: No By or End lines – use of rebound boards. Ball constantly in play
FUTSAL: Use of wider and longer pitch
Access to Penalty Areas
FUTSAL: All players allowed to enter the penalty areas
5 A-SIDE: Only goalkeepers permitted to enter the penalty areas
Ball Height Restrictions
FUTSAL: No height restriction on the ball
5 A-SIDE: Use of restriction on height of the ball
Goals
FUTSAL: Use of square goals (3m x 2m)
5 A-SIDE: Use of rectangular goals
Ball
FUTSAL: Use of Futsal ball (30% reduced bounce)
5 A-SIDE: Use of standard football
Fouls
FUTSAL: 5 Foul limit – No wall for direct free kick from 10 metres after fifth foul
5 A-SIDE: Unlimited fouls
To watch some of the best futsal players in action click on the related link.