What is Futsal?

Futsal originated in South America in the 1930’s when people in large crowded cities faced a shortage of soccer fields. To adjust to the small availability of grass and reduced space, players in Brazil and Uruguay were forced into playing small-sided games.

Futsal is played indoors, which informs the name. Combining the Spanish words for ‘hall’ (‘sala') and soccer (‘futbol’) the term futsal was coined.

Using a 5v5 format, the game is played indoors on hard floors with a smaller ball that is weighted in order to reduce bounce. Much like the outdoor game, boundaries are marked by lines instead of walls.

WHY DO WE PLAY FUTSAL?

Futsal improves all of the fundamental skills young players need to develop. The smaller space and numbers naturally provides players with more time on the ball. Athletes playing futsal receive the ball six times more than they do in the larger outdoor game. More time on the ball means each player's confidence to perform skill under pressure will improve as a result. Improved confidence will lead to better decision-making and ball retention under pressure. 

Playing indoors with lines marked as the boundaries allows us to maintain consistency as we transition from indoors to outdoors in the spring. The presence of boards in indoor soccer brings bad habits that are unrealistic to the game such as bunching along the boards and kicking the ball off of the wall without a plan. Eliminating the temptation of these bad habits better prepares players for the outdoor game.

HOW IS FUTSAL DIFFERENT FROM INDOOR SOCCER?
In futsal, a greater emphasis is placed on ball control and technique. Players do not have the "safety net" of walls to keep errant passes or shots in play. This encourages precise ball striking, passing, receiving, dribbling and movement off the ball. A futsal court is also smaller than most walled indoor fields which means players must make quicker decisions. The need for quick decision-making is crucial to player success