The Game
Futsal is the format for small sided football approved by FIFA and the FA. It is a fun, fast-paced small sided game that is played indoors on a reduced-size pitch with a smaller and heavier ball than with traditional small sided football. These subtle yet key differences from the traditional game encourage first touch, ball control, quick thinking and concentration throughout the game, all core skills which are advocated at the highest level of football by both FIFA and the FA.
The nature of Futsal, with no ‘rebound boards’ commonly found in 5-a-side, means that the game places a large emphasis on technical skill and ability in situations of high pressure. This means that Futsal provides an excellent way to improve and develop as a footballer, whatever the player’s natural level of ability.
Compared with the traditional game, the laws of Futsal have incorporated useful elements from other indoor sports. Such as an accumulated foul count being in place, with each and every team foul after the fifth in any one half resulting in an unopposed ten metre penalty. This conditions the defensive tactics of teams and rewards attacking play, again key aspects of the development of a football of any ability.
Teams can also use a bench of up to seven rotating 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.
“During my childhood in Portugal, all we played was Futsal. The smaller court helped my footwork skills, the nature of the game made me feel so free when I played. If it wasn’t for Futsal, I would definitely not be the player that I am today.”
“During my childhood in Portugal, all we played was Futsal. The smaller court helped my footwork skills, the nature of the game made me feel so free when I played. If it wasn’t for Futsal, I would definitely not be the player that I am today.”
Ronaldo
The History
The origins of the sport are a matter of debate. Some believe it began in the Young Men’s Christian Associations (YMCA) in Montevideo, Uruguay, at a time when the church used sport to instil moral values, like discipline and honour.
Others believe Brazil invented the game, as the urban sprawl of cities such as Rio and Sao Paulo wiped out the space for 11-a-side pitches.
What is not disputed is that the rules were formalised in Uruguay as a combination of basketball, water polo, handball and, of course, football – 20 minutes each way, five or six-a-side.
In 1989, FIFA took control of the sport and this wider popularity brought changes. With television companies interested, FIFA made the ball twice as big – a size four rather than the size two with which the game began – and much lighter. Spain began to take futsal seriously, using Brazilian-born players to strengthen their team, winning futsal’s World Cup twice. It soon became a regular part of the academies at Barcelona, Real Madrid and elsewhere in La Liga.
UEFA have not been slow to realise the potential of the sport as a superb technical grounding for learning the game. Close control, dribbling, fast decision making and quick execution are all amplified on the Futsal pitch. Coaching for young players age five to 8 years old is increasingly regarded as the crucial starting point in learning the basics of football.
In short, Futsal is the future of football with the potential to be an Olympic Sport and become a lead attraction on national TV, as shown with the success of the Indian Futsal League!