Futsal 101: Sharpen Your Soccer Skills This Year
Are you looking to get better in the offseason? Consider a fast-paced game like futsal. Futsal is a small-sided game that closely resembles soccer.
It is usually played on a basketball court with five players on each team.
The sport continues to grow in popularity. Many of the top soccer players in our area will sharpen their skills with the sport.
In this article, I’ll dive into what it is about and what makes it fun. From here, you can decide whether you want to play or not!
Differences Between Futsal and Soccer
We’ve created this chart to show you the biggest differences between the two sports.
Why Soccer Players Should Play Futsal
Because of the similarities, many youth soccer players in the U.S. will play futsal in the winter months. Some of the reasons why include:
- Enhances ball control and technique
- Develops quick decision-making
- Improves passing accuracy
- Encourages creativity
- Boosts agility and speed
- Builds positioning and spatial awareness
- Strengthens defensive skills
- Increases fitness and endurance
The game of futsal is much faster-paced and requires more technical ability than traditional soccer.
It doesn’t matter if you are a center-back or a striker, futsal games are more direct so you’ll always be in the action!
What Are the Basic Rules of Futsal?
FIFA’s approved set of rules controls present-day Futsal play:
- The futsal ball is heavier, smaller, and has less bounce than a regulation soccer ball. The standard size for a ball is 24 inches to 25 inches, and its weight ranges from 14 ounces to 15.5 ounces.
- The games are officiated by two referees, one for each sideline.
- The game does not include any throw-ins. The game continues with a kick-in.
- Offsides does not exist.
- The goalie must be identified by wearing a jersey of a contrasting color to the rest of the team.
- You can make rolling substitutions at any moment except during time-outs.
- Two 20-minute halves make up the total game time of 40 minutes.
- When a foul is called, or the ball goes out of bounds, time pauses. Time will start again once play is resumed.
- Each team has the option of calling a one-minute timeout per half (when in possession of the ball).
- In the case of overtime, time-outs are not allowed.
If you are a soccer player who wants to get quicker on and off the ball, you should consider playing futsal.
I’ve seen many youth players improve dramatically over winter because they’ve gone all in on the sport. I highly recommend all youth players try it out!
Featured Image Source: https://www.efl.com/news/2024/march/21/gallery–efl-launch-inaugural-national-futsal-finals/
Written By: Beau Bridges
Founder of SoccerNovo
I’m Beau 👋 a proud dad of an MLS NEXT player, former soccer coach, soccer enthusiast, and board member of our local youth sports program. I created soccernovo.com to share my knowledge of the game and help parents learn more about youth soccer in the U.S. I also authored an eBook ‘Soccer Coach Made Simple‘. Learn more about Beau.
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