What is Futsal?
Futsal is a fast-paced small-sided soccer game that closely resembles soccer. It is usually played on a basketball court with five players on each team.
The sport is growing in popularity in the U.S. and all over the globe.
The game of futsal is much faster-paced and requires more technical ability than traditional soccer.
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!
Why Should You Play Futsal?
First, let’s address this question.
Young athletes love the game because it’s fast-paced and welcomes a lot of action. You rarely go a minute without touching the ball.
For those players in the northeast, it can be too cold to play soccer outside in the winter. Futsal can be a great alternative.
Futsal encourages free play, creativity, and quick decisions. The fewer the touches, the better.
Sometimes soccer can feel like a game of “keep away”. But, futsal is all about the goals!
What Are the Basic Rules?
Now that you’ve shown some interest in futsal, let’s get down to the basic rules.
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.
