What is Futsal? What is Futsal? Futsal is an exciting, fast-paced small sided football game that originates from South America in the 1930s.

It is widely played across the Many of the top world class footballers world, and is the small sided THE BASIC RULES played Futsal in their youth and credit it with football format that is officially Futsal is a five-a-side recognised by both UEFA supporting their footballing development; players of game, normally played on and FIFA. the calibre of Pele, Zico, Ronaldinho, Kaka and a flat indoor pitch with There are a number of Lionel Messi to name but a few of the South The nature of the game places a hockey sized goals and a differences to our American legends who all played and enjoyed large emphasis on technical skill size four ball with a traditional version of small Futsal. But Futsal has not just helped produce South and ability in situations of high reduced bounce. It is sided football, but the pressure, and is subsequently an American football stars. On the European stage played to touchlines and dominant elements are excellent breeding ground for Cristiano Ronaldo, Deco, Xavi and Fabregas, all players are free to the absence of rebound

football competencies that can amongst many others, have played Futsal to enter the penalty area and boards and amendments be translated into the 11-a-side develop their skills.

in the laws that encourage format of the game. play the ball over head height. Games are and foster skilful, creative Futsal was important in helping to develop “ Futsal began in Uruguay and 20 minutes per half, play above the physical Brazil where the large crowded my ball control, quick thinking, passing… played to a stopping clock contact that tends to be a cities and a shortage of playing “also for dribbling, balance, concentration… (similar to basketball) with feature of English pitches forced a football mad Futsal was very, very important, no doubt. five-a-side. populace to play small sided Pele, World Cup Winner: 1958, 1962 & 1970 time-outs permitted. football and in 1936 the first

rules emerged. Futsal was the I played Futsal for many years and it helped

name chosen by FIFA, which is me to become the player I am today. There you simply a combination of the “ “ don't have time to think, you are always Spanish words for ‘hall’ (Sala) tightly marked and you develop a sense for and ‘football’ (Futbol): performing in small spaces. hence ‘Futsal’. Robinho, Brazil World Futsal Futsal is the dominant form of small sided football across the world.

Over 96 countries entered the FIFA, UEFA and The FA are FIFA Futsal World Cup held in keen to support the Brazil in 2008. Along with a development of Futsal for a World Cup for Futsal, there is a number of reasons, but UEFA European Futsal primarily for the recognised Championship for international benefits that Futsal offers for teams to enter every two years the technical development of and there is an annual UEFA football players. Many countries Futsal Cup which acts as the that we admire for the

“Champions League” for Futsal, technical skills of their players

with national domestic club use Futsal as an aspect of their

champions entering. The rapid youth development. Ball On top of this I really liked Futsal is an In Futsal you “

growth and development of retention, quick and skilful play, testament from a extremely important have to think playing Futsal. Futsal is acknowledged by and tactical awareness are all respected coach, “ “““ way for kids to quickly and play Futsal helped me FIFA, who claim that it is the major assets that the game of world-class foreign develop their skills fast. It's a great a lot.

“fastest growing indoor sport in Futsal helps to promote. players that we and understanding environment in Luis Fabiano, Brazil the world.”

admire in England for of the game. My which to learn. their silky touches, touch and my “ Zico, 88 games & 66 goals wonderful vision and dribbling have come for Brazil

The Brazilian 2002 World Cup winning coach amazing ball-control from playing

Luiz Scolari has commented that: openly attribute an Futsal. important element of “ Ronaldinho, FIFA World Futsal is a good starting point for a their skill development Footballer of the Year “footballer, we need to take advantage to their involvement 2004 & 2005 of what Futsal has to offer. in Futsal.

Futsal Futsal….it makes you“ more composed on the ball in england “and makes you want the ball more, so you can do something with it. Since 2003 The FA have been supporting the Micah Richards, England’s youngest capped defender introduction of Futsal in England.

During that time the game has grown rapidly. From humble beginnings within this country, with limited awareness and even more limited structures, The FA has established a framework England Senior FA National Futsal The FA Futsal Cup British Universities The FA National for promoting and Men s Team enters the Leagues were was established in 2004 and British Youth Futsal developing the sport. FIFA Futsal World Cup and established in 2008 and are offering competitive Futsal Colleges Futsal Festival has been To support the growth and UEFA European Futsal comprised of three regional opportunities for both men’s Championships are running since 2007 to development of Futsal, Championships as well as divisions (North, Midlands and women’s Futsal teams two competitions that have encourage young people to The FA has been working playing a number of and South) with eight teams through local qualifying been going from strength- participate in Futsal. Boys’ closely with schools, international friendly in each division that play leagues, to regional finals to-strength over recent and girls’ teams from across teachers and young people matches each season. The throughout the season. The and onto the three-day years with a large number of the country between the across the country to build England team draws their top two teams from each National Finals. In 2009 over colleges and universities ages of 10 – 16 years old the awareness and players from the leading league progress to the 500 teams from across the across Britain entering male progress through regional understanding of Futsal. Futsal clubs that play in the Grand Finals to contest the country entered The FA and female teams. The festivals to reach the The FA has also introduced FA National Futsal Leagues. title of National Futsal Futsal Cup. growth of university and National Youth Futsal a Futsal Referees Course Champions. The National college Futsal is significantly Festival. This event is hugely and runs high-quality Champions progress into the important for the ongoing popular and is helping to Futsal Coaching Courses. UEFA European Futsal Cup development of the game. promote the game within to represent England. schools and youth clubs. Playing futsal: Getting started Futsal is still a relatively new sport in England.

This means you may Futsal Pitch Although we would find difficulties in Ideally the game should recommend playing the finding an be played indoors in any game indoors, at an appropriately sized appropriately sized introductory stage there is court or are unable to school or community no harm in playing access proper Futsal sports hall. At a outdoors as long as the goals. But try not to recreational level we surface is hard and firm. be put off by this; in would suggest that the Futsal can be played on essence Futsal is a minimum pitch size is 25 artificial grass, but this simple game that at a metres by 15 metres with surface does slow the recreational level can a run-off around the pitch pace of the game. For this be played anywhere. of two metres. The floor reason Futsal shouldn’t be surface should be played on grass. wooden or a suitable synthetic floor that is smooth and flat. Pitch markings can be laid down with tape.

Futsal Pitch dimensions The minimum pitch dimensions are 25m x 15m The maximum pitch dimensions are 42m x 25m Futsal before you start playing. goals are safe and secure do make sure that the with any form of football, proper Futsal goals. As struggling to access be used if you are these alternatives could or handball goals, and are very similar to hockey metal goals. Futsal goals as well as the stronger goals can be purchased dimension and inflatable metres by two metres in Futsal goals are three Futsal goals

playing Futsal. equipment are needed when It is important to know what types of Equipment substantially be altered. nature of the game will football the essence and of a normal 11-a-side and if neglected in favour an essential component, football. The Futsal ball is heavier than a normal these are smaller and proper Futsal ball, as Futsal you will need a that truly resembles In order to play a game Futsal ball their own. person to do on challenging for one managing the time can be refereeing a game and but the job of effectively level this is not essential match. At a recreational to officiate a Futsal a timekeeper are required game, three referees and At elite levels of the Futsal Referees

Futsal laws

www.futsalplanet.com

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www.FIFA.com

www.TheFA.com

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. of the game the of penalty area. allowed to go into, the come out of, and players are Goalkeepers are allowed to Goalkeepers bench. of the respective team’s the field of play from in front Players must enter and leave must stay on or off the pitch. limit on how long a player in one match and there is no Up to 12 players can be used Substitutions There are no height restrictions. Head Height of play. pitch and the ball can go out Futsal is played on a marked The Pitch opposition have scored a goal. minutes have passed, or the players until either two belongs must remain with four team to which the player If a player is sent off then the Red Cards kick ins and penalties. kicks, corners, goal clearances, possession of the ball on free five metres from the player in Players are required to keep Rule The Five Metre the line. kick in must not cross of the player taking the on the touchline and the feet must be placed stationary and from corners. The ball into play from the touchline play the ball is kicked back after a ball has gone out of In order to restart the game Kick In ball in the opponents’ half. goalkeeper is passed the touched the ball or if opposition player has ball again unless an goalkeeper cannot touch the thrown out and the A goal clearance must be Back Passes own half. than four seconds in his control the ball for more goalkeeper is not allowed to opposing team. The will be awarded to the seconds an indirect free kick restarted within four fingers in the air. If play isn’t referee will count with their restart play which the the ball has four seconds to the player in possession of clearances and corner kicks For kick ins, free kicks, goal Rule The Four Second took place. the position where the foul the kick may be taken from than the 10 metre mark, then committed closer to the goal mark or, if the foul was be taken from the 10 metre and the goal. The kick may keeper) between the ball players (other than the goal allowed to position any the defending team is not to the opposing team and a direct kick will be awarded game, then on the sixth foul kicks in each half of the dir five away give Each team will be allowed to Accumulated Fouls ect free each half. timeout of 60 seconds Each team is permitted one Timeouts of two halves of 20 minutes. game. Futsal games consist there is a stoppage in the goes out of play or when stopped whenever the ball whereby the clock will be stopping clock (real time) Matches are played with a Duration