What Is Futsal? 

 

The game Futsal was established in the 1930s out of Uruguay. With many similarities to the game of Soccer, the sport was constructed from a mix of Basketball, Handball, Water Polo, and Soccer. Futsal is a five-a-side game played on an indoor hard court roughly the size of a basketball court, with the same end goal as Soccer; outscore your opponent by kicking the ball into the net; as simple as that. The smaller space was designed to focus on control, technique, and creativity, and it's used as a development tool for standard 11-a-side Soccer. The ball used is smaller and harder than a typical soccer ball. Substitutions are made on the fly, and you can have unlimited subs; however, only 12 players can be used throughout the game. Futsal is two 20-minute halves with stop time at every dead ball; each team can call one timeout per half. 

 

There are five positions on the pitch. Goalkeeper, Defender, Winger, Pivot, and Universal. 

 

Goalkeepers' main job is obviously to defend the goal, although they are generally more involved in outfield play than Soccer. The smaller pitch makes goalie throws more significant to maintain possession. The goalkeeper will likely tape their fingers rather than wear gloves to aid throwing.

 

Defender is the last man back ahead of the goalkeeper, but they play a more significant role in starting and joining the attack than you'd see in Soccer. 

 

Winger is typically the most skilled and creative player on the pitch. They are crucial in the attack and in defending the goal. 

 

Pivot is often the most forward player on the pitch. Their job is to be a goal scorer and a playmaker who can control the ball. If a change is needed, you will see the pivot control the ball to allow substitutions. 

 

Universal, just like the name, is someone who can be relied on in all situations and able to perform in most positions if needed.

 

Many rules follow suit to Soccer, but they do have some quirks of their own. Free kicks and penalties are just like Soccer. Once a player has received a red card or two yellow cards, it results in an ejection for the remainder of the match. The penalized team is shorthanded for 2 minutes, and if the other team scores, it goes back to five on five, very similar to a powerplay in Hockey. If the ball goes out of bounds or hits the ceiling, play resumes with a kick-in. If the ball crosses the end line, it results in either a corner or a throw-in by the keeper, depending on the last touch. Players have four seconds to make a play on free kicks, goal clearances, corner kicks, and kick-ins. The opposition will have a free kick if they elapse the four seconds. 

 

The most prosperous countries in international play come from Europe and South America. Some of the greatest Soccer players in the world credit their skills to Futsal, such as Christiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Neymar. Spain's regarded as the most dominant country; they have won seven men's senior UEFA titles and two FIFA Futsal World Cups.