Futsal is FIFA's official indoor soccer game
which is, essentially, a scaled down version of
outdoor soccer played indoors. It is a small
sided game (5v5) played on a smaller field (roughly
basketball court sized) with a smaller (size
3-4) ball. Futsal is played with touchline
boundaries.
There are no walls in play. This is
the game that outdoor soccer players around the
globe play when they are indoors to refine and
maintain their control skills and touch. It is
superior to walled soccer in terms of developing
better skills and technique. In traditional
American walled soccer, players regularly whack
the ball (and sometimes their bodies) against
the boards which promotes improper technique and
too often rewards errant play. In Futsal,
players are constantly reminded to play the same
quality control game that is required for
success in the outdoor game.
Futsal
is the only "Official form of Indoor Soccer" as
approved by the Fédération Internationale de
Football Association FIFA. It is played in all
the continents of the world by over 100
countries with 12 million players. Futsal is
normally played on a gymnasium floor, although
it can be played on a variety of surfaces. The
game does not require the use of
expensive dasher boards, as do other versions
of indoor soccer, therefore making it a very
economical and safe sport.
Because the sport is
a great skill developer, demanding quick
reflexes, fast thinking, pin-point passing, and
a four-second limit on all play restarts it is
an exciting game for children as well as adults.
Great soccer
superstars such as Pele, Zico and Socrates grew
up playing the game and credit Futsal with
developing their skills. Futsal is played with a
special low bounce ball, necessitating players
to use their ball striking skills, rather than
the ball's bounce, to propel it. |
