The Rules of Futsal (Futsala) - EXPLAINED!

Summary

Futsal is a fast-paced, indoor variant of football (soccer) that emphasizes skillful ball control and quick strategy. Played on a smaller court with teams of 5 players, including a goalkeeper, the game requires precise passing and dribbling. Key differences include a smaller, low-bounce ball, no offside rule, and strict fouls leading to free kicks or penalty shots. With unlimited substitutions, timeouts, and a unique approach to restarts (kick-ins, goal throws, corner kicks), futsal offers a dynamic, tactical challenge. Ideal for players looking for a fast and technical game, futsal combines elements of football with intense, compact action.

Takeaways

• 😀 Futsal is an indoor version of football, played with 5 players on each team, including one goalkeeper.
• 😀 The objective of the game is to score more goals than the opposing team by getting the ball completely over the goal line.
• 😀 Futsal is played on a smaller court (40m x 20m) with smaller goals (3m wide, 2m high).
• 😀 The ball used in futsal is a smaller Size 4 ball with less bounce, making ball control and passing more important.
• 😀 There is no offside rule in futsal, unlike in regular soccer.
• 😀 Players can only use their feet to control and move the ball, with no shoulder charges or slide tackles allowed.
• 😀 Fouls lead to free kicks, and accumulating five fouls results in the opposing team being awarded a direct free kick or penalty for each subsequent foul.
• 😀 Each team is allowed one 1-minute timeout per half to discuss strategy, but unused timeouts do not carry over.
• 😀 Players can substitute unlimited times, but all substitutions must be made through the substitution box on the sideline.
• 😀 Goalkeepers have only 4 seconds to play the ball after gaining possession, encouraging faster play.
• 😀 If the ball leaves the court, the team that didn’t touch it last is awarded either a kick-in, goal throw, or corner kick depending on the location of the ball exit.

Q & A

What is the objective of futsal?

The objective of futsal is to score more goals than the opposing team. The game is played with two teams, and the team that has the highest score at the end of the match wins.

How many players are on the field at a time in futsal?

Each team has up to 14 players, with 5 players on the court at any given time, including one goalkeeper and four outfield players.

What is the size of the futsal court?

The futsal court measures 40 meters by 20 meters.

How do you score a goal in futsal?

To score a goal, the entire ball must completely cross the goal line and enter the goal. The ball must not touch any part of the player's arm or hand in the process.

What are the main ways to move the ball in futsal?

The two main ways to move the ball are passing (kicking the ball to a teammate) and dribbling (running with the ball while controlling it with the feet).

What happens if a defender commits a foul in futsal?

If a defender commits a foul, it can lead to a free kick for the opposing team. In some cases, a yellow card (warning) or a red card (sent off) may be issued.

How long is a futsal match, and how does the clock work?

A futsal match is played in two halves of 20 minutes, totaling 40 minutes of play. The clock stops every time there is a stoppage of play, and there is no added time.

What are the key differences between futsal and regular soccer?

Key differences include the smaller ball, which has less bounce, smaller goals, no offside rule, no shoulder charges or slide tackles, and a faster pace due to the indoor setting and shorter court.

What is the rule regarding fouls and free kicks in futsal?

If a team accumulates 5 fouls, the opposing team is awarded a direct free kick or penalty kick for every successive foul committed.

How does substitution work in futsal?

Futsal allows unlimited substitutions, but they must be made through the substitution box on the sidelines. Substitutions can happen at any time during the match.