Futsal is the only indoor game sanctioned by FIFA. If skills development is important, Futsal is recognized as clearly the best form of indoor soccer. But that's not the only reason.
    •     Better Skills Development - Futsal promotes quality touches
    •     Safer - Futsal eliminates the injuries associated with wall collisions
    •     Less Expensive - Futsal makes quality soccer more affordable

WHO SAYS FUTSAL IS BETTER THAN INDOOR SOCCER?
FIFA says Futsal is better. US Soccer & USYSA says Futsal is better. And the Brazilians are among the many nations that swear by it. Pele, Renaldo and Bebeto all credit Futsal for much of their skill and technique development. All the major heads of US Soccer and FIFA declared that this is the way to go. Once you experience Futsal, you will see the reasons.

IS FUTSAL NEW?
Futsal is the new rage in American soccer. However, as is often the case, the US is just catching on to what the world already knows. Superior soccer skill is built by simulating the outdoor game indoors with small sided games and a smaller ball. World famous clubs such as Ajax have used this approach for years. Futsal has been around for over fifty years but US interest in soccer skill development has only recently focused attention on the training techniques used in successful soccer powerhouses such as Brazil, Holland, Germany, France, and Italy. So, Futsal has been around for many years but interest is just starting to explode in the United States.

HOW DOES FUTSAL PROMOTE BETTER TECHNIQUE?
Just watch Futsal players fight to keep the ball from crossing the touch line and you'll immediately begin to see how Futsal develops skill, control, and technique. A small field with lines puts players constantly under pressure from other players and out-of-play boundaries. Players must learn to settle the ball rapidly, chop sharply, shield effectively, pass quickly and move into space.

Compared to walled soccer or large indoor field soccer, Futsal places a greater premium on ball control. There is no reward for errant passes because the other team gets the ball. There is no reward for errant shots because the other team gets the ball. There is no incentive to 'kick and run' because the field is too small and packed with players. Players with the ball must use proper technique to maintain control and must seek out other players in space. Players without the ball must move to 'real' space and must truly support their teammates.

With Futsal, the emphasis is clearly on control and technique. Without control and technique you cannot expect to succeed in Futsal. And, if US players are to be more successful in the international arena, it is clear that we must better train and prepare our youth on proper technique. Playing indoor soccer in a hockey rink just does not make sense to any serious development program. If you are serious about skills and technique development, Futsal is the superior activity. Futsal promotes better technique and develops skills more rapidly. And if you are serious about the quality of the time you spend playing or watching soccer games, Futsal is clearly better.

HOW IS FUTSAL BETTER THAN WALLED SOCCER?
Futsal improves player soccer skills better than walled soccer for both offensive and defensive skills training.

As an offensive Futsal player, there are no walls to save errant passes. There are no walls to stop long balls. There are no walls to rebound errant shots. There are no walls against which to pin the ball or your opponent. There are no walls to help you if you lack the feinting skills to beat a defender. There are no walls to save you if your teammates are not moving into space to support you. In general, you must control the ball, use proper touch and technique, use correct pace, send accurate service, and truly work dynamic combinations.

As a Futsal defender, you can 'face up' on an oncoming player just like in outdoor soccer (there is no wall pass to beat you). You can let errant passes go out of bounds to win the ball (the proper result of your opponent's faux-pas). Goalies and defenders can concentrate on proper shot blocking angles. You do not need to worry about long overhead balls which should go out of bounds. You can drive an oncoming player into the side to break up break-aways or outnumbered breaks. In general, you can practice and perfect the defensive techniques which apply to outdoor soccer. You don't waste time working on defending against phantom players (i.e. walls).

Consider some of the key problems with the following typical hockey-rink style Indoor soccer scenarios:

About Futsal

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.

United States Futsal Federation (USFF) is the national governing body for the sport of Futsal, in the United States. 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.

History of the Game

The origin of Futsal can be traced back to Montevideo, Uruguay, in 1930 when Juan Carlos Ceriani devised a five-a-side version of soccer for youth competition in YMCAs. The game is played on basketball-sized courts, both indoors and out without the use of sidewalls. The term FUTSAL is the international term used for the game. It is derived from the Spanish or Portuguese word for "soccer", FUTbol or FUTebol, and the French or Spanish root word for "indoor" or "room", SALon or Salle or SALa. Taken literally, Futbol means 'foot and ball' (i.e. playing outdoors) and Futsal indicates 'Futbol in room' (i.e. playing indoors).

The game is frequently referred to as Five-A-Side. Once Ceriani got the ball rolling, Futsal gained rapid popularity throughout South America, particularly in Brazil. The skill developed in this game is visible in the world-famous style the Brazilians display outdoors on the full-sized field. Pele, Zico, Socrates, Bebeto and other Brazilian superstars developed their skill playing Futsal. While Brazil continues to be the Futsal hub of the world, the game is now played, under the auspices of FIFA, all over the world, from Europe to North and Central America and the Caribbean, South America, Africa, and Asia and Oceania.

The first international competition took place in 1965, when Paraguay won the first South American Cup. Six more South American Cups were held through 1979, with Brazil winning all of them. Brazil continued its dominance with a victory in the first Pan American Cup in 1980 and won it again the next time it was played in 1984. A U.S. team took part in the 1984 cup, but finished out of the running.

The U.S. Futsal Federation was incorporated in January, 1983. Osvaldo Garcia was the first president The game originally was referred to as Minisoccer and then became known by its official international name, Futsal. The current federation president is Alexander J.C. Para.

The first Futsal World Championship conducted under the auspices of FIFUSA (before its members integrated into FIFA in 1989) was held in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in 1982, with Brazil finishing in first place. The Brazilians repeated as champions at the second World Championship in 1985 in Spain, but lost in the third World Championship in 1988 in Australia to Paraguay. FIFA took over direct sponsorship of the event in 1989 in Holland and 1992 in Hong Kong. Brazil won both times. The U.S. Futsal (Indoor Team), finished third in 1989 and second in 1992. The highest showing by any team from the United States in a FIFA tournament until the U.S. Women's team won the gold medal in China for outdoor soccer. The Third FIFA World Futsal Championship was be held November 24 through December 11, 1996 in Spain.

The first international Futsal match in the United States was held in December, 1985, at Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park, Calif. The U.S. select team, defeated Australia, 9-5.

U.S. Futsal has conducted a National Championship each year since 1985. Futsal is establishing itself at the youth level in the U.S. The Boys and Girls Clubs of America took a strong interest after the Columbia Park Club in San Francisco asked the Federation to give a demonstration. The national organization adopted the sport, and it is now played at about 1,100 Boys and Girls Clubs throughout the U.S.

The U.S. Youth Soccer Association (USYSA) and U.S. Futsal signed an agreement in August of 1995, to promote Futsal in all National State Associations under the auspices of U.S. Futsal. Massachusetts was the first state to sign an agreement with U. S. Futsal. The current New York East  President is John Branca.

RULES OF PLAY

The Rules of Competition shall be the United States FUTSAL Federation (USFF) Laws as modified below.

As always our emphasis is on Good Sportsmanship and Fair Play, “in the opinion of the Referee…” Unsportsmanlike behavior will not be tolerated on the court OR in the stands. Players or spectators who fail to conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner will be asked to leave the facility and play will be suspended until they comply. Repeated unsportsmanlike behavior may result in a player's suspension from the league play or a spectator being barred from entry into the playing arena.

IFK:  Indirect free kick

DFK: Direct free kick

“2‑Touch” Rule: Applies ONLY AFTER the ball is “in play”.

▪         IF the player, who put the ball into play, touches the ball; then IFK at the Infringement *{except inside the Penalty Area}.

▪         IF the player, who put the ball into play, deliberately “handles” the ball; then DFK at the Infringement or PK at the Penalty Mark (if in own Penalty Area).

“4‑Second” Rule: Applies ONLY AFTER a team is able to “correctly” restart play.

▪         IF team takes more than 4 seconds to restart play, then IFK at the Ball Position*{except inside the Penalty Area}.

*{except inside the Penalty Area}:

▪         ANY DFK or IFK awarded to the DEFENDING team in their own Penalty Area may be taken from ANY point within their Penalty Area.

▪         ANY IFK awarded to the ATTACKING team in the opposing team‘s Penalty Area MUST be taken from the Penalty Area line (“Free‑Throw Line” extended) closest to the Infringement or Ball Position when play was stopped.

▪         ANY Dropped Ball in the Penalty Area MUST be taken from the Penalty Area line (“Free‑Throw Line” extended) closest to the Ball Position when play was stopped.

• Field of Play: Hardwood Surface. 120X 75 feet

• Goal: 10 feet wide and 6 feet high

• Center Spot: Center of the Playing Court

• Center Circle: at least 10 feet radius around the Center Spot

• Goal Area: NONE.

• Penalty Area: Top: 20 feet; Sides: about 40 feet; Back: End Line.

• Penalty Mark: 20 feet from center of goal

• 2^nd Penalty Mark: ~32 feet from center of the Goal

• Team Benches: ~10 feet from the Touch Line and separated by the Officials Table

• Substitution Zones: In front of each Team Bench

• Circumference: ~24.5 - 25 inches [provided by the league].

• Pressure: between 5.9 - 8.5 lbs/in².

• Number of Players: 5, one of whom is the goalkeeper

• To Start Match: 4 players

• To Terminate or Abandon Match: 3 or less players

• Max Number of Substitutes: Youth league: 7; Adult Leagues: 9

• Number of Substitutions (including Goalkeeper): Unlimited and “On-the-Fly” (while the ball is “in play”):

▪         Referee’s permission is NOT NEEDED and;

▪         Player leaves at own Substitution Zone (unless directed otherwise by the Referee) and;

▪         Substitute enters at own Substitution Zone AFTER the player leaves the Playing Court and

▪         Substitute becomes a player upon entering the Playing Court

      Infringement:

▪         Player leaves at other than own Substitution Zone except WITH Referee’s permission or;

▪         Substitute enters at other than own Substitution Zone or;

▪         Substitute enters before the player leaves the Playing Court

      Referee:

▪         MAY stop play and;

▪         MAY CAUTION the infringing player and /or substitute and;

▪         IF at the Ball Position when play was stopped *{except inside the Penalty Area}.

• Goalkeeper CHANGE with Another Player:

      Referee’s permission is NEEDED and;

      ANY “possession” or “Referee-controlled” restart, injury, or misconduct stoppage.

      Infringement:

                  WITHOUT Referee’s permission or;

                  NOT at a “correct” stoppage.

      Referee:

                  DOES NOT stop play and;

                  At the NEXT stoppage CAUTIONS BOTH infringing players.

“A player must NOT use equipment or wear anything which is dangerous to themselves or another player, including ANY kind of jewelry” (soft pads OK for ALL players).

• Uniform: Jersey, Shorts, Socks, Shin guards, and [appropriate] Shoes are required.

• Numbers: NOT required.

• Goalkeeper: Contrasting jersey from other players and Referee and ONLY player that may wear long pants.

      ANY Infringement:

      Referee:

▪         DOES NOT stop play except for “Dangerous Play” and;

▪         At the NEXT stoppage INSTRUCTS the infringing player to LEAVE the Playing Court

▪         At a SUBSEQUENT stoppage VERIFIES that the “problem” is corrected before re-entry of THAT player (NEEDS Referee’s permission to re-enter).

▪         “…has FULL authority to enforce the Laws of the Game…from the moment he/she enters the parking lot where the Playing Court is located until he/she leaves the parking lot."

▪         “Allows play to continue when the team against which an offence has been committed will benefit from such an advantage and penalizes the original offence if the anticipated advantage does not ensue at that time.”{Advantage}

▪         “The decisions of the Referee regarding facts connected with play are FINAL.”

▪         “The Referee may change his/her decision provided that play has not restarted or the match has ended.”

• Second Referee: NO Second Referee.

• Timekeeper (site administrative representative):

▪         Backup to the Referee on the duration of the match;

▪         Backup to the Referee on the score of the match;

▪         Controls the “2-minute punishment period” when a player is “Sent Off”;

▪         Records the “Accumulated Fouls” for each team and signals the Referee when either team commits their 5th “DFK” foul in each period (U-15+ ONLY).

• Third Referee: NO Third Referee.

• Halves: 18 minutes, duration of ANY period is extended to allow taking of a Penalty Kick or “Accumulated‑Foul” DFK.

• Half-time: 4 minutes.

• Time-out: NO time-outs.

• Overtime: NONE in “League Play”.  Tournament rules will specify usage and duration.

• NO “Grace” period!  The clock starts at the scheduled match time!  If either team cannot field the minimum number of players (3) after 5 minutes, the match is abandoned.

• “home team”takes first kick off. Visitors select which side to defend.

▪         Home team is the first team listed on scheduled match-up

• Kick-Off:

▪         “Stationary” on the Center Spot;

▪         Opposing players at least 10 feet from the ball in all directions until the ball is “in play”;

▪         Referee gives a signal;

▪         The ball is “in play” when it is “kicked and moves” FORWARD.

▪         CAN SCORE “DIRECTLY”

      Infringement:

▪         “2‑Touch” Rule: YES

▪         “4‑Second” Rule: NO

▪         Other: Retake the Kick-Off.

• Dropped Ball:

▪         Referee drops the ball at the Ball Position when play was stopped *{except inside the Penalty Area};

▪         The ball is “in play” when it “directly” touches the Playing Court

▪         CAN SCORE “DIRECTLY”

▪         ANY Infringement: Retake the Dropped Ball.

• Ball Out of Play: The WHOLE of the ball leaves the Playing Court; or the Referee stops play; or the ball hits the ceiling or overhanging apparatus.

      Infringement:

                  The ball hits the ceiling or overhanging apparatus.

      Referee:

If the ball was clearly leaving the Playing Court, Goal Clearance, Corner Kick, or Kick‑In as appropriate:  Kick‑In on the Touch Line nearest where the contact occurred.

▪         “A goal is scored when the WHOLE of ball passes over the goal line, between the goalposts and under the crossbar, provided that no infringement of the Laws of the Match has been committed previously by the team scoring the goal.”

▪         A goal CANNOT be scored “directly” from a Kick‑In, an IFK, or a DFK against your own goal.

• DFK at the Infringement or • PK at the Penalty Mark (if in own Penalty Area): {Accumulated Foul}

▪         Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent;

▪         Trips or attempts to trip an opponent;

▪         Jumps at an opponent;

▪         Charges an opponent (NO “physical” charge);

▪         Strikes or attempts to strike at an opponent (also a Send-Off);

▪         Pushes an opponent;

▪         Holds an opponent;

▪         Spits at an opponent (also a Send-Off);

▪         DELIBERATELY “handles” the ball (except the goalkeeper as long as ANY part of his/her body is “IN” own Penalty Area regardless of the position of the ball);

▪         Slides in an attempt to play the ball when it is being played or attempted to being played by an opponent (except the goalkeeper “IN” own Penalty Area).  {Slide Tackle}

▪         Plays in a dangerous manner; {Dangerous Play}

▪         Deliberately impedes an opponent when the ball is NOT within “playing distance”; {Obstruction}

▪         Prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his/her hands;

▪         Goalkeeper controls the ball with his/her hands for more than four seconds;

▪         Goalkeeper “handles” the ball after it was deliberately kicked by a teammate to him/her (direction is irrelevant);

▪         Goalkeeper “handles” the ball “directly” from a Kick‑In by a teammate;

▪         After having “released” the ball, Goalkeeper “handles” the ball BEFORE it has been touched by (1) an opponent or (2) a teammate outside the Penalty Area;

▪         Goalkeeper throws the ball in the air farther than the opposing “Free‑Throw Line” extended to the Touch Line (EITHER “Save” OR “Goal Clearance”).  (IFK at the nearest point on the opposing “Free‑Throw Line” extended.);

▪         Goalkeeper “PUNTS” the ball.  (“PUNT” is defined as kicking the ball either before it hits the court or after it rebounds from it).  (IFK at the nearest point on the HALFWAY line.)

▪         Shows Dissent by word OR action with ANY decision of the Referee;

▪         Persistently Infringement of the Laws of the Game;

▪         Delays the Restart of play;

▪         Fails to Respect the Required Distance when play is restarted with a Goal Clearance, Corner Kick, Kick‑In, or Free Kick {Encroachment};

▪         Enters or Re-Enters the Playing Court WITHOUT the Referee’s permission;

▪         Deliberately Leaves the Playing Court WITHOUT the Referee’s permission.

▪         Guilty of Serious Foul;

▪         Guilty of Violent Conduct;

▪         Spits at an opponent or ANY other person;

▪         Denies the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by deliberately “handling” the ball;

▪         Denies the opposing team an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by ANY offence punishable by a Free Kick or Penalty Kick;

▪         USES Offensive, Insulting, or Abusive Language or Gestures;

▪         Receives a Second Caution in the same match.

NOTE: A RED CARD ejects the player from the current match and prevents them from playing in their team's next match.

▪         Player leaves the Playing Court or the match is abandoned;

▪         Player is replaced by a substitute (Team does NOT play “short” unless NO substitute is available).

▪         IF a Player is Sent-Off (at stoppage):

▪         Player leaves the immediate area of the playing court or the match is abandoned;

▪         Player is “replaced” at the NEXT stoppage AFTER 2 minutes have elapsed WITH Referee’s permission unless:

• IF the team with more players scores a goal, then the team with fewer players adds ONE player;
•  IF the team with fewer players scores a goal, then NO change;
•  IF BOTH teams are EQUAL and less than 5 players and EITHER team scores a goal, then BOTH teams add ONE player.

IF play is stopped to Caution or Send-Off a Player, IFK at the Infringement *{except inside the Penalty Area} unless a DFK foul offence was committed, then DFK at the Infringement or PK at the Penalty Mark (if in own Penalty Area)

▪         Person leaves the immediate area of the playing court or the match is abandoned;

IF play is stopped to Caution or Send-Off a Substitute or Team Personnel, Dropped Ball at the Ball Position when play was stopped *{except inside the Penalty Area}

• Direct: CAN SCORE “DIRECTLY” against the OPPONENTS (never against the players team).

• Indirect: CANNOT SCORE “DIRECTLY” (the ball MUST be TOUCHED by ANOTHER PLAYER).

• DFK or  IFK:

▪         “Stationary” at the Infringement *{except inside the Penalty Area};

▪         Opposing players at least 10 feet from the ball in all directions until ball is “in play”;

▪         The ball is “in play” when it is “kicked and moves” in ANY direction.

      Infringement:

▪         “2‑Touch” Rule: YES;

▪         “4‑Second” Rule: YES;

▪         Other: Retake the Free Kick

• Accumulated Fouls: ALL “DFK” fouls

      AFTER a team commits 5 “Accumulated Fouls” in the SAME period: (Similar to a Penalty Kick):

▪         If the infringement is committed inside own Penalty Area, PK at the Penalty Mark (Law 15 applies).

▪         If the infringement is committed outside own Penalty Area, DFK at the 2^nd Penalty Mark.

▪         Goalkeeper in own Penalty Area and at least 10 feet from the ball until the ball is “in play”;

▪         Kicker properly identified and MUST kick the ball with the intention of scoring a goal;

▪         ALL other players at least 10 feet from the ball in all directions, outside the Penalty Area, no closer to the Goal Line than the ball until the ball is “in play”, and may NOT touch the ball until it has been touched by goalkeeper, goalpost, or crossbar;

      Infringement:

• By BOTH teams before the ball is “in play”, retake the “Kick”;
•  By the DEFENDING team (includes goalkeeper) before the ball is “in play”, if NO goal, retake the “Kick”;
•  By the ATTACKING team (includes kicker) before the ball is “in play”, if goal,retake the “Kick”;
•  By the ATTACKING team (includes kicker) before the ball is “in play”, if NO goal,IFK at the Infringement *{except inside the Penalty Area};
•  “2‑Touch” Rule: YES;
•   “4‑Second” Rule: NO;
• Other: IFK for the DEFENDING team at the Infringement *{except inside the Penalty Area}.

Law 15 – Penalty Kick (Same as “Outdoor” except distance of ALL players)

• Penalty Kick:

▪         “Stationary” on the Penalty Mark;

▪         Goalkeeper on the Goal Line between the goal posts facing the kicker, until the ball is “in play”;

▪         Kicker properly identified;

▪         ALL other players at least 10 feet from the ball in all directions, outside the Penalty Area, and no closer to the Goal Line than the ball until the ball is “in play”;

▪         Referee gives a signal;

▪         The ball is “in play” when it is “kicked and moves” FORWARD.

▪         CAN SCORE “DIRECTLY”

      Infringement:

▪         By BOTH teams before the ball is “in play”, retake the PK;

▪         By the DEFENDING team (includes goalkeeper) before the ball is “in play”, if NO goal, retake the PK;

▪         By the ATTACKING team (includes kicker) before the ball is “in play”, if goal,retake the PK;

▪         By the ATTACKING team (includes kicker) before the ball is “in play”, if NO goal,IFK at the Infringement *{except inside the Penalty Area};

▪         “2‑Touch” Rule: YES;

▪         “4‑Second” Rule: NO.

• Kick‑In:

▪         “Stationary” on the Touch Line where the ball WHOLLY left the playing court;

▪         Opposing players at least 10 feet from the ball in all directions until the ball is “in play”;

▪         The ball is “in play” when it is “kicked and moves” in ANY direction.

▪         CANNOT SCORE “DIRECTLY”

      Infringement:

▪         “2‑Touch” Rule: YES;

▪         “4‑Second” Rule: YES.

▪         Other: (“Wrong” Kick‑In position) Kick‑In to the opposing team at the initial Kick‑In Position

• Goal Clearance:

▪         Goalkeeper THROWS the ball (NO kicks of any kind) while “IN” own Penalty Area;

▪         Opposing players remain outside the Penalty Area until the ball is “in play”;

▪         The ball is “in play” when it leaves the Penalty Area into the playing court

▪         CAN SCORE “DIRECTLY” (subject to conditions of Law 12)

      Infringement:

▪         “2‑Touch” Rule: YES;

▪         “4‑Second” Rule: YES;

▪         Other: Retake the Goal Clearance.

• Corner Kick:

▪         “Stationary” within the Corner Arc;

▪         Opposing players at least 10 feet from the ball in all directions until the ball is “in play”;

▪         Ball is “in play” when it is “kicked and moves” in ANY direction.

▪         CAN SCORE “DIRECTLY” against OPPONENTS

      Infringement:

▪         “2‑Touch” Rule: YES;

▪         “4‑Second” Rule: YES;

▪         Other: Retake the Corner Kick.

• “Offside” Infringement: NO