THE GAME

Futsal is a 5v5 game on an indoor pitch whereas football is played with 11 players on an outdoor pitch. This means you are likely to have more touches of the ball in futsal than in football.

THE BALL

Futsal is played with a size 4 ball (size 3 for children under 12) with 30% less bounce than a football. With the futsal ball being heavier, it allows you to get control of the ball more easily than a football.

MATCH TIMES

Futsal is 40 minutes a match, each half lasts 20 minutes, with a clock that stops whenever the ball is out of play, and the player in possession has four seconds to restart the play. Each team is allowed a one-minute time-out per half. 

PITCH SIZE

Futsal is played on a small court 20m x 40m. This means that you must make shorter quicker passes, creating more attempts on goal or even goals. If the ball goes out of play (side) it’s a kick in.

PLAYERS

Futsal allows rolling and unlimited substitutions. The goalkeeper can receive one back pass in their half, and they have to throw/roll the ball out, but cannot touch the ball again until it has gone into the opposition half or been touched by an opponent. 

FOULS

In Futsal, you are allowed a maximum of five fouls a half, for every subsequent foul the opposition gets a free kick or penalty. At half-time foul counts are wiped clean. If a player has been shown the red card, you can replace them with a new player after 2 minutes, unless a goal is conceded during that time.