Futsal
Futsal. The small game that's big on technique.
Futsal is an exciting, fast-paced small-sided football game that is widely played across the world.
Played indoors with a smaller, heavier ball the rules of Futsal, along with the playing surface and unique ball, create an emphasis on improvisation, creativity, and technique as well as ball control and passing in small spaces. The number of differences to our traditional version of small-sided football, such as the absence of rebound boards and amendments in the laws helps to encourage and foster skillful, creative play.
The nature of the game places a large emphasis on technical skill and ability in situations of high pressure and is subsequently an excellent breeding ground for football competencies that can be translated into the 11-a-side format of the game.
Learn more about Futsal
You can now search for local futsal opportunities near you by using England Football’s “Find Football” Tool, accessed below:
Find Futsal near you
Watch
Video highlights of the National League match between Reading Royals Futsal Club and Aylesbury Futsal Club in April 2019.
The Youth Futsal League
The Youth Futsal League runs the Youth Futsal Cup twice a year from February to April and October to November in various locations across Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, and Berkshire.
The Youth Futsal Cup (formally the Youth Futsal league) is a tournament designed to offer players the opportunity to play Futsal while fitting around busy parents' and coaches' lives. We know that our kids love playing sports, but managing Saturday training, Sunday matches, and everything in between can be a bit much at times. At the Youth Futsal League, we know your time is precious, so our Cup tournament fits around you. We host several Cup competitions which suit all abilities and ages and host two group stages held once a month for two months before the play-off finals in the third month.
We also believe that the right level of competition is key in order for players of all abilities to succeed and enjoy themselves, so we ensure that all our groups are as competitive as possible so that on the day, anyone can win. This is not only great for players to ensure they are kept motivated and enjoying their game but give parents an exciting match to watch.
For more information visit the Youth Futsal League website or email them info@youthfutsalleague.co.uk for more information. Additionally, you can fill out their general enquiry form online and a member of the team will contact you.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Futsal
Futsal is an exciting, fast-paced small sided football game that is widely played across the world. The nature of the game places a large emphasis on technical skill and ability in situations of high pressure, and is subsequently an excellent breeding ground for football competencies that can be translated into the 11-a-side format of the game.
Futsal is a five-a-side game, normally played on a flat indoor pitch with hockey sized goals and a size 4 ball with a reduced bounce.
It is played to touchlines and all players are free to enter the penalty area and play the ball over head-height. Games are 20 minutes per half, played to a stopping clock (similar to basketball) with time-outs permitted.
There are a number of differences to our traditional version of small sided football, but the dominant elements are the absence of rebound boards and amendments in the laws that encourage and foster skilful, creative play above the physical contact that tends to be a feature of English five-a-side.
Many of the top world class footballers played Futsal in their youth and credit it with supporting their footballing development.
Players of the calibre of Pele, Zico, Ronaldinho, Kaka, Lionel Messi to name but a few of the South American legends all played and enjoyed Futsal. But Futsal has not just helped produce South American football stars, on the European stage Cristiano Ronaldo, Deco, Xavi, Fabregas amongst many others have played Futsal to develop their skills.
Futsal is the format of Small Sided Football that is recognised and supported by FIFA and UEFA.
There is a UEFA Futsal Cup for clubs, and UEFA Futsal Championships and FIFA World Championship for national teams.