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What Is Futsal
Futsal is FIFA’s variant of association football that is
played on a smaller playing surface and mainly played indoors. Its name is
derived from the Thai futebol de salão and the Spanish fútbol de
salón (colloquially fútbol sala), which can be translated as
"hall football" or "indoor football". During the sport’s
second world championships held in Madrid
in 1985, the name fútbol de salón was used. Since then, all other names
have been officially and internationally changed to Futsal.
Futsal is played between two teams each with five players, one of
whom is the goalkeeper. Unlimited substitutes per team are permitted. Unlike
some other forms of indoor football, the game is played on a hard court surface
delimited by lines. Walls or boards are not used. Futsal is also played with a
smaller ball with less bounce than a regular football. The rules create an
emphasis on improvisation, creativity and technique as well as ball control and
passing in small spaces.
Today, more than 100
countries participate in FIFA/ FIFA Confederations Futsal Competitions. There
has also been the growth of Strong Professional Futsal Leagues in the likes of Spain, Brazil
and Russia.
Millions too are practicing Futsal. According to the Italian Olympic Committee
(CONI) research, more than 4.000.000 Italians regularly practice Futsal twice a
week.
11 a side football will always be the overwhelming concern of the
FA but the FA is also aware that football participation is changing. Recent
years have seen a significant growth in the numbers of people playing Small
Sided football. The popularity of Small Sided Football is a reaction to
changing work/leisure patterns and a move towards ‘Pay and Play’ football. It
is here to stay! The FA views Futsal as a high quality format of a small sided
game.
• Participation
– Many Countries that we admire for the technical skills of
their players use Futsal as an aspect of youth development. Ball retention,
quick and skillful play, tactical awareness – all are promoted in Futsal.
• Fairplay – The Laws of the game and an accumulated fouls
rule discourages teams from being overly physical or disputing the decisions of
the two referees.
• Exit routes – Futsal can offer some very exciting
opportunities to its participants that are not available in traditional five a
side. There are now County
FA endorsed leagues,
university regional leagues, an FA Futsal Cup, FA National Leagues, UEFA
Futsal Cup and International representation in European and World Competitions
available to talented teams and players.
The refereeing of Futsal is a little different than 11
v11. The game has two referees who operate on each side of the field
of play and work together to control the game. A third referee who
controls the technical areas and administration. The 4th official is
a timekeeper. In local and regional leagues, it is usual for 2
referees to control the whole game and produce match records and keep control
of the time themselves.
The game has also gone professional in Spain,
Portugal, Brazil and Russia,
with many European countries following their lead (Belgium, Cyprus,
the Netherlands and Italy. Games in
Russia
have team travelling 5000 mile round trip to play their games. That in
itself shows how committed they are to their Futsal.
The future is bright for Futsal within this country and with the
popularity continuing to grow; the game will only benefit football by
helping the development and progression of future players, coaches and referees
alike. For an opportunity to get involved with Futsal in
Grimsby, Contact Kevin Bryant on kevin@futsal.org.uk or visit the Grimsby Futsal League
Website, www.grimsby.yourfutsal.org.
FIFA Futsal laws of the game are available to view on www.FIFA.com.
Thanks to Gavin for introducing us to Futsal. What is clear is
that there are aspects of the laws which can’t far from the minds of the 11 side
law makers when they are looking to improve the game generally. Watch this
space.
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