Futsal
Futsal is football squeezed into a sports hall. There are only five players on each side, including the goalkeeper, the court is about the size of a basketball court, and the ball is smaller and bounces much less than a normal football. The result is a fast game full of touches, tricks and quick decisions.
Born in Montevideo
The game was created in 1930 by Juan Carlos Ceriani, a teacher in Montevideo, Uruguay, who wanted young people to play football indoors at the YMCA. It soon spread across South America. Today there is a FIFA Futsal World Cup, and many famous footballers say they learned their close control on futsal courts.
How it is played
A match has two halves of 20 minutes, and the clock stops whenever the ball is out of play. Substitutions are unlimited and made on the move. Instead of throw-ins, players take kick-ins from the touchline. The goalkeeper has only four seconds to release the ball, and free kicks, kick-ins and corners must also be taken within four seconds.
Counting fouls
Futsal also counts fouls. From the sixth accumulated foul of a team in each half, the opponents get a free shot from the second penalty mark, ten metres from goal, without a wall.
Quick facts
- Players per side5 including the goalkeeper
- Court (international)About 40 × 20 m
- Match2 × 20 min, stopped clock
- BallSize 4, low bounce
- Born1930, Montevideo, Uruguay