Futsal is played with a special low bounce ball, necessitating players to use their skills, rather than the ball's bounce, to propel it.  These unique ball characteristics place a greater demand on a players dribbling and shooting skills.  Because the sport is a great skill developer, demanding quick reflexes, fast thinking, and pin-point passing, it is an exciting game for children as well as adults.

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. Reducing the number of players to 5 per team allows for all of the components that are present in the 11 v. 11 game: the ball, team-mates and opponents, realistic pressure, appropriate space, guidelines (rules), direction of play (attacking and defending), and the combination of length and width in the game (team shape), and shooting on goal.

Who Says Futsal is Better?
FIFA says Futsal is better. And the Brazilians are among the many nations that swear by it. Pele, Ronaldo 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.

Great soccer superstars such as Pele, Zico, and Socrates, grew up playing the game   The skills developed in this game are demonstrated in the world-famous style the Brazilians display outdoors on the full-sized field. Pele, Zico, Socrates, Bebeto, Ronaldo and all the Brazilian superstars developed their skill playing futsal. While the 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.

Is Futsal New?
Futsal is the new rage in North American soccer. However, as is often the case, we are 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 North American 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 North AmericaI

How does Futsal promote better technique?
Just watch Futsal players fight to keep the ball from crossing the touchline 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, cut 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 team-mates.

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.  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 team-mates 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 mistake). 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-always 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)

Is Futsal as much fun as "walled soccer"?
Absolutely. If you like outdoor soccer, you'll love Futsal. It is fast paced and exciting. With the field being so small, scoring chances abound and games are often high scoring affairs with many different players scoring goals. Even though the ball may go out of bounds, the ball must be put back in play within four seconds or the opposing team gets possession. This not only encourages better control but it also keeps players moving. You cannot sit back and wait for the ball to rebound off the boards (as in walled soccer) because you must fetch it promptly and kick it back into play within four seconds.

From a developmental standpoint, you satisfy the magic objective of teaching proper technique while having fun. This is, perhaps, the most wonderful achievement of Futsal.

What about the different ball that's used?
The Futsal ball, also known as a reduced bound or low-bounce ball, is smaller than a normal outdoor soccer ball and heavier. There is a FIFA specification for the ball's size, weight and bounce.

These properties are specifically designed to build confidence and develop skill and technique. When a Futsal ball is received, it virtually 'sticks' to the foot. This builds great confidence in tight spaces when rapid passes are being issued repeatedly. Interestingly, that same property which makes the ball easy to receive makes it more difficult to strike. A Futsal ball gradually eliminates the 'lazy pass'. It is heavier and players rapidly get acquainted with the merits of bending the knee, turning the hips, and striking the ball firmly to propel it. Repeated touches on the ball eventually produce a motion which, when transplanted outdoors with a high bounce ball, translates into a firmer and proportionately longer pass appropriate for the big field.

Many programs around the world also claim that smaller size encourages more precise striking of the 'sweet spot' of the ball. If one works during the off season on striking a Futsal ball, then a larger bouncier ball is struck with greater confidence and authority in the outdoor game.