Youth Futsal

Futsal is similar to soccer, but the sports have a few key differences. Futsal is a hardcourt game that features a #4 ball that is smaller and bounces less than a soccer ball. As in soccer, teams compete to score the most goals within the time limit — in this case, two 20-minute halves.  Rather than 11-on-11, futsal games are five-on-five with roughly 12 players on a team. Players can substitute on the fly as frequently as they'd like. Other differences from soccer are that there is no offside rule and slide tackling is banned. 

Youth futsal is gaining popularity at sports complexes in the U.S. for a few reasons. For one, playing futsal is a great way to practice the essential skills of soccer. Many techniques like kicking, passing and dribbling transfer from futsal to soccer, and learning on a hard surface with a smaller ball prepares players for the full soccer field. Futsal is a fast-paced game that is a blast to play and keeps athletes in great shape. 

For more on the difference between soccer and futsal, download this sheet from our website.