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How To Become A Professional Futsal Player

Turning your passion into a career is something humans worldwide seek to achieve world over. Futsal is a tough sport to crack when it comes to making it pro, with the right level of commitment and drive you’ll be able to achieve your dreams, we’ve put everything in this blog that we know of that can help you reach your goal in becoming a pro.

 

The Secret on How To Become A Professional Futsal Player, You’ll need to do the following at a minimum:

 

  • Hard work and have the determination
  • Be resilient to setbacks and failure
  • Train harder than your peers
  • High level of physical fitness
  • Be prepared to sacrifice
  • Nutrition on point
  • Be disciplined
  • Be somewhat talented
  • Maintain a positive attitude
  • Natural level of athleticism

 

The above is not a guarantee of becoming a professional but a minimum requirement.

Many children and teenagers world over dream of becoming professional sports players, it’s an exciting allure that is often well rewarded in sponsorships, pay, and stardom. Very few actually achieve this goal, many miss out even when they have the talent. It’s important to have a clear road map on how to make to have the best shot at making it pro.

 

Training Schedule

 

If you are currently playing Futsal at an amateur level and train once or twice a week and play games once or twice a week, ask yourself, is that the most I can do to improve my Futsal? Is that the best I can do in my quest to becoming a professional Futsal player?

 

It shouldn’t take you very long to come up with an answer and it should be no. Being a professional starts long before you sign your first pro contract, it starts when no one is around and no one knows your name.

 

You need to work for it – there are no shortcuts.

 

Consider increasing your training schedule to 5-6 days a week to include as many training sessions and games as possible, it’s important you start this as young as possible to increase your hours of Futsal exposure.

 

There is an old theory called the 10,000 hour rule, in short, it revolves around the idea that it takes that long to master a skill.

 

Going by that it would take a player around 10 years or more to be the ultimate Futsal player that they can be, so the sooner you start the sooner you can make it.

 

You’ll also need to be physically strong and have a high level of cardio fitness, it’s important to maintain these two in combination.

 

You should consider doing days in the gym at least twice a week and adding extra cardio into your routine on days off.

 

A basic example of how your schedule might look could be like this:

Monday: 7 am Weight training, 6pm Futsal training

Tuesday: 7 am Weight training, 6pm Futsal training

Wednesday: 7 am Cardio training, 6pm Futsal training

Thursday: 7 am Weight training, 6pm Futsal training

Friday: Rest day

Saturday: Futsal game

Sunday: Futsal game

 

The above example should give you an idea of how you should be looking at things when considering a routine to get you ready and in the mindset of a professional.

 

If you do make it as a professional you will likely find the training schedule can be more intense then the above example.

 

Get Yourself Known

 

No one will know how good of a Futsal player you are unless they see you, but stress not as in today’s current online world it’s much easier to get yourself out there then it was 15 years ago.

 

So where do you start? Well, you should do the following at a minimum,

 

Build a brand, Futsal isn’t as big as Soccer yet so you need to build yourself a brand that reflects you as a player. Doing it isn’t hard, you should start by building social media profiles on all the major platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

 

You’ll need to get photos taken, you can normally find someone who will be willing to do this like a friend or teammate. Upload everything you do for Futsal on these pages, training, games, learning tactics – everything!

 

Why you might ask? Well, it paints a picture to whoever is looking at your profile that says  “wow, this person is 110% dedicated/obsessed with becoming a pro”, which is exactly what you need.

 

Don’t forget Youtube, every game you play try and have it recorded. When you get home to edit the footage and put together all of your moments on a highlight reel.

 

You’d be surprised at how many coached/scouts watch these reels and have recruited players or made further inquiries based on them.

 

When you go about creating a personal brand you may also start getting approached by brands to promote their products or even get a sponsorship deal with a major sports brand.

 

Once you’ve built up your brand you can also engage an agent, someone who can “Sell” you to Futsal clubs around the world.

 

The agent will want to be assured that you have the skills and right foundation to operate at a pro level, of course, their reputation is on the line after all.

 

Be Prepared To Travel

 

Depending on where you are in the world, you’ll need to be willing to travel to make it as a professional. This means time away from family and friends and missing out on special occasions.

 

You could be required to head to places like Brazil, Europe or South East Asia for trials and Pro contacts.

 

Don’t forget a lot of players in these areas have only ever played Futsal and Futsal could be their only opportunity at an improved lifestyle, you’ll need to match their hunger and determination to stand a chance.

 

Professional Futsal opportunities are not as common as other major sports but they are growing rapidly, ensure you search locally in your area of residence for professional opportunities before going abroad.

 

Some professional leagues around the world are:

North America: North American Futsal Federation

Europe: Many leagues, the full list can be found here.

Asia: Indonesian Pro Futsal League

Australia: F League

Brazil: Liga Nacional de Futsal

 

Trials

 

No Futsal team is just going to throw a contract at you because you have a fancy video and some impressive stats. You’ll need to prove yourself and you may have to do it a few times.

 

If you are serious about Futsal you’ll have to make some sacrifices when going for trials, if the trials are overseas then be prepared to pay all of the travel costs and lodging fees for hotels and meals.

 

You might do all of that and still not make it on your first attempt, that’s normal and nothing to worry about – it’s all a stepping stone.

 

If you trained on the Futsal court and inside the gym leading up to your trials it will give you an edge but you’ll need to stay mentally strong and switched on at all times, coaches will be assessing your conduct on the court as well as of it.

 

Remember, you’re asking a team to invest in you so they will want to make sure they are getting the best return on investment that they can.

 

Learn The Tactics

 

Having all the skill in the world is great, but you’ll need to know how to operate effectively as part of a team.

 

You need to spend some time doing homework, not on the Futsal court but in the library.

 

If you learn the tactics of Futsal quickly then you’ll be able to outperform the competition on game day but also take up a leadership position on the court as you’ll understand the coaches instruction better and be able to pass this information onto your teammates.

 

Put in the hard work off the court just like you do on it and your game will improve dramatically as a result.

 

The Professional Mindset

 

Becoming a professional at anything is more than just having the skills and ability to out achieved your peers, it’s about having the right mindset.

 

You need to be willing to do things that others won’t which can include:

 

  • No drinking alcohol
  • Be willing to adhere to curfews, i.e. asleep by 9 pm
  • Be willing to miss out on friends parties
  • Be willing to wake up extra early to train i.e. 6 am on Sunday
  • Avoiding situations that could bring you and your club into controversy

 

It’s one thing to have the ability to perform at the highest level, but it needs to combined with the ability to perform at the highest levels of the court as well.

 

You need to have this ability to back yourself at all times, have faith in your skillset and don’t be shy, let your Futsal do the talking.

 

It’s easy to get distracted by everyday life things, that’s ok it happens to all of us. What’s more important is that you the ability to stay on track and focus on your Futsal even with these distractions going on – that’s what professionals do.

 

Check out this read on Futsal safety for children.

 

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Can Futsal Players Play Football – Should You?

Futsal and Soccer are kind of life chalk and cheese, they are so closely aligned yet so different at the same time. It’s a question that can often cause debate for hours on end, Futsal is a sport that is so unique in its own right yet is often seen as the poorer cousin of Soccer despite its many qualities and strong foundational skills. Let’s dive into the in’s and outs of this highly debated question.

So, Can Futsal Players Play Soccer/Football? Futsal players can play Soccer, in fact, many successful Soccer players got their start in Futsal. Futsal is played  heavily at youth levels in countries like Brazil and Spain and many successful Soccer players have put their success down to their early life involvement in Futsal.

Futsal has so many fundamental benefits that can be transitioned over to Soccer, although there are some skills that must be learnt in Soccer itself Futsal can teach players a lot about Soccer without ever leaving the court.

What Futsal Does For Soccer Skills

Futsal does a lot for Soccer, from fundamental skills to things like tactics and teamwork. There are many differences also, but they can be quickly put to one side to allow the benefits to flourish.

Let’s take a look at some of the critical benefits that players can obtain by spending time on and around the Futsal court:

Ball control, The Futsal ball is smaller and feels heavier than a normal soccer ball. It’s also got much less bounce (up to 60 percent according to FIFA). These differences in the ball allow it to be manipulated and controlled far more easier than a normal Soccer ball. Players are forced to think a little harder with the Futsal ball as it required more skill and thought when moving the ball around.

An example in point is that players cannot play long balls as much as Soccer with as much leeway and if they do they will often be encouraged to play short thought out passes to avoid turnover to opposition players.

Fitness Levels, Often debated are fitness levels of Futsal players when transitioning into Soccer. We have found in our personal experiences that Futsal players are often very fit and have good levels of cardio and rapid bursts of speed.

This can be attributed to the small size of the Futsal court and the fact that there is less “down time” on the court as Futsal players do touch the ball far more frequently in a game than their outdoor counterparts.

That’s not to say Futsal players have a superior level of fitness; Futsal is simply a sport that involves a lot of running and sprints which can only aid a Soccer players level of fitness particularly if played in the offseason.

Youth players, For youngsters starting out playing Futsal they can learn a lot about Soccer without playing it. For example, they will learn about:

Fair play, by playing Futsal they will get familiar with rules, sportsmanship and fairness/equality

Teamwork, players will understand that a team is a unit and learn the fundamentals of hard work and digging in deep to help their teammates

Tactics, they will be introduced to formations, substitutions, and positions.

These are just a few examples of the many benefits that youth players will experience in Futsal that can be transitional to Soccer.

Players Who Have Made The Transition To Soccer From Futsal

There are many examples worldwide of players who have given Futsal credit for their Soccer skills.

With so many high-level professional players stating this, isn’t it time aspiring Soccer players took a deeper look at Futsal?

Let’s take a look at some of the professionals and what they have to say about Futsal.

Lionel Messi, One of the best players that La Liga and the world has ever seen Messi has attributed playing Futsal from a young age in Argentina as being one of the most important factors in his forging of on the the all-time greats of world football.

Messi got his start in Futsal with Newell’s Old Boys in Argentina, and had this to say about Futsal as quoted on FIFA.com: “As a little boy in Argentina, I played futsal on the streets and for my club. It was tremendous fun, and it really helped me become who I am today,”.

As of writing, Messi has the following accolades to his name:

437 games for 402 goals

4 Champions Leagues Trophies

9 La Liga Trophies

5 FIFA Ballon d’Or/Ballon d’Or

Cristiano Ronaldo, Another one of the modern greats and a player that will undoubtedly go down in the history books as one of the greatest of all time Juventus player Ronaldo has also attributed Futsal to his success.

Quoted on FIFA.com Ronaldo has this to say: “During my childhood in Portugal, all we played was futsal,” he said. “The small playing area helped me improve my close control, and whenever I played Futsal I felt free. If it weren’t for futsal, I wouldn’t be the player I am today.”

Ronaldo has gone on to achieve the following since becoming a professional:

792 games for 590 goals

3 Premier League Trophies

5 Champions League Trophies

2 La Liga Trophies

1 European Championship Trophy

5 FIFA Ballon d’Or/Ballon d’Or

Ronaldo, No one can forget the original Ronaldo. Dominating the 90’s and early 2000’s before anyone had heard of Cristiano, Ronaldo was terrifying defenders and goalkeepers world over with flamboyant hairstyles and Brazilian swagger. He has this to say about Futsal:

“I needed extremely good feet, because you’re always attempting to beat opponents in the minimum of space. I loved the challenge of playing on such a small pitch,”

Ronaldo is the all-time goal scorer at FIFA World Cups. There you have it, folks, as they say, the proof is in the pudding.

Three of the best players of the last 20 years doesn’t lie, that’s bulletproof evidence that Futsal players can play Soccer and the transition isn’t that hard.

Check out our post on Futsal development for Soccer players.

Play Futsal And Soccer At The Same Time

You can opt to play but Futsal and Soccer at the same time and in fact many players do just that.

There are a few reasons that a player can opt to do this, these are:

Maintain fitness, Futsal involved a lot of running as mentioned earlier. With shorter breaks, players will build up and maintain a higher level of fitness. Be wary of burnout though.

Improve skills, perhaps you are not satisfied with two or three days of scheduled games/training a week. Combining both Soccer and Futsal will allow you to build a higher level of skill. As they say, practice makes perfect.

Enjoyment, If you love Soccer or Futsal, you’ll find that the passion knows no boundaries and you’ll enjoy double participation. Be careful again not to burn out.

If you do decide to play both, be sure to inform both clubs and gain consent if you are playing under contract or headed towards becoming a professional, i.e. semi-pro.

The last thing you would want to do is get an injury or burn out and not be able to play for your college/club that is paying or sponsoring you.

Related Questions

Can I Wear Cleats For Indoor Soccer? No, wearing cleats for Indoor Soccer is dangerous. Cleats are designed to grip turf and stop players slipping and injuring themselves.

Players must wear boots that are designed for use on indoor courts similar to Basketball courts. Wearing Cleats indoor will cause injury to players and damage the court.

 

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Is Futsal Safe For Kids – The Full Picture

futsalguide.com

Any parent who is considering getting their children involved in futsal will have a number of questions that they would want to clarify before making the final enrolment. I’ve ensured any parent who reads this post will walk away with informed about the safety of Futsal.

Is Futsal Safe For Kids?

Futsal has nowhere near the level of contact when compared to Gridiron, Rugby or Martial Arts. Also, Players cannot slide tackle in Futsal as compared to Soccer. Futsal is relatively safe and players should wear shin pads and mouth guards as well as long socks to reduce the possibility of injuries.

There are many things parents can do along with children when it comes to participating in Futsal to reduce the chance of injury and other related hiccups. By preparing for Futsal games to wearing the correct gear to ensure your child is as safe as possible. It’s important for both child and parent to be well informed.

Minimal Contact At All Times

Futsal does not allow for excessive contact such as shirt pulling, tackling, grappling or anything other then slightly jostling for the ball. You won’t have to worry about your child getting a concussion or getting knocked out as they are both relatively unlikely.

Under the Futsal Laws Of The Game the following are classified as fouls:

  • Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent
  • Trips an opponent
  • Jumps at an opponent
  • Charges an opponent
  • Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent
  • Pushes an opponent
  • Tackles an opponent
  • Holds an opponent
  • Slide tackles are considered a foul and not permitted

Players are well protected from injury and parents can rest assured that their children shall be well protected not only by the Laws Of The Game but also by the Futsal referee.

Parents can often be faced with challenging decisions in regards to what junior sport to enrol their child in, when compared to a sport like Gridiron for example where an excess of protective equipment is required to protect the child from head and torso injuries then Futsal should be considered as a much safer alternative.

Children playing in the position of goalkeeper may find themselves more likely to come into contact with other players due to the inherent nature of the position.

As Goalkeepers in Futsal can face a number of shots and at a high velocity they face a risk of:

  • Head injury, there is a higher chance goalkeepers can be hit in the head or face by a Futsal ball or a  wayward leg/arm by an opposition player
  • Finger injury, as goalkeepers will be stopping shots with their hands and fingers there is the possibility of hyper flexing fingers and damaging ligaments and possibly broken bones
  • Collision injuries, goalkeepers may collide with opposition players when attempting to block shots and break down attacks
  • Mouth injury, also a risk to out court players but goalkeepers will be at a higher risk due to incoming shots. Parents need to consider that their children could suffer mouth injuries such as damaged teeth and lips.

 

Safety Accessories

By utilising safety equipment all players including children can reduce the chances of injury or reduce the severity of any injury. It’s always a good idea to ensure that you go above the minimum requirements when it comes to safety.

Some of the equipment all Futsal players should consider are:

  • Shin Guards, a minimum requirement under the Futsal Laws Of The Game, Shin  Guards should provide a good level of coverage under the player socks. Don’t buy small shin guards for your child under any circumstances.
  • Goalkeeper Gloves(Futsal), if you’re child is playing as a goalkeeper they will need gloves, these will ensure any stinging shots are absorbed by the gloves. Also if your child falls over they will avoid grazing their palms.
  • Safety Helmet, not the type you wear to a construction site but one similar to what Peter Cech wears – if your child is playing as a goalkeeper and you are concerned about concussion then you should consider this as an option
  • Mouth Guard, As there is a chance for facial injury although minor player can wear mouth guards. Not an unwarranted precaution especially when considering the high cost of dental repairs for children.

It’s also important that your children use sock tape to ensure their shin guards remain firmly secured under their socks.

The Right Footwear

Don’t be that parent who sends their kids to practice or games in the wrong type of footwear. Far too often I have witnessed children turn up to Futsal games with incorrect footwear.

This has included basketball shoes, tennis shoes and believe it or not  outdoor soccer boots – yes you read right one child turned up in a pair of outdoor boots.

It’s important that Futsal boots are worn when playing Futsal as they are specifically designed to to aid in players control of the ball and improve player mobility.

Improper footwear will result in clumsy results and injured ankles, if the player is allowed to take to the Futsal court at all.

Futsal will often be played on courts similar to Basketball or actual Basketball courts them self, Futsal boots will often have rubber soles which allow for grip which in turn keep players grounded and reduces the chances of slipping and sliding.

Support around the ankles are also important as is the tightness of the boots, regular sneakers or basketball shoes will not allow for this and will make it dangerous for the player and others.

Normal shoes do not allow for the control and manipulation of the Futsal ball as Futsal shoes do, Purely from a sport perspective it’s integral that a player has the correct footwear in order to have the best chance to excel at their highest ability.

Warm Ups Are Important

As with any exercise or sport warm up before a Futsal match is also very important. Children are less prone to injury when compared to their adult counterparts but this does not mean that they do not need to stretch and play warm up games prior to games.

A few quick warm up exercises to assist your child can be

  • Juggling, have your child play a game of keepy up to see how many times they can touch the Futsal ball without it hitting the ground. They can use their legs, head and shoulders to keep the ball up. This will help them warm up and is a fun game to play. You can also join in or they can include other team mates.
  • Circle passing, If your child arrives early at a match and other children have also arrived early get them to form a circle with one player in the middle. The aim of the circle members is to keep the ball on the ground and the goal of the player in the middle is to intercept the ball, when the ball is intercepted the last player to touch the ball swaps with the middle player. To add an extra element you can also get the players to swap positions with the player they pass the ball to.
  • Cone Drills, set up cones within close proximity of each other i.e. 40 centimeters and have the player dribble between the cones. You can increase the intensity by slowly chasing the player as they carry out the exercise and have them finish of the drill by having to shoot at goal. This will increase the intensity and get them ready for real game scenarios. Be careful not to be too intense and remember this is a “warm up” drill.

Players should also take the time to warm up their limbs before match by stretching their hamstrings, arms, abdomens, neck, calves, gluteus and hands.

Failure to properly warm up or cutting corners during warm ups can result in injuries.

Related Questions

Can Futsal Be Played Outdoors? Futsal should be played indoors on appropriate sized courts, officially. With that being said Futsal games can be held at an amateur level on outdoor fields and many do.

It benefits all players if the court complies with all normal regulations and normal Futsal rules apply, this not only ensures a standard is maintained but helps players avoid forming bad habits that could see them penalized when playing official matches.

 

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How Big is A Futsal Court?

futsalguide.com

Like me, you’ve probably played plenty of games of futsal without ever knowing exactly how big the court is other than it reminding you of a basketball court.I’ve got all the information so you know about how far your next worldie goal is struck from.

 

Well, How Big Is A Futsal Court? According to the FIFA Futsal Laws of the game the futsal court sizes are:

 

International Matches:

Length of the Futsal court is between 38–42 m (125–138 ft)

Width of the Futsal court is between 20–25 m (66–82 ft)

 

All other matches:

Length of the Futsal court is between 25–42 m (82–138 ft)

Width of the Futsal court is between 16–25 m (52–82 ft)

 

There must be a height of at least 4 meters (13ft) to the ceiling, applicable to all courts.

 

Depending on where you play and what your local governing body dictates you may play on a slightly deviated court size from that also.

 

There is also another governing body of Futsal named the Association Mundial De Football (AMF), when you consider all these factors there is definitely more information to digest.

 

Court sizes can change the way players and teams approach each game from tactics to what players to bring along to game day.

 

With so many dynamics at play, it’s integral that any prospective or current players completely understand not only the length and width of the court but the inner dimensions also and how they affect the game.

 

Court Boundaries And Key Markings

 

Futsal courts have to be rectangular if they aren’t it’s probably not an official Futsal match and is perhaps being played under “house rules” or something similar. All boundary markings must be eight centimeters in length.

 

As well as being rectangular the court should have a central point marked which represents the exact halfway point of the court. The central point will be used for kick off or to restart play after a goal has been scored by either side. The central point will be surrounded by a circle three meters in radius.

 

To ensure that players do not infringe on corner kick takers a mark has to be made on the outside of the court five meters in distance to the corner arc with a right angle towards the goal. This will assist players and referees to ensure that a violation does not occur. This mark should officially be eight centimeters in length.

 

In addition to the corner marking, additional lines also need to be marked either side if the second penalty spot five meters apart, these markings should be eight centers in length too. These markings represent the minimum space that must be maintained when a spot-kick is taking place from the second penalty spot.

 

The Goalkeeper’s D

 

The penalty box or the goalkeepers D is approximately six meters in diameter measured from the goal line. Inside the goalkeepers, D goalkeepers are able to handle the ball with their hands to disperse balls, block shots and receive passes.

 

When a goalkeeper exits the D they are treated as an outfield player and lose all special privileges afforded to them. Some indoor soccer rules do not allow players to enter the goalkeepers D to score goals or receive the ball; this is not the case in Futsal as any player can enter the D to win the ball.

Penalty Spots

 

For fouls committed on opposition players by the goalkeeper or other outfield players then a penalty will be awarded at the center of the goalkeeper’s D approximately 6 meters from the goal, dead center.

 

There is  also a second penalty spot in Futsal, the second penalty spot is 10 meters from the goal line, again dead center.When more than 5 “direct” fouls are committed then every foul after the fifth will result in a 10-metre penalty kick.

 

Corners

 

Corners will have a twenty-five centimeter quarter circle for which to return the ball to open play.

 

Goals

 

Goals are to be set at the central point of the goal lines, goals have an area of six square meters.The goal will be of three meters wide by two meters high.

 

The goal frame must be eight centimeters in depth and length, and they must also be sturdy with a counterweight or fixed so that they cannot overturn and cause injury to players or spectators.

Substitutes areas

 

The old dugout, well I guess we can’t really call it that as it’s indoors. The subs bench is probably more appropriate. Situated either side of the timekeepers table by five metres, which itself is central to the futsal court.

 

The substitute zones are marked eighty centimeters in length with half on the pitch and half off the pitch. This is the area that players will use to interchange with teammates in their defensive halves.

 

Pro tip: Do not swap with your teammate outside of this zone, you will incur a costly foul for your team if it is spotted by match officials.

 

Related Questions

 

Is A Futsal Court The Same Size As Basketball Court? Futsal courts are not the same size as a basketball court. I have played many futsal games when I first started that were held on basketball courts, these competitions were also regulated by the FIFA body where I lived – quite surprising I know but I think it was mainly due to lack of appropriate facilities.

 

An NBA basketball official court is 28.7 meters (94 ft) by 15.2 meters (50ft) which is well short of an official Futsal Court.

 

Is The AMF Futsal Court Sizes The Same As The Fifa Futsal Court? The Futsal court size requirements from AMF are slightly different to FIFA, they are:

 

International Matches

Length of the Futsal court is between 36–40 m (118–131 ft)

Width of the Futsal court is between 18–20 m (59–65 ft)

 

All other matches:

Length of the Futsal court is between 28–32 m (91–104 ft)

Width of the Futsal court is between 16–20 m (52–65 ft)

 

Not much of a difference between the two, very slight across the board.

 

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Is Futsal An Olympic Sport?

With Futsal’s growing popularity and worldwide participation, participants are keen to know the pathways available to them should they decide to pursue the ultimate challenge of becoming a professional futsal player.I’m going to take you on an in-depth look into futsal’s relationship with the Olympics looking at the past, present and what the future holds.

So, Is Futsal An Olympic Sport? For the first time futsal was played at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics, the competition was competed by ten boys teams and ten girls teams. Futsal has not yet been played in the Senior Olympics. At the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics The results for the boys’ competition were:

  • Brazil – Gold Medal
  • Russia – Silver Medal
  • Egypt -Bronze Medal

Girls results were:

  • Portugal – Gold Medal
  • Japan- Silver Medal
  • Spain- Bronze Medal

The futsal inclusion at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics was a first for futsal. It was a giant leap forward for the international futsal community as the sport is growing in participation levels around the globe and its profile is rapidly expanding.

Summer Youth Olympics Reviewed

The Olympic debut for futsal was held in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Competed by ten teams in total with both male and female participation.

The male tournament had a total of 72,606 spectators with an average of  3,025 per match, futsal lived up to its action-packed reputation with an average of 7.25 goals per game.

Meanwhile, the female competition had 43,814 spectators attend with an average attendance of 1,826. There was an average of 9.42 goals per match.

There were a total of 100 boys and 100 girls who competed in the games, over 200 futsal Olympians in total.

Futsal really did do well in its debut, with over well over 110,000 people turning up to watch the competition it does signal to the Olympic official that there may be an appetite for futsal at future tournaments.

Futsal Is Big; It Deserves To Be A Staple Olympic Sport

Futsal has had its own world cup governed by FIFA since 1989, that’s 30 years of being on the world stage and competing with it’s an outdoor rival who have been banging out world cups since 1930.

Uefa also governs futsal in Europe, since 1996 they have been orchestrating the euro competition.

There is also another governing body of futsal, who in fact governed futsal worldwide well before FIFA.

The World Futsal Association (Asociación Mundial de Futsal — AMF) is the original governing body of futsal since 1971. The AMF has been coordinating futsal competitions worldwide including their own world cups and euro competitions.

When you sit back and look at the fact that futsal has two governing bodies with two world cups, two euro competitions and that’s not to mention the other regional cups at international and club level you have to ask yourself, how long until we see futsal at every world cup both junior and senior?

Futsal is considered by FIFA and UEFA to be the fastest growing indoor sport in the world, youth participation is massive. Some stats from around the globe:

New Zealand had 20,929 registered players in 2015

They also had 27,723 in School futsal programs

England is aiming for 200,000 registered futsal players by 2020. Currently there’s an estimated 1.5 million playing five a side matches weekly

Brazil has an estimated 30 million + Futsal participants

These are just a sample of some of the countries around the globe.

You’ don’t need to go far to find participation in futsal at both senior and youth levels in every country around the globe.

Why Futsal Should Get A Shot At The Senior Summer Olympics

As futsal is one of the world’s fastest-growing sports the Olympics have the opportunity to take advantage of the emergence by:

Attracting a new spectator base, as futsal is still growing there is a hunger for more televised competitions and live events

First time charm, when featured for the first time at the senior Olympics it’s likely the IOC will experience a surge in viewers and spectators attending

Feeding the demand, the Olympics have always been the pillar competitions for all athletes, in order for the Olympics to remain relevant to all major sports futsal will need to be considered at some stage in the very near future

Futsal, being a smaller and quicker sport with shorter playing times to its outdoor cousin allows for excitement. With many goals, touches, quick moves, and skills futsal can entertain many – even non-soccer fans.

How many times have you heard the argument of a soccer critic saying “how do you watch a game for 90 minutes with no goals?” or “the players fall over all the time and waste time faking injuries?”.

Those type of issues don’t occur in futsal, players are not tumbled down as often and when they are it’s quickly resolved. There are also goals galore, in most games, that make for quick and entertaining matches that keep the crowd on their feet and well satisfied.

If the Olympics can accommodate sports like rugby 7’s, then there is a definite argument for the inclusion of futsal.

Why Futsal May Have To Wait

FIFA is the official governing body of Football; it also governs many futsal competitions. FIFA is a well known, well oiled, well-funded brand.

Soccer is played in the Olympics, but anyone who knows soccer in the Olympics knows that it’s not held in the highest regards compared to the world cup, European championships or South American competitions on an international level.

In face soccer at the world cup usually doesn’t get the stars turning up, restricted to under 23 players alongside a few solid hands.

The problem is, not that futsal isn’t crucial to FIFA, soccer will always be more critical as it is more popular globally and brings in a lot more revenue.

There’s also the issue of venues; not all host nations have the infrastructure to accommodate futsal alongside other sports. It’s a big step forward to expect host nations to build out infrastructure to accommodate futsal when it would be a debutant with no track record of success the senior Olympics.

Related Questions

Is futsal a sport at the special Olympics? Futsal is widely represented in special Olympic tournaments all over the world. Futsal is a very inclusive sport that enables people from walks of life to participate regardless of sex, race, religion or disability.

As futsal is a social sport, it assists participants in building friendships maintaining social circles and building and maintaining a level of fitness. This is of particular importance to members of society who may be isolated without sports participation due to barriers that exist in other life scenarios.

Is Asociación Mundial de Futsal — AMF recognized as the governing body of Futsal? Although they were the original body that looked after futsal and still runs many competitions worldwide they are not recognized as futsal’s’ governing body worldwide. FIFA is recognized as the legitimate regulator of futsal world wide.

It doesn’t necessarily mean FIFA is the better-suited organization to watch over futsal, but they get the say in most big futsal decisions such as the Olympics, FIFA World Cup, and other regional tournaments.

Asociación Mundial de Futsal has been working hard for many more years at grassroots levels to grow the game of futsal worldwide, FIFA who came into the futsal arena many years afterward has been able to inherit a lot of this hard work and build upon it,

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What Are The Positions In Futsal?

When you first start playing futsal, you’ll notice that the positions seem more like basketball than soccer, you shouldn’t be overwhelmed though as they can be easily related to soccer but on a much smaller scale. There are several variations of how positions within futsal are used or what their names are, we’ve put together a comprehensive list of all the common positions and how they are used/defined.

 

So, What Are the Positions in Futsal? Traditionally futsal is made up of five positions, these positions are defined as:

 

  • Goalkeeper

 

  • Pivot/Target

 

  • Wingers

 

  • Defender

 

Futsal is a fluid sport meaning players assigned to these positions should be expected to play in all roles on the field as required to counter or take advantage of opposition teams. Different teams may employ variations on these traditional roles to suit their own customized tactics.

 

The Goalkeeper and Tipping The Balance…Sometimes!

 

Goalkeepers in futsal play a crucial role in the team, not only are goalkeepers relied upon to keep the goals out, but they are also able to turn the tide of play in almost an instant, this is because they can quickly launch a counterattack in the opposition’s half thus reversing the pressure.

 

Goalkeepers should be able to marshal their teammates and issue verbal commands in order to maintain a well-organized unit as they have complete oversight of the play unfolding in front of them and will be able to see things that other players may not.

 

Goalkeepers are able to handle the futsal ball within the goalkeeper’s “D” to stop opposition shots, keepers should be equipped with quick reflexes and agility to stop those hard to reach shots.

 

Crucially, keepers can also be used in what’s known as a “fly goalkeeper”, when utilized the goalkeeper abandons their goalkeeper duties and plays as an active fifth player on the court.

 

Obviously, this is done with a great deal of risk if the opposition gains control of the ball as the goal will be left unattended and defenseless.

 

Teams will usually employ this tactic when they are losing and need to chase the game, keepers need to be good with their feet and have a good level of composure.

 

It is important that futsal teams do practice this tactic at length in training so that everybody is not only familiar but are able to operate under pressure as small mistakes can be very costly.

 

Key rules to be aware of:

 

  • Goalkeepers can only be possession of the futsal ball for four seconds in their own half under all circumstances

 

  • Only one back pass is permitted, the futsal ball must touch an opposition player before another back pass can be player

 

  • If playing as a fly keeper, when in the opposition half the keeper is treated like an outfield player and is not restricted to backpasses or time on the ball

 

The Top Man

 

The pivot, in park football we might call them the “goal hanger”, usually play a central role or up close by the goal.

 

Generally, this player should be comfortable being under close attention from opposition players as being a target for ball distribution will not go without defensive pressure from the other side.

 

It does help a pivot if they are able to hold of defenders using body strength but are also comfortable with controlling balls coming in at height and with pace.

 

Quite often a basic tactic employed will see goalkeeper playing the long ball to the pivot who will then simply lay off to a winger for a quick shot on goal.

 

Pivots will often have their back to the opposition goal so having the ability to turn defenders if they are isolated and without support will allow them to pepper the opposition goal.

 

When balls are played into the pivot it’s crucial that the other players on the team support them with flanking runs and movements to create dummy movements or be ready to receive the ball.

 

Personally, I’ve found it useful using players with a decent level of strength and the ability to hold of one if not two defenders for a period of time, that being said players with the “old bag of tricks” can be very effective in this role also.

 

The pivot, if deployed deep in the opposition half can be used to create space on the court, this is especially effective if your team’s wingers are superior in 1v1 situations to exploit the opposition.

 

Vaa Vaa Voom Wingers

 

Depending on what formations are used there can be one or two wingers deployed at any one time.

 

Wingers are usually versatile, fast and should have a few tricks up their sleeve to beat out opposition players in one on one situations.

 

Being able to create darting runs and play one-two passes with the Pivot will assist in the creation of space and goal scoring opportunities, the wingers will usually hug the touchline in a similar fashion to that of a soccer player and this allows for wider spaces to create more room for other position such as the pivot.

 

Wingers have somewhat of a license to roam on the futsal court and are pivotal in backtracking to provide cover goalkeepers but equally relied upon to support the pivot player.

 

It’s important that wingers have a good level of stamina as futsal is nonstop from start to finish any players lacking fitness will be found out early on at a disadvantage to their team.

 

The Defender

 

Defenders are the last stop, the last line, the one-man bus in futsal! Critically whoever is covering this position should have good communication skills and be able to stick a leg in when appropriate to not give away unnecessary fouls.

 

As futsal is fast and can change in the blink of an eye defenders can often become attackers in and dependent on the tactics employed all players may be required to fill the role of the defender or there may be multiple defenders, as with soccer and other sports tactics are always fluid and ever evolving on and off the pitch.

 

Super Subs

 

While not an official on field position the substitutes are part of the team and play a crucial role the teams’ success.  Futsal rules stipulate that all teams can have up to 12 players in reserve.

 

Now when you do the basic math, there are enough players to cover all positions threefold.

 

Dependent on what the managers’ intentions are most players should be able to squeeze 10 minutes per game if played on a rotational basis, although not often used this way think for a second the kind of hell a team could unless if they had fresh players entering the field every 10-15 minutes with fresh legs.

 

When you bear in mind most amateurs sides could struggle to even fill a team this can be quite effective.

 

Are Their Variations to These Positions?

 

Of course, the positions listed here are just an example of the basic universal positions that are deployed in futsal. Each team may have a different idea on what positions do and how they are best used.

 

That’s what sport is about, evolution.

 

You’ll find for the most part that these positions will remain the same with slight variations though.

 

The Coaches

 

Futsal teams can at times struggle to fill key positions least of all coaching/management positions.

 

Coaches that do take on this field of sport and stick with it usually end up being somewhat successful particularly at an amateur level due to the short supply.

 

Players will generally “show up” for games but it’s integral that the team does apply futsal philosophy in order to succeed long term, a good coach will be able to get a team of soccer players to adapt their playing style to ensure on-court success.

 

Related Questions

 

What kind of uniforms do futsal player wear? Futsal teams will generally wear uniforms that are like soccer players. All outfield players will wear the same uniform except for the goalkeeper whose uniform will be different. Amateur competitions may differ, and bibs can be acceptable at certain tournaments.

 

Is there offside in futsal? There is no offside rule in futsal, this is particularly useful to teams as it will allow players to open the space of the futsal field and create space for teammates or apply pressure to the opposition with a constant attack threat.

 

Can a goalkeeper score with a throw-in futsal? Goalkeepers are not allowed to throw the ball over the halfway line, it must meet a player before the halfway line, if a goalkeeper’s throw crosses the halfway without this occurring it will result in a turnover to the opposition team.

 

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How to Join A Futsal Team?

You’ve decided to take the leap or are thinking of joining a futsal team, congratulations. It’s a great sport that will make you fitter, improve your skills and you’ll make new friends doing so.Futsal is fast and furious and filled with excitement. We’ve done our best to ensure you’re fully informed on what to expect when joining a futsal team for the first time.

 

How to Join A Futsal Team? In order to join a futsal team, you’ll need to find a side that is looking for players. To do this you should looking in the following places:

 

  • Contact your local YMCA/recreation center and register your interest

 

  • Search local online notice boards

 

  • Try the Fubles app

 

  • Search local futsal sides on Facebook

 

  • Attend local games and speak to teams

 

Once you’ve found a team that is willing to give you the opportunity to register as a player, you’ll need to carry out a number of steps from passing trials, paying registration fees and getting uniforms fitted. If you can carry out all of these processes that’s only the start, you’ll need to work hard and stay committed to reach your goal of becoming a great futsal player.

 

Finding the Right Futsal Team

 

Finding the right team is very important, if you’re new to futsal you’ll rely on them to give you your introduction to the sport.

 

If it goes bad or you have the wrong vibe from the team at the get go you run the risk of a sour experience which could make you turn your back on futsal for good.

 

We don’t want that, we have seen it happen on a number of occasions from youth teams to senior sides, some great players have turned their backs due to a few rotten eggs.

 

When you are seeking a team to join it’s as much about you proving yourself as it is about them proving to you that they are a desirable destination.

 

Things to look for in a good futsal team are:

 

  • Organization: are they structured correctly i.e. manager/coach, captain, group of committed players.

 

  • Transparency: in amateur leagues particularly, transparency can be an issue in terms of opportunities, playing time and even the payment of fees. Try and speak to current players and ensure everyone is treated equally.

 

  • Growth: if you want to start futsal for a social kick around or a stepping stone to something bigger it’s important that you find a club that shares the same values as you do or you’ll both be left disappointed.

 

What You’ll Need

 

The most important thing you’ll need is the right attitude, leave all egos or opinions at the door and be willing to learn, assist others and work hard.

 

As with any sport there are a few pieces of equipment that you’ll need to purchase if you don’t already have them in order to be able to play effectively.

 

Futsal shoes are not a “no futsal shoes no play” requirement, however, we do not recommend turning up to a game of futsal in your basketball shoes and outdoor soccer boots wouldn’t be allowed on the court either.

 

If you can’t afford or find a pair of futsal shoes that’s fine, tennis shoes can be worn and one of our favorites as a substitute is the Dunlop volleys. Although they don’t provide the thickness or grip of futsal shoes, they do a decent job.

 

Shin Pads are not to be overlooked, although you won’t face the prospect of studs hitting you shouldn’t forget that you are playing on a hard surface and futsal players do stick legs out late.

 

We don’t recommend playing without shin pads, different leagues and competitions will have different rules that will dictate whether they are required or not.

 

Sock tape is great to prevent your socks sliding down and your shin pads becoming uncovered.

 

Similar looking to electrical tape, you can expect to feel much more “together” in the legs as you’ll feel more secure due to the compression, I can’t play without it.

 

You can’t afford to miss a second in futsal because of loose shin pads, socks or boots. I encourage players to tape not only their socks but also laces, jewelry and any piercings.

 

If you plan on being a shot stopper/goalkeeper in addition to the above you’ll need a couple of extra pieces, these will not only help you grip the ball better but will add some safeguards to ensure you can keep playing injury free.

 

Mouthguards are not overkill by any means, I know of at least three occasions where a goalkeeper has suffered mouth injuries in futsal from stopping shots with their teeth to wearing loose elbows.

 

Teeth are not a cheap thing to fix, you could also end up missing time off work. It’s better to be safe than sorry – consider investing in a mouth guard.

 

Futsal goalkeeper gloves, slightly different to soccer goalkeeper gloves the keeper gloves in futsal will usually have the fingers exposed with padded gripped area in the palm of the hand.

 

Gloves will prevent your hand from getting stung and will allow for extra grip to prevent the ball from slipping inadvertently.

 

Kneepads and goalkeeper pants, goalkeepers in futsal will be doing a lot of sliding around the place. If you’ve ever seen someone slip on the basketball court, you’ll know that it’s painful. 

 

It’s important to keep yourself protected when playing especially if it’s at an amateur level or children’s league.

 

 

Getting Fit for Futsal Trials

 

Depending on what level of futsal you’re intending to play, and the club requirements trials may or may not be on the table.  If they are, you’ll need to prepare your body for a lot of running.

 

There’s an emphasis on explosive pace in futsal so you’ll need to have a good cardio system to keep up with the pace of things.

 

In the lead up to your trials you should do some of the following exercises to boost your cardio:

 

  • Start practicing the beep test, if you can get between a level 8 to 10 you should have decent baseline to build from. Read our guide on the beep test here if you’d like some pointers.

 

  • Practice running up and down stairs, most cities and towns around the world will have local schools, colleges or other buildings that aren’t used often outside of business hours.

 

  • Run at least 30 minutes per day.

 

  • Play futsal! Go to the local futsal venue and have a runaround, nothing beats getting fit and doing something you love.

 

You should also consider minor dieting, again this is dependent on the team you’re seeking to join.  Make sure you get medical advice before dieting or partaking in strenuous exercises.

 

Things to Expect When You’re Part Of A Team

 

Once you’ve successfully found a team to join there will likely be a little bit more involved than just showing up for match day.

 

Most futsal teams will have one to two training sessions per week, it’s important to attend at least one of these if you can. Better if you can attend both.

 

Training is important as it will allow you to go over tactics, learn how the team plays and get comfortable with your teammates and allow you to show your commitment to the cause.

 

Unless you’re playing at a professional level or have another deal going on, you’ll be required to contribute money towards fees etc.

 

These fees will be used to cover things like match costs, training costs and equipment like uniforms and balls.

 

Expect to Earn Your Place

 

Just because you’ve earned a spot in the team doesn’t mean you’ve earned a spot on the court.  Futsal has 5 players on the court at any one times and each team can have 12 substitutes.

 

Let that sink in for a moment, 17 players all competing for a limited number of places.  You need to attend as many training sessions as possible, maintain a high level of fitness and get very use to the game of futsal.

 

Practice does make perfect and futsal is no different, as futsal players progress throughout their playing careers they’ll often find that the players remaining were not necessarily the ones who were the most skillful but those that stuck with the game and gave it their best efforts.

 

Related Questions

 

Can I Use Futsal Shoes to Play on Grass?

 

You shouldn’t use futsal shoes on grass, they don’t have the required studs to dig into the ground and provide adequate support.

 

If there is any form of liquid on the field of play you will likely slip and suffer an injury.

 

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How to Start A Futsal Team?

When I first traded in outdoor Soccer/Football for futsal the first thing I wanted to do was start a team, I fell in love with futsal after watching the futsal Continental Cup and didn’t look back. I managed to create a team that was not only able to draw in some very talented players, but they were able to transfer these skills onto the futsal court and do very well in many competitions.

 

So, What’s the answer on how to make a futsal team? When making a futsal Team you need to follow a number of steps:

 

  • Find players

 

  • Hold trials

 

  • Create uniforms

 

  • Select a competition/s to compete in

 

  • Arrange fee payment structure

 

  • Find a coach

 

  • Arrange regular training sessions

 

  • Create an online presence

 

 

Following the above-listed steps will ensure you create a team that will sustain multiple seasons and will be able to bring you back a reward for all your hard work and planning.Managing people is not an easy task by any means and you will need to have a team of committed individuals to achieve team goals and maintain team morale.

 

How to Find Players

 

Finding players isn’t overly difficult, finding the right type of players with the required skillset and a positive attitude can prove to be one of the biggest challenges of any team manager.

 

There are a number of online and real-world options when it comes to finding players, listed below:

 

 

  • Social Media: do not overlook social media options such as Facebook and Twitter. Scouring local group pages relating to soccer and futsal and posting on these pages will bring results. Also, setting up a new page for your club and asking all your friends and family to like and share will go a long way also. Be sure to create a post adverting “players needed”.

 

  • Community Websites: positing players wanted in local community websites such as craigslist or gumtree will also allow for a good level of interest in your team and will get you results. Many clubs over look this as a source of players, some of my best players were found on these types of sites.

 

  • Futsal/Recreation Centers: visit your local venues where futsal is played. Let the managers know that you are seeking players and see if you can post a flyer up to alert new prospects.

 

  • Poach: this is one that I did on one occasion. I wouldn’t use this as a common tactic as it’s easy to get the other sides in your competition offside really quickly. Proceed with caution.

 

Holding Trials

 

Once you’ve your list of potential players remember that you’ll need to select the best fits for your team. You’ll need players that are happy to play in any position including goalkeeper if required, Goalkeeper will be the hardest position to fill in the team.

 

Some ideas on tests to hold during your trial can be:

 

  • Timed dribbling exercises

 

  • Sprint Suicides

 

  • Shooting drills

 

  • Trial game

 

  • Beep Test, you can check out our guide here

 

Of course, these are not exhaustive but will give you an idea of a players overall skill set pretty quickly, it’s important to not write off Soccer players who have never played futsal.

 

In my experience, some of the best players I have ever played alongside on the futsal court were outdoor players.

 

As futsal has 5 players on the field at any one time you should seek to secure 10-12 players with 2 being able to fill the role of Goal Keeper.

 

If you plan on having a reserve team then you should scale accordingly.  Don’t be worried about having too many players, if you are running an amateur team you’ll likely find that family and work commitments will prevent most people from attending every match.

 

During your trials, be sure to speak to as many of the participants as possible ask them questions about their style of play, how often they can attend games and training and what they want to get out of playing on your team.

 

Creating Uniforms

 

Once you have selected your team it’s time to get your uniform organized and sorted. A Uniform can be tricky and expensive, but it doesn’t have to be.

 

Consider getting a team logo created on a website like freelancer.com and you’ll then need to find a supplier.  You don’t have to go for an eexpensively branded uniform but one that is effective.

 

You’ll need to also factor in the Goalkeeper uniform as well.

 

Don’t forget that a good-looking uniform will show that you are serious about your futsal and will attract players to your club, try not to cut corners, you can do this by being smart with your supplier selection.

 

A key tip: do not put any players name on the back of their shirt. If you do, you will not be able to re-use the uniform.

 

Choosing A Competition

 

Depending on where you are located this can be somewhat tricky. Each city should have at least one local competition, you should start your team here.

 

Once you are settled in the competition you should consider branching out and competing in state competitions.

 

Obviously, your team should have the right mix before you go out registering for big state and national competitions. Ensure you can compete and don’t over stretch the players or yourself.

 

It’s likely you’ll need a couple of years together as a team before you go and take on the bigger teams.

 

Team Fees

 

When you have a futsal team there will be costs involved in running and maintaining the team there is no question or way around it.

 

What you need to do when starting your team is to create a player registration form that includes a payment structure.

 

If possible, try and set up a bank account for the team and include the team bank account details on the form. It’s up to you how you want to make payment but we suggest a minimum of 50% up front from the players and the other 50% by the third game of the season.

 

If any players struggle to meet this you’ll have to make a personal assessment on whether or not the player can continue.

 

Finding A Coach

 

Besides finding a Goalkeeper finding a coach is going to be tough, there is no doubt about it.

 

Someone who knows futsal intimately may not be the easiest option, it may be easier for you to coach the team yourself or if one of the players is suitably experienced see if they can run drills and tactics.

 

Don’t forget the team is new and just like life it’s about progression, don’t expect to be winning games 5-0 every week. You’ll likely lose your first few.

 

You should consider approaching outdoor coaches if they are available, many of the skills are transferable for players and also for coaches. So long as the coach is willing to adapt you should do okay.

 

You can post coach ads on social medial platforms, web pages, and local venues, just like player recruitment. If you can’t find a coach that’s not an issue either continue and you’ll find the right mix and tactics, the longer you stick with it.

 

Regular Training Sessions

 

The most important factor that will influence the way your team performs will be how much time it spends together on the court, you’ll need to consider that games will be limited to one or two per week so an extra one or two training sessions per week will greatly improve the way your team performs on match day.

 

You should make it clear to prospects that training on a weekly/bi-weekly basis is a requirement to joining and maintain status in the team.

 

Using a venue will likely cause costs to rise, check with your local venue if you can pre-book the location at a discounted rate.

 

If it’s not possible or works out to be too expensive you can train at free locations such as outdoor basketball courts or even grassed areas. You can practice skills and tactics or just work on general fitness.

 

Create an Online Presence

 

When I started my first futsal team and had the club established, I set about creating an online presence which I then leveraged to secure two sponsorship’s from reputable businesses.

 

The tactics I used were:

 

  • Website: I created a website which contained everything from team training locations, player profiles, weekly videos of team games and player stats. As we were the only team with a dedicated website at the time we received most of the traffic from the other clubs in the league and social media interactions.

 

  • Social Media: Do not overlook the establishment of a Facebook page, tagging players in-game photos and videos tend to go viral pretty quickly and gain you more followers and will, in turn, grow your fan base.

 

  • Community sites – Don’t forget to create local profiles on community sites to ensure you get a presence across all boards.

 

As you can see there are many ways to grow your new team, you shouldn’t skip any steps in order to grow your team to its pinnacle.

 

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