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What is Futsal?

What is Futsal?

Futsal is an exciting, fast-paced small sided game that focuses on technique and skill over size and athleticism.  Used by soccer federations world wide in their youth development systems, Futsal forces players to play in high pressure environments and allows them to sharpen their skills needed in an 11-a side field (or 8- a side for our younger players).
Former and current World class players such as Pele, Kaka, Messi, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Xavi to name a few, all credit Futsal to their success on the world stage.                                                                                           

“Futsal was important in helping to develop my ball control, quick thinking, passing….also for dribbling, balance, concentration…. Futsal was very, very important, no doubt.” 

--Pele,  World Cup Winner: 1958, 1962 & 1970                                                 

"Perhaps in regular football you cannot appreciate the talent. Everything is more physical. But in Futsal you have small details of quality, class and tactical aspects."

---Xavi 2010 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Champions League Winner 
 

Futsal is a five-a-side game (4 field players and a keeper), normally played in an indoor gym with small goals and a size 4 ball with a reduced bounce.  The courts have endlines and touchlines (just like an outdoor field) as well as a midfield line and penalty area.  Played with 20 min halves, there is unlimited substitutions on the "fly" except for goalkeepers.

“Futsal is an extremely important way for kids to develop their skills and understanding of the game. My touch and my dribbling have come from playing Futsal”.

--Ronaldinho FIFA World Footballer of the Year 2004 + 2005

To get a better feel for Futsal, watch this Nike Commercial featuring Ronaldinho at a young age. Here are also some skills by Brazilian futsal legend Vanessa Pereira



As always, please contact the office with any questions you may have: info@nrusa.org