Wait, Futsal isn’t Soccer?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Futsal

futsal players

“I played futsal growing up in Baurd. In futsal, you need to think quickly and play quickly so it’s easier for you when you move to normal football.”

— Pelé

We have heard before from many players that there are certain ways to decide if a soccer player is talented or extraordinary. Looking at the futsal movements is a crucial portrayal of their game. They notice the tiny touch you place behind your opponent’s foot and the hand movements of the fake you’re about to do. 

Now, futsal isn’t your normal delicate turf and endless amount of room to breathe, it is a jam-packed passing game. At times you can’t even see the ball from how rapidly the ball is moving in and out of control. Futsal courts are rock solid, and only a 40 m × 20m field, making them short and slippery. 

The equipment is also made for speed and 

fast touches. The shoes have areas of grips made to prevent you from sliding on the floor or out of bounds. Everything shrinks in futsal compared to soccer. The balls, the goals, and the amount of time. Typically a futsal match is 55 minutes with 2 halves and a 15-minute break in between.

One of the different rules between futsal and soccer is when the ball goes out of bounds. In futsal, a player must put it on the line and kick the ball in play within 4 seconds. If a team exceeds the 4 seconds,  the ball will be withdrawn and given to the other team. 

Another rule in futsal is when the ball is passed to the goalie, the goalie may pick it up, but the second the goalie does, they have 4 seconds to get rid of it by kicking it away or rolling it into play. 

 If a teammate has restarted the ball to their goalie and the goalie kicks it to one of their players they may not be in play with the ball again until the ball has crossed the half and come back.

The repeating rules for both sports are handballs are not allowed, but headers are. Goalies can’t come out of their boxes to pick up the ball, fouls will be called, and players will receive yellow and red cards based on their offense. 

Now, these basic rules keep the game in control and fast-paced to play, but the differences make the game.