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Futsal History
Origins of Futsal
The origin of Futsal can be traced back to Montevideo, Uruguay, in 1930 when Juan Carlos Ceriani devised a five-a-side version of soccer for youth competition in YMCAs. The game is played on basketball-sized courts, both indoors and out without the use of sidewalls. Futsal is the only "Official” form of indoor soccer as approved by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). Futsal is FIFA's official indoor soccer game which is, essentially, a scaled down version of outdoor soccer played indoors. It is a five-a-side game played on a smaller field, roughly the same size as a basketball court. Unlike some other forms of indoor soccer, the game is played on a hard court surface delimited by lines; walls or boards are not used. It is played between two teams of five players, one of whom is the goalkeeper, and up to seven substitutes per team. Futsal is also played with a smaller ball with less bounce than a regulation soccer ball. The rules create an emphasis on improvisation, creativity and technique as well as ball control and passing in a small space.
This is the game that outdoor soccer players around the globe play when they are indoors to refine and maintain their control skills and touch. In Futsal, players are constantly reminded to play the same quality control game that is required for success in the outdoor game, which develops the overall fundamentals of soccer more effectively. Because the sport is a great skill developer, demanding quick reflexes, fast thinking, pinpoint passing, and a four-second limit on all play restarts, it is an exciting game for children as well as adults. Great soccer superstars such as Pele, Zico, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Robinho, Roberto Carlos, David Beckham, and Socrates grew up playing the game and credit Futsal with developing their skills.
