| l is derived from the Spanish and Portuguese words | | | | and improves ones split second decision making |
| fútbol sala/de salón and futebol de | | | | abilities. Futsal helps in making a better team player, |
| salão respectively, which in English mean indoor | | | | as it involves a lot of accurate player to player |
| football. Hence, futsal is a type of indoor | | | | passing, which is necessary if the team wants to |
| football(soccer). It is the only indoor soccer game | | | | keep possession of the ball. Hence, it enhances the |
| approved by FIFA. FIFA has been holding the Futsal | | | | players close quarter footwork. It also helps in |
| World Cup since 1989. It played between two teams | | | | increasing ones shooting skills as the off target shots |
| of five players each, including a goalkeeper. It | | | | will not rebound against a wall and the goal is much |
| comprises of two halfs of 20 minutes each. The pitch | | | | smaller than the usual soccer goal. Many shots are |
| of futsal is similar to that of the normal soccer pitch | | | | taken during the game; this in turn boosts the |
| only smaller in dimensions (25 meters minimum and 42 | | | | player’s confidence of shooting. The game of |
| meters maximum in length), roughly the size of a | | | | futsal also helps in improving the goalkeeper’s |
| basketball court. Futsal is different to the American | | | | skills, as he cannot touch the ball with his hands |
| five-a-side football. The main point of difference | | | | whenever the ball is passed back to him. The ball can |
| being that in futsal there is no dasher board. It is a | | | | be passed back to the goalkeeper only once during |
| much more suprerior game in terms of techniques | | | | the entire course of the game. Futsal also decreases |
| and ball handling and is a complete skill game. | | | | the amount of foul play, as the players are not |
| The ball used in futsal is smaller than the ball used in | | | | allowed sliding tackles and shoulder pushes. There is |
| the normal soccer game and it is much heavier too. | | | | also a five foul limit and players are not allowed to |
| The weight of the ball does not allow it to bounce | | | | make a wall when the free kick on the sixth foul is |
| much. The ball has 30% less bounce as compared to | | | | being taken. This confirms the fact that futsal |
| the normal soccer ball. Hence, this forces the players | | | | improves the mental state of the player with the |
| to rely on their skills and not the bounce of the ball | | | | physical side too. |
| to shoot or pass the ball. As there is no dasher board | | | | Young players develop their reflexes, quick thinking |
| to bang the ball against, the players have to rely on | | | | ability and passing and shooting skills much better |
| their passing and tackling skills. The pitch in futsal is | | | | with futsal. It thus helps to improve the overall |
| small and maintaining ball possession becomes difficult, | | | | fundamentals of soccer with more effect. Some of |
| this enhances ones distributional skill. Futsal improves | | | | the greatest Brazilian players like Bebeto, Pele, |
| the mental ability of the players as they have to | | | | Ronaldo, Socrates, Zico owe their ball handling skills to |
| think a couple of steps ahead and have to use one | | | | the game of futsal. Even the current upcoming stars |
| touch passing at times, as there is less space for | | | | and skilled players like Ronaldinho and Cristiano |
| movement. It relies on quick thinking of the player | | | | Ronaldo too have played futsal in their youth. |