Futsal History

History of Our Game

"Futsal" started in 1930 when Juan Carlos Ceriani, a teacher in Montevideo, Uruguay, created a version
of indoor football for recreation in YMCAs. This new sport was originally developed for playing on
basketball courts, and a rule book was published in September 1933. Football was already highly
popular in the country and after Uruguay won the 1930 World Cup and gold medals in the 1924 and
1928 Summer Olympics, it attracted even more practitioners. Ceriani's goal was to create a team game
that could be played indoor or outdoor but that was similar to football.

Ceriani, writing the rule book, took as examples the principles of football (the possibility to touch the
ball with every part of the body except for the hands), and he took rules from other sports too: from
basketball the number of team players (five) and the game duration (40 actual minutes); from water
polo the rules about the goalkeeper; from team handball for the field and goal sizes.

The YMCA spread the game immediately throughout South America. It was easily played by everyone,
everywhere, and in any weather condition, without any difficulty, helping players to stay in shape all
year round. These reasons convinced João Lotufo, a Brazilian, to bring this game to his country and
adapt it to the needs of physical education.

Initially, the rules were not uniform. In 1956, the rules were modified by Habib Maphuz and Luiz
Gonzaga de Oliveira Fernandes within the YMCA of São Paulo, Brazil to allow seniors to compete. Luiz de
Oliveira wrote the Book of Rules of Futsal in 1956, then adopted also at the international level.

In 1965, the Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol de Salón [pt] (South American Futsal Confederation)
was formed, consisting of Uruguay, Paraguay, Peru, Argentina and Brazil.

Shortly after, a unique tournament was organized. It attracted some interest in South American media,
which regularly began to follow futsal. In particular, it was the journalist José Antônio Inglêz who
passionately contributed to the rapid spread of the game, as well as being credited as the man who
coined the name “futsal” to define the sport.

The sport began to spread across South America, and its popularity ensured the formation of a
governing body in São Paulo in 1971, under the name of Federación Internacional de Fútbol de Salón
(FIFUSA). FIFUSA initially comprised Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, and Uruguay,
along with the World Championships. The new institution counted 32 participating countries and its first
President was João Havelange joined by the secretary Luiz Gonzaga de Oliveira. In 1975, the Federation's
chief passed to FIFA, and in 1980, Januário D'Alessio Neto was elected to work to make this sport
recognized worldwide by supranational bodies.

The first FIFUSA World Championships were held in São Paulo, Brazil, in 1982 with the hosting Brazilian
team crowned champions against Paraguay in front of an audience of 12,000 people, with Uruguay
placing third. The Federation then began to work to bring the big event to Europe. In 1985, the second
futsal World Cup was organized in Madrid, Spain, where the Brazilian team won again. The event was a
success, with a considerable media interest and a huge response from the audience, thanks to the
Spanish TV station that filmed the event.

In 1985, Joseph Blatter, at that time secretary of football's governing body, FIFA, thought it was the right
time to enlarge its influence and therefore also deal with indoor football. Knowing that the Federation
President João Havelange was the head of FIFUSA from 1971 to 1974, the Swiss decided to summon in
Brazil the world governing body of futsal: Surprisingly, the Congress voted against the unification. Due to
a dispute between FIFA and FIFUSA over the name of fútbol, FIFUSA has registered the word fut-sal in
1985 (Madrid, Spain).

FIFA wanted to promote and spread its own version of indoor football, different from the original one
played in the South American countries, but they could not manage to come to an agreement with
FIFUSA in the Rio de Janeiro Congress in 1989.

On 2 May 1990, the Brazilian federation finally broke away from FIFUSA, and on 25 September, an event
in Bogotá, Colombia contributed to the founding of the Confederación Panamericana de Futbol de Salon
(PANAFUTSAL) together with Paraguay, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay, Argentina, Venezuela, Costa Rica,
Puerto Rico, Bolivia, Ecuador, the Netherlands Antilles, Aruba, and Canada.

The conference held in Guatemala in 2000 between members of PANAFUTSAL and FIFA focused on the
resolution of the dispute between the two institutions and on the achievement of futsal in the pure
version that excited many in South America. The signing of the Protocol, however, was not followed by
concrete actions. FIFA kept on promoting its version of futsal. So the PANAFUTSAL decided to create a
new worldwide body for the preservation of futsal. In December 2002, the Asociación Mundial de Futsal
(AMF) was founded. It is currently composed of 40 national federations and three continental bodies,
one of which was FIFS.

In 2002, members of PANAFUTSAL formed AMF, an international futsal governing body independent of
FIFA, in reaction to the alleged stagnancy of futsal under FIFUSA. Both FIFA and AMF continue to
administer the game.

Futsal is one of the fastest growing sports in the world, and it is increasingly being used as a
developmental tool for young footballers. Played with a smaller, heavier ball, the game promotes tight
control, touch and passing, which is why it is being utilised in professional football academies all over
the world.

The essence of this hugely popular game is rooted in football, but there are some key differences – one
of which is the equipment needed. Whether you are a coach looking to improve the touch and ball
control of your young players or you simply want to get involved in the sport of futsal, there are some
very specific items of equipment needed.

What Equipment is Needed for a Game of Futsal?

Futsal goals

The regulation size futsal goal is 3 metres by 2 metres. If you are planning to play the game in different
locations, it might be best to choose the lightweight, portable option. Made from high-impact uPVC,
these goals are free-standing, and they can be erected and dismantled in a matter of minutes. They
come with everything you need to get started, including a carry bag, nets, net clips and ground anchors.
Samba futsal goals are among the most popular in the world, as they have a reputation for being
reliable, safe and highly durable.

If you’re intending to play futsal at a competitive level, you will probably need to invest in an aluminium
futsal goal. The Soccer Store sell indoor or outdoor futsal goals which are manufactured in the UK by MH
Goals.

Balls
Perhaps the biggest difference between the five-a-side version of football and futsal is the ball used. The
essence of futsal involves close control, passing and technique, which is why a smaller, heavier ball is
used. The FA recommends that under-12s play with size-3 futsal balls, while the over-13s play with size-
4 balls.

Mitre is one of the most respected futsal ball manufacturers in the world. Their size-4 balls are
manufactured with a 32-panel finish, which gives them added durability. Reduced rebound and a filled
bladder promote passing and control – rather than long and lofted balls.

Clothing

Most futsal teams play in kits similar to those worn in football and five-a-side. Competitive action
requires numbered shirts, shorts, socks, protective shin-guards and trainers with rubber soles. Keepers
need to wear a different colour than their teammates in the same way they do in football, and a quality
pair of goalkeeping gloves is also needed.

Optional items

There are some striking similarities between futsal and football, so it should come as no surprise that
the sundry items of equipment used in both games are similar. A game of futsal is played over two
halves of 20 minutes, and the action can get intense. It is therefore always a good idea to have a set of
water bottles at the ready – preferably in a bottle carrier.

It’s also worth noting that sliding tackles are now allowed in the official rules of futsal, so any team will
need a fully stocked first aid kit. Hot and cold packs, bandages, freeze spray, sterile eyewash pods and
moist wipes are always good to have at hand in the event of an injury.

The game of futsal is fast and furious. Players are forced to retain control and pass, which is ideal for
developing the technical skills of youngsters. With the right equipment, you can ensure that your games
are as enjoyable and productive as they possibly can be.

Key Skills and Attributes Required for Success at Futsal

By Malcolm Cox- December 8, 2015

Futsal
Futsal is the small-sided version of football that is currently taking the world by storm. Now officially
recognised by both FIFA and UEFA, this fast-paced and often frenetic game requires a slightly different
set of skills and attributes than its 11-a-side cousin.

Futsal is growing in popularity very quickly in most parts of the football-playing world – both as a
developmental tool and an exciting sport in its own right. But while the similarities between the two
versions of the game are stark, there are some noticeable differences in the skills and attributes
required to excel in futsal.

Played with a smaller, heavier ball on a small court-like pitch, futsal places a much larger emphasis on
the ability to stay in control of the ball in highly pressurised situations.

The same technical skills that many believe young English players lack can be honed by regular
participation in futsal games. This is why so many professional clubs and associations are embracing the
small-sided format as part of weekly training and development sessions.

But what does it take to become a great futsal player? And how can these skills and attributes be
applied to the 11v11 format of the game?

Touch

Although ‘touch’ is a relatively broad term, it is most often used to describe the technique involved in
controlling and retaining possession of the ball. Whether this is achieved through a ball-trap, a one-
touch pass or a dribble, it involves the player remaining in charge of the ball – and not the other way
around.

The average player takes around three times more touches in a game of futsal than in a standard game
of 11v11. In addition, there are fewer players and much less space to work in, so players need to
concentrate on keeping the ball and weighing up their options in a split second. The best futsal players
can combine touch and quick thinking to create openings, retain possession and frustrate the
opposition.

Decision making
Players generally have very little time on the ball during a futsal match. Decision making has to be quick
and effective, otherwise possession can be lost very quickly. And all decisions need to be taken calmly.
The best futsal players have an intrinsic understanding of strategy and tactics, as well as an ability to
predict upcoming passages of play. There are futsal players who can decide what they will do with the
ball before they receive it.

Dribbling

The average game of futsal involves a great deal more one-on-one situations than the standard game
does. The best futsal players can use fakes and feints to ease past opposition players whilst remaining in
full control of the ball. Good dribblers also have the ability to switch the ball between both feet – and
regularly playing futsal is a great way of developing this particular skill.

Short passing

There was a time when the long-ball game defined football in England, but those days are fast becoming
just a distant memory. However, there is no doubt that young English players still have some way to go
before replicating the incredible short passing game of their counterparts in Spain.

The use of a smaller, heavier ball in futsal promotes the short game. Balls can’t be lofted over the heads
of defenders in the hope of landing at the feet of a striker. Instead, short passes along the ground are
required – often with very little room for error. Moreover, these passes need to be delivered with pace,
which helps players to develop their touch and control.

Creativity

Futsal involves taking possession of the ball in very tight spaces – with up to three opposition players
trying to wrestle it away at any one time. The ability to be creative with decisions in such restricted
situations is very useful in futsal. Thinking outside the box and being unpredictable with their decision
making puts players in possession of the ball at an advantage in any version of football – but particularly
in futsal.

In short, futsal helps players to develop all of the main technical skills required to succeed in all formats
of the game. The sooner the national squad and academies up and down the country start to use futsal
as a mandatory developmental tool, the sooner the English national team will be able to compete with
the most successful teams on the international stage.