THE HISTORY OF FUTSAL
Futsal is a form of fast flowing five-a-side football that allows the promotion of individual close ball skills.
These skills are developed through an increased number of touches and reduced amount of space,
demanding players to have heightened reflexes and make rapid in game decisions.
The game has been designed to promote the use of attacking flair, providing an intense, all-action game
that allows players to be at their most creative.
Futsal can be traced back to 1930, originating in the capital of Uruguay, Montevideo, where school
teacher Juan Carlos Ceriani developed an adaptation of football to be played recreationally at local
YMCAs.
The original game was established to be played on basketball-sized courts, indoors and without the use
of sidewalls. Spreading fast across South America, the first rulebook was published in 1936 in the true
home of Futsal - Sao Paulo, Brazil.
In its early stages, the game helped to develop a whole host of football greats including Zico, Socrates,
Bebeto and the legend Pele - who learned his trade through Futsal. Pele’s electrifying play developed by
futsal saw him reach the Brazil national team at the age of 16, going on to become the first and only
player to win three FIFA World Cups in 1958, 1962 and 1970.
With the help of the Brazilian superstars, the popularity of then called Futebol de Sala - which can be
translated simply to ‘indoor football’ - grew worldwide. This led to its first international competition, the
South American Cup, taking place in 1965 with Paraguay taking the trophy home. The South American
Cup continued with six more tournaments before 1979: Brazil won all six.
The game then left South America and spread worldwide, allowing the first FIFUSA World Championship
in 1982, with the governing body being taken over by FIFA in 1989. FIFA took over Futebol de Sala,
abbreviated its name to ‘Futsal,’ and organised the first FIFA Futsal World Championship in the same
year. This allowed Futsal to become the only five-a-side version of the sport that FIFA supports.
Under FIFA’s authority new rules were introduced to develop the technical aspects and speed of the
game. The ball was replaced for a slightly larger size four ball, with added weight to reduce bounce.
Substitutions could be made at any point and were made unlimited; linesmen were exchanged for a
second referee.
The FIFA Futsal World Championship has now grown from its original size of 16 nations to 24 nations,
with 47 different nations entering the qualifying stages making the 2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup the
biggest in its 30-year period. The next FIFA Futsal World Cup will be staged in Lithuania in 2020.
Futsal has also had a hand in developing footballing superstars, with the top three from the 2009, 2011,
2015 and 2017 Ballon D’or awards Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Xavi (2009 and 2011) and Neymar
(2015 and 2017) all starting their football careers playing in futsal.
Futsal is now gaining speed in England and with the launch of The FA’s ‘Fast Forward with Futsal’
Strategy, the England Men’s Futsal team aim to establish itself in the top 20 of the FIFA Futsal world
rankings by 2024, alongside an England Women’s Futsal team competing in the UEFA Women’s Futsal
Championships in 2021.
futsal skills
What are Futsal Skills?
Futsal Skills are the techniques used during a Futsal match. Pass, kick and head are examples of Futsal
Skills.
Which are the Futsal Skills?
Here are some futsal skills: ball trapping / reception, ball control, ball carrying, the pass, the kick, the
head, the dribble and the feint. Please find below a summary of the main Futsal skills.
Ball Control Skill on Futsal
Ball Control in Futsal differs from the ball trapping because it refers to the act of keeping the ball under
control without letting it fall to the ground. This skill is also popularly known as kick-ups.
Ball Reception / Trapping Skill
It is the act of receiving the ball in the Futsal. The trapping can be performed with any part of the body
eligible by the Futsal Rules, such as feet, thigh, chest, head, among other parts. The main and most
indicated technique for receiving / trapping the ball in Futsal is the “stepping”, which is when the Futsal
player dominates the ball by stepping on it with the sole of the foot.
Futsal Skills
Ball Carrying Skill on Futsal
Ball Carrying is the act of carrying the ball on your possession through the pitch. It is possible to carry the
ball in a straight line or changing direction (zigzag). Carrying can be performed by using the front of the
foot, the instep or by stepping on the ball, the so-called “roll”. It is very important that the Carrying is
performed with the ball always very close to the player’s feet.
Ball Carrying Skill on Futsal
Ball Pass Skill on Futsal
The ball Pass on Futsal is the act of sending the ball to a teammate. The Pass can be performed with any
part of the body eligible by the Futsal Rules, such as the feet, thigh, chest, head, heel. The most used
passing skill is performed by touching the ball with the inside of the foot, the so-called pass lead.
Kick or shooting skill on Futsal
The Kick on Futsal is the act of sending the ball towards the goal / goal of the opposing team with the
intention of scoring a goal. The Kick can be performed with any part of the body allowed by the Rules of
the Futsal; kick with the inside of the foot (lead), with the instep, back heel, thigh, and head. The best
Kick is the one that unites precision and strength.
Head Skill on Futsal
It is the act of heading the ball. Heading in Futsal can be used defensively, to stop an opponent’s attack,
to pass or in the form of a Kick / Finish, in order to score a goal. The most used Head Skill on Futsal is
performed by using the forehead area.
Dribble Skill on Futsal
Dribbling on Futsal involves two other skills: Trapping and Carrying. Dribbling is the act of passing
through a defender by trapping and carrying the ball. Dribbling requires change of direction, creativity,
speed and agility, with the intention of deceiving the opponent and passing through it.
Dribble Skill on Futsal
Body Dribbling in Futsal
The Body Dribbing in Futsal is different from the Dribble because it is performed without trapping the
ball, and it is also known as Body Dribble / Body Feint. The Body dribbling is a creative skill, with a
change of direction, not using the ball, performed in order to deceive the opponent, aiming to reach or
receive the ball.
