What Are The Differences Between Futsal And Indoor Soccer?
Today, people love sports, both indoor and outdoor. Every game has its own style and requirements to play. Two of the most popular games are futsal and indoor soccer. These games are the same for many people as they have similar playing environments and smaller fields. Especially if you are a casual player or beginner, you may be unfamiliar with the rules that differentiate futsal and indoor soccer. But now don’t worry at all! This guide will explain the differences between futsal and indoor soccer. Let’s start here!
What is Futsal?
Futsal is a fast-paced indoor football game that is one of the most popular games in the world. It is extremely popular, especially in countries like Brazil, Spain, and Portugal, where it has a massive following. This game is played on a small and hard court with five players per team. You have to use a smaller, low-bounce futsal balls that requires quick passes and close control. This game is all about using your skills, agility, and teamwork.
What is Indoor Soccer?
Indoor soccer is also a fast-paced version of football. This indoor game is world-famous, especially in countries like the USA, Canada, Mexico, and England. Indoor soccer is played on a smaller and enclosed field with artificial turf. In this game, you have to add six players to your team who use walls to play with proper rules. This game is all about showing off your speed, quick passing, and close ball control.
Key Differences Between Futsal and Indoor Soccer?
Both futsal and indoor soccer are fast-paced and intense games. There are many similarities between both, whether it is about the small team size, the fast-paced nature of the games, or the environment. We have covered the key points to let you know how the two sports are not the same and have many differences between futsal and indoor football:
Location
Talking about futsal, it is true that this game comes under the category of indoor games. But you can play this game outdoors as many players do that as well. Futsal has a smaller court, which is more confined and dynamic. Its field size is 82 feet x 49 feet and a maximum of 138 feet x 82 feet.
On the other hand, indoor soccer is exclusively played indoors only. The field size of this game is much larger, which allows players a much wider space to play the game. A standard indoor soccer field is about 200 feet x 85 feet.
Surface
The difference in playing surface is a key point that creates a vast difference between the two games. Futsal is played on hard courts to allow faster reactions to the ball. It also emphasizes the level of play and requires more technical skills. The unique surface of the game requires players to wear high-quality futsal boots.
While, indoor soccer is designed to be played on different surfaces. You can play this sport on artificial turf, wooden floors, rubber floors, synthetic surfaces, and more. This makes it one of the most versatile and multipurpose sports. For Indoor soccer it requires players to wear high-quality indoor football boots.
Ball
The ball is the most important piece of equipment, making a significant difference between the two games. In a futsal game, you have a smaller and much heavier ball compared to a soccer ball. That is the reason you can see that the ball does not have much bounce capacity. Talking of the exact size of the ball, it can be size 4 and weigh 400-440 g. This gives you better ball control and quick passes.
On the other hand, indoor soccer involves using a standard soccer ball. That gives you a more familiar feel in terms of size and weight. An indoor soccer ball is usually size 5, weighs 410-450 g, and has more bounce, similar to a regular soccer ball.
Time and Players
The playing time and the number of players in the team differ in both games. Futsal game time is shorter, i.e., two halves of 20 minutes each. In indoor football, halftime lasts between 25 and 30 minutes. This game has many top international futsal teams including Brazil, Spain, Argentina, Portugal, and Italy. They are known for their strong performances in global tournaments. This makes futsal one of the widely known games.
Futsal teams consist of 5 players, which makes this game more strategic and faster. On the other hand, indoor soccer games usually have 6 players per team, but you can also play a 5 vs 5 game. The difference between the game time and the number of players affects the pace, strategy, and playing style of both games and makes them different from each other.
FIFA Regulations
FIFA regulates futsal with official rules that team players have to follow when playing the game. This includes two 20-minute halves, a size 4 low-bounce ball, five players per team, rolling substitutions, and no walls. These rules make this game more demanding for skill and control.
FIFA does not govern indoor soccer, but you have to follow regional or league-specific rules. The rules are basic, as we mentioned above: having six players per team, two 25-30 minute halves, and walls for continuous play.
Final Word
Both futsal and indoor soccer are different sports and require unique skills and techniques. The decision to choose between futsal and indoor soccer depends on your personal preference and playing style. On the one hand, indoor soccer is the best sport for beginners. And you can choose this sport to prepare yourself for the big stage. Futsal, on the other hand, demands a higher level of technical proficiency.
Make sure that when you are going to any sport, you have protective gear to play your sport efficiently without any injury. You can choose jerseys, shin guards, non-marketing shoes, and socks to get the proper athletic look. This will protect you from potential risks and falls during the game. Today, we see that both sports have a huge craze all over the world.
