A BEGINNER’S

GUIDE TO
FUTSAL
CONTENTS
3 GUIDE TO STARTING UP A YOUTH FUTSAL COMPETITION
4 Introduction
5 Getting a competition up and running
6 Pitch and equipment
6 Futsal referees
6 Coach education
6 Size of the futsal tournament or league
7 Communication
7 Venue and equipment
8 Competition rules
9 Use of league table
9 Administering your league on FA full time
9 Player registration

10 THE FA FUTSAL LAWS OF THE GAME

11 Youth futsal
12 How futsal began
13 What the great players say about futsal
14 Playing area
15 Ball
15 Goals
16 Match officials
17 Timing of games
17 Four second law
18 Kick ins
19 Restarts
20 Goalkeepers
21 Rolling substitutions
21 Sliding tackles
22 Accumulated fouls
22 Red cards
23 How do I organise futsal without access to a dedicated pitch?
23 What makes futsal the game that it is?
23 The benefits of futsal

24 FUTSAL PITCH SIZE

25 Overview
25 Age appropriate futsal pitches
26 Futsal pitch guidance community usage
27 Futsal pitch guidance club usage

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GUIDE TO
STARTING UP A
YOUTH FUTSAL
COMPETITION
3
GUIDE TO STARTING UP A YOUTH FUTSAL COMPETITION

INTRODUCTION
Providing young players with the
opportunity to play futsal will bring
about all sorts of benefits.

Futsal is a fast paced, skilful small sided game As a futsal beginner, this guide will provide you
that most players really enjoy playing. If you with everything that you need to know. It contains
are a youth football league, providing a futsal information you need on;
competition will add variety and interest to
your season. Players will relish a new technical • Getting a competition up and running
challenge for the players and managers and
spectators may thank you for taking them inside • The FIFA Laws of Futsal
and out of the cold! Securing the facilities to stage
a futsal competition may present some challenges • Guidance on pitch sizes and markings
but nothing that can’t be overcome.
• Guidance on setting up your league using The
The biggest thing to remember is that you need FA’s Full Time Website
to provide an experience of futsal and not just of
indoor football. The closer you can get to the ‘real
game’ the more the participants will identify its
benefits and enjoy the experience.

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GUIDE TO STARTING UP A YOUTH FUTSAL COMPETITION

Getting a competition up and running

If you’ve received a grant from the Football

Foundation this will mean that the County Football
Association is aware of it and has supported your
proposal. Contact your local County FA Football
Development Team and they can guide you
through setting up your competition. If you are
an existing affiliated league this may be as easy
as simply creating a new Futsal Division(s) on
Full Time. If you are a ‘Start Up’ league then the
competition will need to be affiliated and the CFA
will help you do this. Participating teams will then
be able to register players using The FA’s Whole
Game System.

In planning your competition it’s crucial that you

offer a genuine futsal experience. This will require
you to embed five essential criteria;

1. The game is played to lines and futsal pitch

markings (either permanently through tape or
just by temporarily marking the pitch with flat
disc markers).
2. Use of a futsal ball
3. Use of futsal goals
4. Matches played to FIFA Futsal Laws of the game
5. Matches played on a hard playing surface (not
on grass or an artificial surface)

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GUIDE TO STARTING UP A YOUTH FUTSAL COMPETITION

Pitch and equipment Futsal referees

Ideally the game should be played indoors in any For introductory competitions with younger
appropriately sized school or community sports age groups a single futsal referee could officiate.
hall. At an introductory level we would suggest The ideal set up would involve the use of two
that the minimum pitch size is 25m x 15m with a referees assisted by a table official. Most County
run-off around the pitch of 2m. The floor surface FAs will have trained futsal referees but it would
should be wooden or a suitable synthetic floor be worthwhile running a futsal refereeing course
that is smooth and flat. prior to the league starting, to train additional
independent referees or ensure that each club has
Futsal goals are 3m x 2m in dimension and a trained official that could take control of a game
very similar to hockey or handball goals (these if required.
alternatives could be used if you are struggling
to access proper futsal goals). As with any forms Coach education
of football, do make sure that the goals are safe
and secure before you start playing. There are Futsal presents a new challenge to coaches and
a number of retailers of futsal goals online from an understanding of the laws of the game and
whom you can purchase these goals. differing tactics are required. If you can work with
the CFA to stage a futsal taster session or a futsal
In order to play a game that truly resembles futsal level one award for team coaches this will greatly
you will need a proper futsal ball, as these are assist the competition once it gets underway.
smaller and denser than a normal football. The
Football Foundation will provide you with a starter Size of the futsal tournament or league
bag of futsal balls and additional balls can be
purchased online. It is recommended that players The number of teams entering the league or
aged U12 years of age use a size 3 ball and players competition has a significant impact upon
aged 13 years and above a size 4. determining other factors related to organising
the event, such as the size of the facility, number
of pitches required, referees, format of the
tournament etc. So initially the organiser needs
to consider the desired number of teams that
they would wish to take part in the event. This will
then help you decide whether you will stage the
competition using one, two or multiple venues.

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GUIDE TO STARTING UP A YOUTH FUTSAL COMPETITION

Communication

The event organiser needs to liaise with the teams

prior to the start of the league season ensuring
that they are an existing Youth Football and Futsal
League, you are well used to communicating
with teams about fixtures and results but new
leagues need to give consideration to this. The
FA’s Full Time website provides an excellent way
of doing this but there is still a role for the event
organiser who needs to liaise with the teams prior
to the start of the league season, ensuring that
they have all the information that they require
and procedures are clear in relation to confirming
fixtures, cancellations, tournament rules, player
registration, discipline procedure, welfare process
and location and access to venues.

Venue and equipment

Depending on the age of the participants that you

are catering for you may need to consider where
participants and their parents can wait prior to
their fixture. A local authority sports centre may
have a café or viewing gallery but a school sports
hall may lack both.

The event organiser will need to consider whether

the venue has the necessary futsal goals, and
if not then how these will be obtained. It would
also be advantageous if there was an electronic
scoreboard that could be used for the matches,
but this is not essential.

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GUIDE TO STARTING UP A YOUTH FUTSAL COMPETITION

Competition rules

Prior to the league starting it is important

to pay some consideration to the rules
that you intend to follow.

Where possible, stick to the FIFA Futsal Laws of the

Game, but you may need to modify them in order
to fit the specific circumstances of your event.
Common rule changes are:

Match duration
A normal game of futsal is 20 minutes each way but depending on the number of participating
teams and access to facilities you may need to shorten this duration and play to a non-stopping
clock in order to fit all games into the allotted schedule.

Timeouts
In order to keep games running to time then frequently timeouts are either reduced (one per
team for entire game) or removed entirely.

Accumulated fouls
If the duration of the game has been reduced then the number of accumulated fouls that
can be conceded before a penalty is given is often reduced in order to make this more relevant
and appropriate.

The event organiser should also consider other

elements that are specific to your league such as
disciplinary action taken following a sending off.
For a league you should also consider elements
such as teams failing to turn-up or cancelling at the
last minute.

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GUIDE TO STARTING UP A YOUTH FUTSAL COMPETITION

Use of league table

Please note that in line with FA standard code of

rules for youth football no results or league tables
for U7-U11 teams may be published.

Administering your league on

FA full time

The FA’s Full Time website provides the ideal way

to schedule fixtures and provide league tables and
results for U12 age groups.

If you haven’t done it before talk to your CFA. You

can also make use of the guidance documents that
can be found on the site.

fulltime-league.thefa.com/

Player registration

Existing Youth Football Leagues should set up

their futsal competition as a new division or
divisions. League operators should then provide
the CFA with a list of participating teams. On the
Whole Game System, CFAs can then tick ‘Also
plays futsal’ box for the participating football
teams. This will then register all of the existing
football players as also being futsal players.

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THE FA FUTSAL
LAWS OF
THE GAME
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THE FA FUTSAL LAWS OF THE GAME

YOUTH FUTSAL
This is an introduction to the Laws of
Futsal so that more and more people can
begin to play and enjoy the game. They
are the basics that make it quite different
from traditional 5v5 football.

Coaches of young players should ensure they have

an understanding of the basic laws detailed in this
guide before a match, but this is a great way to
start children playing and enjoying the game.

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THE FA FUTSAL LAWS OF THE GAME

How futsal began

Futsal was first played on basketball

courts in Uruguay in the 1930s.

As a fast moving, skilful version of football it soon

spread to other South American countries such
as Brazil. Futsal became popular in large crowded
cities where there was a shortage of
football pitches.

The skills and techniques developed by playing

futsal were very apparent in the wonderful World
Cup winning Brazilian teams.

Now futsal is recognised not only as a

development tool for football, but as a brilliant
game in its own right. Futsal has been embedded
into the England DNA. It is a great way to keep
children playing during the winter months. Players
of all ages love to play futsal.

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THE FA FUTSAL LAWS OF THE GAME

What the great players say about futsal

“As a little boy in Argentina, I played futsal

on the streets and for my club. It was
tremendous fun, and it really helped me
become who I am today.”
Lionel Messi

“During my childhood in Portugal, all we

played was futsal, the small playing area
helped me improve my close control, and
whenever I played futsal I felt free. If it
wasn’t for futsal, I wouldn’t be the player I
am today.”
Cristiano Ronaldo

“The technique of playing futsal is different

to the eleven-a-side version; there are
spectacular things you can attempt that
you would not dare trying in football. It
adds more fun to the discipline.”
Zinédine Zidane

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THE FA FUTSAL LAWS OF THE GAME

1 PLAYING AREA

Futsal playing area dimensions are above.

A hard surface is required. Indoors is preferable but outdoors on a hard surface is

ok. The game can not be played on grass or on AGP pitches.

The pitch has marked lines so that the ball can go out of play. Futsal can not be
played with board or wall surrounds.

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THE FA FUTSAL LAWS OF THE GAME

2 BALL

U12 and under U14s- seniors

Size 3 Size 4
Futsal ball Futsal ball

Playing with a futsal ball is essential.

The ball is smaller, heavier and bounces less than a normal football.

Futsal balls are available in age appropriate sizes.

3 GOALS
Futsal goals are 3m × 2m (the same as Hockey or Handball goal size).

The goalposts and crossbars should be a different colour to the pitch.

Safety is always the first consideration with any goalposts. The goals should be secured so that they do not
collapse or overturn.

Portable goals should only be used if they comply with the above.

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THE FA FUTSAL LAWS OF THE GAME

4 MATCH OFFICIALS

Two referees are normal at games in order to apply The Laws of Futsal but one can
manage with younger age groups.

At international level there are two referees, a third official and a timekeeper.

A referee has the power to apply The Laws of Futsal on the day even if they are
not fully qualified. At grassroots level, the aim is to get more children playing the
game. The number of officials available should not prevent this.

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THE FA FUTSAL LAWS OF THE GAME

5 TIMING
OF GAMES
A futsal match consists of two 20 minute halves
real time. This means that the clock stops
whenever the ball goes out of play. However at
a grassroots level organisers may need to use a
running clock and adjust the duration of games
to match the availability of the facility and the
number of games to be played.

Each team is allowed a 60 second time out in

each half.

6 FOUR
SECOND LAW
When the ball goes out of play, the player in
possession of the ball has four seconds to restart
play with a kick-in, goal clearance, corner kick or
free kick.

Referees count with their fingers in the air to show

how many seconds.

If play has not restarted within the four second limit

a free kick will be awarded to the opposing team.

Goalkeepers are not allowed to control the ball for

more than four seconds in their own half.

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THE FA FUTSAL LAWS OF THE GAME

7 KICK INS

To restart the game after a ball has gone out of play, the ball is kicked back into
play from the touch line and from corners .

The ball must be stationary on the touch line.

The feet of the player taking the kick in must not cross the line.

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THE FA FUTSAL LAWS OF THE GAME

8 RESTARTS

The five metre law applies to all kick ins, goal clearances, free kicks, and corners.

Penalties distance is 6m or edge of the ‘D’.

Players are required to be this

Kick in 5 metres
distance away from the player in
Goal clearances 5 metres
possession of the ball.

Freekick 5 metres

Corners 5 metres

Penalties 6 metres or edge of the ‘D’

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THE FA FUTSAL LAWS OF THE GAME

9 GOALKEEPERS

Goalkeepers are allowed to come OUT of the penalty area. Outfield players are
allowed IN the penalty area.

A goal clearance must be thrown out by the goalkeeper. The goalkeeper cannot
touch the ball again until he or she has crossed into the opponent’s half or a
member of the opposition has touched the ball.

The four second rule also applies to the goalkeeper in possession.

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THE FA FUTSAL LAWS OF THE GAME

10 ROLLING SUBSTITUTIONS
At international level 14 players would be used in one match. At lower levels it is recommended to be 10/12.

There is no limit on how long a player must stay on or off the pitch.

Players must enter and leave the field of play from the substitution zone.

Roll on roll off substitutions can be made at any time during the game with permission from the referee,
including players who have already been substituted.

For young players in the Foundation Phase 50% game time is recommended.

11 SLIDING TACKLES
Slide tackles are not permitted in Youth Futsal in ENGLAND (up to age U16).

The only time players ARE permitted to slide is to keep the ball in play.

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THE FA FUTSAL LAWS OF THE GAME

12 ACCUMULATED FOULS

Each team will be allowed to give away five direct free kicks in each half. On the sixth foul, a 10m penalty kick
is awarded to the opposing team and every foul after that in the same half is also a 10m penalty (pictured).

The defending team is not allowed to position any players (other than the goalkeeper) between the ball
and the goal. The kick may be taken from the 10m mark or, if the foul was committed closer to the goal than
10m, from the position where the foul took place.

13 RED CARDS
If a player is sent off, their team must remain with four players until either two minutes have passed or the
opposition has scored a goal.

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THE FA FUTSAL LAWS OF THE GAME

How do I organise futsal without access to a dedicated pitch?

Ideally futsal matches would be played on a marked indoor court of the right dimensions and markings.
In reality you’re likely to be required to adapt an existing facility that has been designed to accommodate
badminton, basketball or netball. The good news is that this can easily be done.

What makes futsal the game The benefits of futsal

that it is?
Futsal has now been embedded into the England
With this in mind these are the five basics. Without Coaching DNA. It is a fantastic game in its own
them, it is not a game of futsal: right, but it brings so many other benefits to
young players:

• Develop skills
The surface must be a hard court. • Improve decision making
• Learn to innovate on the pitch
• Develop different game strategies
The ball must be a heavier futsal ball • Gain more flexible movement
– Size 3 or size 4. • Learn different tactics

The format must be 5v5 on court

– Up to 14 in total team.

The pitch must have touchlines not

played off walls.

Must use 3m × 2m futsal goals

– Handball goal size.

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FUTSAL PITCH
SIZE

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FUTSAL PITCH SIZE GUIDANCE

OVERVIEW
England boasts over 4,000 sports halls and Age appropriate futsal pitches
many more that are smaller in size. These
exist in schools, local leisure centres, other When considering the appropriate size futsal pitch
for young players we must consider, but not be
education sites or private provision.
limited by;

Player safety must be at the heart of any futsal

• Availability of, and access to facilities
offering and The FA, facility providers, club officers
and officials have an important role to play in
• Safe run off space
ensuring a safe environment for play.
• Adapted FIFA Futsal Laws of the Game - for
grassroots and youth futsal only

• Age specific benefits offered by the format

• Safety of players

• The ball

• Number of referees

• Table officials

Therefore when considering the size of the pitch

for the age, maturation and level of the player,
reducing the pitch size has several impacts as a
game constraint that will have a huge impact upon
play and development outcomes.

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FUTSAL PITCH SIZE GUIDANCE

FUTSAL PITCH GUIDANCE

Community usage

Length Width Run off Centre Circle 2nd (10m)

(max) m (max) m (min) m (min rad) m Penalty (min) m
U9 18.00 11.00 1.00 1.50 4.50
U11 20.00 12.50 1.00 1.50 4.50
12 - 16 30.00 15.00 1.00 2.25 10.00
Note: applies to all Local Qualifying Competition (LQC) rounds of The FA Youth Futsal Cup

18m
Length 20m 1m
30m

Width
1.5m 4.5m 11m
1.5m 4.5m 12.5m
2.25m 10m 15m

Under 9s
1m
1m 1m
1m
Under 11s
Team bench Team bench
1m
12 - 16s

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FUTSAL PITCH SIZE GUIDANCE

FUTSAL PITCH GUIDANCE

Club usage

Length Width Run off Centre Circle 2nd (10m)

(min-max) m (min-max) m (min) m (min rad) m Penalty (min) m
16+ 30 - 42 15 - 25 1.00 2.25 10.00
Note: applies to all Local Qualifying Competition (LQC) rounds of The FA Futsal Cup

Length min 30m max 42m 1m

Width min 15m max 25m

2.25m 10m

1m
1m 1m
1m

Team bench Team bench

1m

1. Side and end walls or rebound boards are not used in futsal and a run off is a requirement. Run off
dimensions stated in the table are absolute minimums. Where the run offs are stated as 1.0m it should
be noted that whilst this is permissible, 2.0m is preferred and should be accommodated where feasible
at the facility.

2. Additional space is required for benching/tables/officials/team bench.

3. It is imperative that facility providers, event organisers and participating teams conduct a safety
risk assessment of the pitch dimension applied and its run offs which should be recorded within the
competition log and operational management plan.

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