Futsal comes from Spanish fútbol sala. The term is commonly translated as "Indoor Football"

Futsal originated in Montevideo, Uruguay, in 1930 when Juan Carlos Ceriani devised a five-a-side version of Association Football (soccer) for youth competition in YMCA's on basketball-sized courts

Futsal is played between two teams of five players each, one of whom is the goalkeeper. Unlimited substitutions are permitted. The game is played on a hard court surface marked by lines. Futsal is also played with a smaller, harder, low-bounce ball. The surface, ball and laws together favour ball control and passing in small spaces. The game's "emphasis is on improvisation, creativity and technique"

Games are fast-paced, with players receiving more touches and are constantly placed in demanding decision making, limited space situations. Because the sport is a great skill developer, requiring quick reflexes, fast thinking, and pinpoint passing, it is an exciting game for children as well as adults.

• Fast-paced;
• Under pressure play encourages quick and creative decision making
• Teaches tactical awareness (i.e. recognizing space, support and pressure), and promotes lots of off-the-ball movement;
• Soccer alternative, played in the off-season
• Abundance of ball touches (i.e. more opportunities to develop foot skills and improve first touch); 
• Lots of fun, and high scoring!

Futsal is officially approved by FIFA and Football Australia (FA) who form the official governing bodies for the sport.

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