Difference Between Futsal and Soccer

Futsal and soccer (association football) are closely related – both involve kicking a ball into a goal – but they differ in many important ways. In this guide on the difference between futsal and soccer, we explain everything from team size and court dimensions to ball and shoe design. We’ll show why futsal (an indoor, small-sided version of football) produces a faster, more technical game, and how each sport’s rules and equipment are optimized for its setting. Along the way you’ll see why futsal vs soccer is more than just field size, including insights into futsal vs indoor soccer and even equipment like futsal shoes vs soccer cleats.

Table of Contents

What Are Futsal and Soccer?

Soccer, or association football, is the world’s most popular sport – an 11-a-side game played on a large grass (or artificial turf) pitch. According to FIFA and estimates, there are about 250 million soccer players worldwide. Soccer is governed by the Laws of the Game (FIFA/IFAB), and features two 45-minute halves, an offside rule, goal kicks, throw-ins, and 11 players per team (including a goalkeeper).

Futsal is a 5-a-side, indoor variant of soccer with a heavier ball and smaller playing area. Its name comes from Portuguese/Spanish words for “hall football” or “indoor football”. Futsal began in Uruguay in 1930 as a way to play football in small indoor spaces. Like soccer, futsal is now governed internationally by FIFA (with its own Futsal Laws of the Game). In futsal each team has five players (four outfield players plus a goalkeeper), and games are much shorter (2×20 minute halves, with a stopped clock). There are far fewer futsal players globally – about 1 million registered futsal players as of 2006 – yet the sport is hugely popular in South America, Iberia and worldwide at amateur and youth levels. Many top soccer stars (e.g. Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar, Ronaldinho, Iniesta) grew up playing futsal, crediting it for developing their close control and decision-making.

Team Size, Positions and Substitutions

Players per Side: Soccer uses 11 players on the field (10 outfield + 1 goalkeeper). Futsal uses only 5 players per side (4 outfield + 1 goalkeeper). This means much more involvement for each futsal player.
Substitutions: Soccer permits only a limited number of substitutions (usually 3 in competitive matches). Futsal allows unlimited “flying” substitutions, meaning players can rotate on and off at any time without stopping play. This keeps futsal games very fast-paced.
Goalkeepers: In both games one player is the goalkeeper, but the rules differ. Soccer goalkeepers can handle the ball anywhere in their penalty area and release it by hand or kick. In futsal, the goalkeeper has only 4 seconds to release the ball after gaining control, and cannot handle a ball deliberately kicked back by a teammate. Note: both soccer and futsal prohibit a keeper from handling an intentional back-pass.
Offside Rule: Soccer has a strict offside rule (an attacker cannot be ahead of the last defender when the ball is played). Futsal has no offside rule. This allows futsal attackers to stay upfield, leading to more goals and end-to-end action.

Overall, futsal’s smaller teams and unlimited subs create a “free-flowing” environment with constant action. Soccer’s larger teams and more structured substitutions (plus the offside rule) make positioning and long-run tactics more important.

Playing Area and Surfaces

Court/Pitch Size: A soccer pitch is very large: FIFA recommends 105×68 meters (115×74 yards) for international matches, though allowable ranges are 90–120m long by 45–90m wide. A futsal court is much smaller: typically about 25–42 meters long and 16–25 meters wide. In practical terms, a futsal court is roughly one-quarter the area of a soccer field.
Surface: Soccer is almost always played on natural grass or outdoor turf. Futsal is played indoor on a hard surface (often polished wood or synthetic court). The hard, flat surface enhances ball control.
Walls/Boundaries: Soccer fields are open with touchlines and goal lines; once the ball fully crosses the boundary, play stops. Futsal courts have no boards or walls – boundaries are marked by lines on the floor, and the ball is out only when it fully crosses those lines. (This contrasts with indoor/arena soccer, which often has surrounding walls. More on that below.)
Weather: Outdoor soccer is subject to weather (rain, wind, etc.), but futsal’s indoor location means consistent conditions year-round. This makes futsal ideal for skill development in any climate.

These differences mean futsal games are more contained. With less space, players get more touches on the ball. The smaller field and smooth floor also favor ground passes and quick movements. In soccer, players utilize the larger field for long passes, aerial play, and more running.

Game Duration and Restarts

Match Length: A standard soccer match has two 45-minute halves (plus stoppage time). Futsal games have two 20-minute halves with a stopped clock. The clock is stopped on every dead ball in futsal (like timeouts or out-of-play), so total game time can approach 90 minutes including stoppages. Some recreational futsal leagues may use 25-minute halves with running time.
Timeouts: Soccer has no official timeouts. Futsal allows each team one 1-minute timeout per half, similar to basketball/handball.
Restarts – Throw-In vs Kick-In: In soccer, when the ball goes out over a sideline, play resumes with a throw-in. In futsal, there are no throw-ins: instead, the team gains possession with a kick-in (the ball is placed on the sideline and kicked back into play). This speeds up play.
Goal Kicks vs Goal Clearances: In soccer, a ball over the goal line by the attacking team is restarted with a goal kick (the defending keeper kicks from the goal area). In futsal, there is no “goal kick” – the goalkeeper simply clears the ball by throw or kick from hand within their area.
Offside: As noted, soccer has offside; futsal does not. This fundamental rule difference dramatically changes tactics.

In summary, futsal’s format (shorter halves, clock stoppage, timeouts, and restarts) is designed for an intense, spectator-friendly game. Soccer’s longer halves and continuous clock suit the outdoor, endurance-based nature of 11-a-side play.

Ball Differences

Size: A regulation outdoor soccer ball is size 5 (circumference 68–70 cm). Futsal uses a size 4 ball (circumference 62–64 cm). This smaller size is easier to handle in tight spaces.
Weight: Futsal balls are heavier (400–440 g) than soccer balls (410–450 g), meaning at the high end futsal balls can be as heavy or heavier than soccer balls. The added weight helps keep the ball on the ground.
Bounce: Futsal balls are specially designed with very low bounce – roughly 30% less bounce than a regular soccer ball. When dropped from 2 m, a futsal ball rebounds only about 50–65 cm. This low bounce (plus the heavier weight) forces players to play on the ground with controlled passes, rather than using high lofted balls or headers. (Heads rarely come into play in futsal.)
Construction: Futsal balls often have a slightly softer outer material and high-rubber interior to achieve the low bounce. The standard futsal ball has 60% rubber in the inner lining. Outdoor soccer balls vary (some leather, some synthetic) and are built for power and durability in rough conditions.
Durability: Because futsal is played on hard courts, futsal balls are made to withstand wear on those surfaces. Soccer balls, when used on turf or indoor courts, can scuff or bounce unpredictably. Thus, futsal players use the correct ball for the surface.

In practice, using the wrong ball greatly affects play: a soccer ball on a futsal court will bounce too high and be hard to control; a futsal ball on grass will feel heavy and won’t travel as far. It’s important to use a size-appropriate ball – a futsal ball for futsal and a soccer ball for soccer.

Goals and Scoring

Goal Size: Soccer goals are much larger: 7.32 meters wide by 2.44 meters tall. Futsal goals are only 3 meters wide and 2 meters tall. This smaller goal (just under half the width) means goalkeepers in futsal cover a proportionally similar area as in soccer, given the smaller court.
Scoring Dynamics: Futsal games tend to have more goals on average. The smaller court and lack of offside keep players close to goals, and unlimited subs keep players fresh, so scores can quickly rack up. In contrast, scoring in soccer often involves longer buildup and fewer total goals per game.

Footwear and Equipment

Soccer Cleats: Outdoor soccer players wear studded cleats (metal or molded plastic studs) for traction on grass or turf. These provide grip but are not used in futsal or indoor soccer, as studs on hard floors would slip and damage surfaces.
Futsal Shoes: Futsal players wear flat-soled, non-studded indoor soccer shoes (often called futsal shoes). These have a gum-rubber outsole. The soles are thin and grippy for close control. The absence of studs allows quick side-to-side movement on wood or synthetic courts. Futsal shoes also tend to be very durable, since the rubber must withstand constant contact with rough surfaces.
Indoor (Turf) Soccer Shoes: Indoor soccer (arena) shoes or turf shoes are similar to futsal shoes but may have very short rubber studs or textured soles for grip on artificial turf. According to one expert, futsal shoes usually have a thinner sole for maximum ball feel, while indoor/turf shoes can have slightly thicker cushioning. Futsal shoes do not have studs at all, whereas turf shoes often do (though still designed to be non-marking).
Shin Guards and Other Gear: Both sports require shin guards under the socks. The standards are similar. Apart from balls and shoes, most other equipment (jerseys, socks, shorts, goalkeeper gloves) is essentially the same.

In short, futsal shoes vs soccer cleats: futsal shoes = flat, rubber-soled, lightweight for courts; soccer cleats = heavy, studded, for grass. Both futsal shoes and indoor turf shoes share flat rubber soles, but futsal shoes emphasize touch while turf shoes add traction studs.

Playing Style and Tactics

Ball Control & Passing: Futsal’s smaller ball and court force players to use tight ball control, quick passing and precision. Walls of defenders appear quickly, so players dribble in short bursts, use toe-taps, or quick give-and-go moves. Coaches say futsal encourages creativity and confidence on the ball in small spaces. In soccer, while control and passing are important, the larger field also allows long balls, crosses and more open-field running.
Pace: Futsal is generally faster-paced due to constant action. Wikipedia notes “futsal is also perceived as being faster-paced than football because of both the pitch dimensions and unlimited substitutions”. Players are quickly rotating and pressing. Soccer has intermittent bursts of speed, with lulls when teams set up strategically or wait for a counterattack.
Physicality: Soccer often involves more physical endurance and full-contact tackling (sliding tackles, shoulder charges). Futsal allows limited contact; hard slide tackles are usually forbidden. The focus is more on skill rather than physical battles.
Roles and Formations: In soccer, positions are more defined (defenders, midfielders, forwards) due to the larger field and tactics. In futsal, positions are fluid – players constantly switch roles. There is no fixed offside, so even goalkeepers sometimes join the attack as a “flying goalkeeper” when a team is behind.
Coach’s View: Many coaches use futsal to develop young players’ skills. The confined space and emphasis on technique means a player touches the ball much more in a futsal match than in a soccer game of equal time. For example, one youth coach notes futsal “is one of the most effective ways to train and become a better soccer player.”. Indeed, some of the greatest players (e.g. Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Neymar) credit their futsal background for their exceptional close control and agility.

Bullet summary of style differences:

Futsal: Emphasizes close ball control, quick passing and creativity. More dribbling in small space; coaches note more touches per player.
Soccer: Utilizes space and athleticism; emphasizes crossing, running, teamwork. Requires high stamina for 90+ minutes.
Futsal: More goals and transitions; soccer: more buildup play.
Training crossover: Skills from futsal (control/technique) translate to better soccer skills.

Futsal vs Indoor (Arena) Soccer

Readers often ask “what’s the difference between futsal and indoor soccer?” The answer is that while they are similar (both indoor, small-sided), they have key distinctions:

Origins and Governance: Futsal is formalized under FIFA’s laws (World Futsal Federation and FIFA). Indoor soccer (sometimes called arena or 5-a-side) often follows local or league-specific rules. There is no single governing body equivalent to FIFA for arena soccer.
Playing Surface and Walls: Futsal courts are hard surfaces with painted lines (no walls). Indoor soccer fields usually use synthetic turf and often have walls or boards enclosing the field so the ball remains in play continuously. These walls can be used to play rebounds (like hockey). Futsal balls cannot be played off a wall.
Team Size and Time: In futsal, teams are 5-a-side (4+GK). Many indoor soccer leagues use 6-a-side or 7-a-side. Futsal halves are 20 minutes with stoppage; indoor soccer halves are often 25 minutes (running time).
Ball: Futsal uses the official futsal ball (low-bounce, size 4). Indoor soccer may use a regular soccer ball or a special turf ball (with slight bounce). Often it’s just a standard soccer ball, because the turf surface doesn’t require low-bounce.
Rules: Specific rules differ (e.g. in futsal a referee keeps track of accumulated fouls leading to penalty kicks after the 5th foul; indoor soccer rules vary by league). Offside is absent in both. Futsal has strict 4-sec keeper rule and built-in timeouts; indoor soccer rules for the goalkeeper or substitutions can differ.
Shoes: Futsal requires flat futsal shoes. Indoor (turf) soccer shoes may have tiny rubber studs for artificial turf. (See Footwear section.)
Intensity and Play: Futsal is generally more intense and technical. One Senda Athletics guide notes that futsal is “faster and more intense” than typical indoor soccer because of the tight space and pure focus on ball skills. Arena soccer, with the larger team and use of walls, often becomes a hybrid between soccer and hockey-style play.

In essence, futsal is a specific format with standardized FIFA rules, while indoor/arena soccer is a more loosely defined variant. Queries like “difference between indoor soccer and futsal shoes” follow from this: futsal shoes (flat rubber sole) vs indoor (turf) shoes (may have small studs).

Statistics and Global Popularity

For perspective on how widespread each game is:

Soccer (Association Football): Played in 208 countries, with roughly 250 million players worldwide. It is the largest sport globally.
Futsal: According to FIFA (2006), there were about 1 million registered futsal players worldwide. Futsal is huge in countries like Brazil, Spain, Portugal, etc., but remains largely amateur elsewhere.
Injury Rates: Studies show futsal has a higher injury rate per hour than soccer (due to the hard court and fast play), but both are globally popular team sports.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What exactly is the difference between futsal and soccer?
A: The core differences lie in team size, playing area, and rules. Soccer is 11-vs-11 on a large outdoor pitch with throw-ins/offside rules, while futsal is 5-vs-5 on a small indoor court with kick-ins and no offside. Futsal uses a heavier, low-bounce ball and shorter game time. Overall, futsal emphasizes close control and speed, whereas soccer utilizes space and endurance.

Q: Can I use a soccer ball in futsal or vice versa?
A: It’s not recommended. A futsal ball (smaller, less bounce) is required for official futsal play. Using a regular soccer ball on a futsal court results in excessive bounce and poor control. Likewise, a futsal ball on grass won’t travel as far. For best play and safety, use the ball specified by the rules of each sport.

Q: What are the key equipment differences (ball and shoes) between futsal and soccer?
A: Futsal uses a size-4 ball (62–64cm) about 30% less bouncy and slightly heavier than a size-5 soccer ball. For footwear, futsal players wear flat, rubber-soled indoor shoes. Outdoor soccer players wear cleats (studded boots) for grass. Indoor turf soccer shoes may have small rubber studs. Futsal shoes are designed for agility and ball feel on hard courts, whereas soccer cleats are for traction on grass.

Q: Is there a difference between futsal and indoor soccer shoes?
A: Yes. Futsal shoes typically have thinner, non-studded rubber soles for maximum contact with a hard court. Indoor (turf) soccer shoes often have a slightly thicker sole and may include tiny studs or tread for artificial turf. Both have non-marking outsoles. In short, futsal shoes = flat sole; indoor soccer shoes = often very short studs.

Q: Why do soccer players play futsal to train?
A: Futsal’s format forces quick decisions and more touches on the ball. Many top players attribute their ball control and creativity to futsal training. Coaches find futsal improves skills like dribbling, passing accuracy, and spatial awareness. For example, Cristiano Ronaldo has said the small space of futsal helped his close control.

Conclusion

In summary, the difference between futsal and soccer spans almost every aspect of the game. From 5-a-side vs 11-a-side teams, to courts vs pitches, and small low-bounce balls vs larger balls, each sport has its unique flavor. Futsal offers an intense, skill-focused experience on a hard indoor court, while soccer provides a broader, more endurance-based field game. Both games share the same heritage of “football,” but serve different roles: futsal as a fun, fast training ground for skill, and soccer as the universal field sport loved worldwide.

Ready to put this knowledge to use? If you found this comparison useful, share it with your teammates and friends on social media. Got questions or your own futsal-vs-soccer experiences? Comment below! We’d love to hear how playing futsal has impacted your soccer game (or vice versa).

Further Reading: Learn more about soccer and futsal gear in our other posts (e.g. choosing the right soccer cleats or futsal ball). Stay updated by joining local futsal leagues – you’ll see firsthand how every touch and substitution works differently between the two sports!