What makes football so popular worldwide is that it can be played anywhere at any time in one form or
another. Through the years, many forms of the game have developed often out of local traditions or
influenced by factors such as the weather or availability of suitable facilities.
The prime example of this is Futsal – the official UEFA and FIFA version of five a side football.
Futsal is a format of football that is played extensively throughout the world and consequently is recognised
and fully supported by UEFA and FIFA.
Futsal is football in its purest form. It is an essential precursor to what Pele referred to as “the beautiful game”
Pace, skill, teamwork and high drama characterise this popular indoor game. Futsal is a sport in its own right which does not compete with football but serves to enrich it. It is widely viewed as the ideal skill building environment for producing technically excellent football players. There are proven benefits to playing Futsal for the technical skill development of young players, with particular emphasis on the skills of passing, dribbling and close control.
Indeed, some of the world’s most celebrated footballers are vocal in their endorsement of the game.
The FAI is confident that with the support of all its affiliates and the ongoing support of UEFA and FIFA, that
Futsal will continue to grow in popularity in Ireland. The development of Futsal in Ireland will complement
existing football programmes and will help to promote and improve participation in soccer in Ireland.
From a viewpoint of improving ball skills, embracing the concept of Futsal will be a sound investment in the
future technical development of our young players.
The FAI have a website specifically dedicated to Futsal that can be accessed by clicking here
INTRODUCING THE GAME WHAT IS FUTSAL?
• Futsal is the official FIFA and UEFA version of indoor 5 a side football and indeed the only internationally recognised small sided game.
• The word “Futsal” comes from the Portuguese phrase “futebol de salao” or the Spanish, “futbol de sala” which basically means indoor football.
• The main feature of the game is the ball which is a size 4 slightly weighted leather ball with restricted bounce rather than the fluffy, bouncy, yellow ball traditional to the indoor game in Ireland.
• Futsal originated in South America in the 1920s and is attributed to the natural skills and playing style associated
with Brazilian football in particular.
• The game is professional in many countries including Brazil, Italy, Spain and a large number of Eastern
European countries.
• World superstars such as Pele, Zico, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho cite futsal as a major influence in their skill development.
• FIFA and UEFA have acknowledged the importance of Futsal to world football and now host World and European championships. UEFA has also launched a club champions cup competition called the UEFA Futsal Cup.
“I played Futsal for 2 or 3 years before I joined Santos. Futsal was important in helping to develop my ball
control, quick thinking, passing…. also for dribbling, balance, concentration…. futsal was very, very important, no doubt”.
Pele, World football icon and arguably the greatest ever football player
“Futsal is an extremely important way for kids to develop their skills and understanding of the game.”
Ronaldinho
(FIFA World Footballer of the Year 2004, 2005
Download an introduction to Futsal by clicking here
FUTSAL IN SLIGO-LEITRIM LEAGUE
The sligo=Leitrim league pioneered Futsal in the north west region with a pilot programme in autumn 2008. This brought teams at under 8 and under 10 level into a non competitive tournament at the fantsatic facilities at Sligo Institute of Technology. The programme was a huge success on each saturday.
As part of the initiative all clubs participating received a free futsal.
The clumination of this porgramme was a finals day for all teams just prior to christmas that included a variety of draws and prizes for the kids.