Reasons Why More People Should Play Futsal
5 Reasons to Love Futsal
If you're an athlete who's never played futsal, you may be missing out. This soccer variant is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, with teams and leagues popping up everywhere. It's thriving in America as well, with the U.S. Futsal National Championships held every year in Las Vegas.
Are you considering getting in on futsal fever? Here are five reasons why you should be playing futsal whether casually or as your primary sport.
1. You Can Play Futsal Almost Anywhere
One of the biggest advantages of futsal vs. soccer is how often you can play. It's primarily an indoor sport, but you can play it outside, too - you just need a hard, smooth surface. Although the standard international court is 40 meters by 20 meters, you can set up a smaller court for casual games. And the only futsal equipment required is two nets, a ball and good athletic shoes. Because the sport is so adaptable, you can get a game going year-round.
2. It's a Fast-Paced Game
The futsal field of play is much smaller than a regulation soccer pitch, which is 125 meters by 85 meters. Because of this, the game moves faster. It's also a continuous game with on-the-fly substitutions and rules about how quickly the ball must be put in play. Not only does this make it more exciting to play, but it also means you must make quick decisions, react fast and think ahead. This improves athletic intelligence as you constantly "read the game."
3. You Develop Skills Quicker
Playing futsal is a great way to accelerate the athletic learning curve. You're playing on a smaller pitch, and there are only five players per side, including the goalie. This means you handle the ball a lot more, giving you more in-game work on touch, control and passing. Some experts estimate that futsal players get seven times as many touches per game as soccer players - so you're getting seven times as much experience.
4. There Are Fewer Injuries
Even though futsal is such a fast game, players get hurt less often than in soccer. This is in part because slide tackles are forbidden and there are more restrictions on contact. The continuous play also builds physical fitness much faster, and since substitutions are unlimited, players can take a break when they need to rather than risk fatigue-related injury. Finally, since there's comparatively little jumping, futsal is easier on the knees than other "court sports" like basketball and volleyball.
5. It's the Sport of Soccer Superstars
What do all-time soccer greats like Pelé, Cristiano Ronaldo, Philippe Coutinho and Lionel Messi have in common? Before they played soccer, they played futsal. These incredible players and many others credit futsal for making them better soccer players. As Pelé once said, "Futsal requires you to think and play fast. It makes everything easier when you later switch to (soccer)." Anyone serious about becoming a great soccer player should spend some time on the futsal court.