Futsal is... the only official form of indoor soccer recognized by FIFA. The game is played with a smaller, less bouncy ball on a flat, hard court ranging from basketball-sized to 25m x 42m and uses touch line boundaries instead of sidewalls. Becauses there are four players and a goalie to each team, the game is frequently caled Five-a-Side.

Because of the small court and lack of walls, futsal requires good ball control and is an excellent way for players to develop faster decision making, precise passing, controlled touches, and quick reflexest.

The name futsal comes from the Spanish or Portuguese word for "soccer"-- futbol or futebol -- and the French or Spanish word for "indoor" -- salon or sala. Originating in Montevideo, Uruguay, in 1930, the game is now played by over 12 million people in over 100 countries worldwide and touted as one of the keys in the development of soccer greats such as Pele, Zidane, and Ronaldhino. Futsal has only recently gained a grass-roots interest here in the United States, but its popularity is increasing quickly.

Read a complete history of the game here.

...and the complete laws of the game here.