Bringing Futsal to the Hoosier State
Indiana Futsal is leading the way towards establishing this exciting 5-v-5 sport in schools, parks, and neighborhoods across Indiana. See how you can get involved in building this easily accessible game for players of all ages and skills in your community!
What is Futsal?
Futsal is an exciting, fast-paced small-sided football game that is widely played across the world. The nature of the game places a large emphasis on technical skill and ability in situations of high pressure, and is subsequently an excellent breeding ground for football competencies that can be translated into the 11-a-side format of the game.
Futsal is a five-a-side game, normally played on a flat indoor pitch with 3 meter by 2 meter goals and a size 4 ball with a reduced bounce. It is played to touchlines and all players are free to enter the penalty area and play the ball over head-height. Games are 20 minutes per half, played to a stopping clock (similar to basketball) with time-outs permitted.
There are a number of differences to our traditional version of small sided football, but the dominant elements are the absence of rebound boards and amendments in the laws that encourage and foster skillful, creative play above the physical contact that tends to be a feature of traditional five-a-side.
The surface, ball, and rules create an emphasis on improvisation, creativity, and technique as well as ball control and passing in small spaces.
Contact Indiana Futsal
To discuss ways in which you can help bring futsal into your community, contact Justin Becht, Director of Indiana Futsal, at justin@soccerindiana.org or 317-975-2020 ext. 2012 (office).
“Futsal for All” In-school Initiative
Futsal for All is a program created by Indiana Soccer and Indiana Futsal to provide access to the game of futsal for all students in grades K-12 in schools across Indiana.
The goal is to implement futsal in the Physical Education class to keep kids active as well as provide the opportunity of an after-school program.
History of Futsal
Futsal started in 1930 when Juan Carlos Ceriani Gravier, a teacher in Montevideo, Uruguay, created a version of indoor football for recreation in YMCAs. This new sport was originally developed for playing on basketball courts, and a rule book was published in September 1933.
Gravier’s goal was to create a team game that could be played indoor or outdoor but that was similar to soccer, which became quite popular after Uruguay won the 1930 World Cup and gold medals in the 1924 and 1928 Summer Olympics.
Mission Statement
Purpose: To utilize Futsal to enhance positive human development.
Mission: To provide access to Futsal for all Hoosiers.
Our vision is to live in a state in which every Hoosier has access to a version of the world’s beautiful game.
Our core values are directly linked to our vision, fuel our passion to keep focused on our membership, shape the way we work with our customers, and drive our decision making process by:
- Promote a healthy, safe and fun playing environment
- Ensure a dependable, accountable, and caring organization
- Build health and character through a focus on fair play and good sportsmanship
- Promote integrity, high ethics and moral standards.
- Provide inclusive opportunities for everyone to participate.
- Encourage teamwork, leadership, respect and family values.
Where to Play
More information coming soon on a list of public courts available for drop-in play and community usage.
Video Highlights
Mayor’s International Futsal Cup 2018
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett with Ersal Ozdemir, owner of Indy Eleven, & Dave Guthrie, Executive Director, ISA at the official opening ‘s ceremony of the Mayor’s International Futsal Cup 2018.
2018 Futsal Mayors Cup Honduras vs Brazil
Brazil face off against Honduras in Indianapolis at the 2018 Mayor’s International Futsal Cup that featured both men & women’s teams representing at least 29 countries from around the globe.
Mayor’s International Futsal Cup 2015
The third annual Mayor’s International Futsal Cup took place downtown Indianapolis, on Labor Day weekend with Bahrain taking home the championship medals in the men’s division for the second year in a row. Chile overtook team Mexico in an intense final match for the women’s division.
Mayor’s International Futsal Cup 2016 – Indiana Soccer
The 3rd annual Mayor’s International Futsal Cup in downtown Indianapolis with Bahrain taking home the championship in the men’s division for the 2nd year in a row. Chile beat Mexico in the finals for the women’s division.