Team sports · 4 min
Futsal vs five-a-side: what is the difference?
Futsal and 5-a-side football both have five players a team, but the ball, the court and the rules differ. Here is what changes when you book a court.
Both games have five players a side, including a goalkeeper, and a small pitch. The similarities end there. Futsal has official FIFA rules, a hard indoor court and a heavy ball; five-a-side is a casual format whose rules change from venue to venue.
The differences at a glance
| Futsal | Five-a-side | |
|---|---|---|
Surface | Indoor hard court | Usually artificial grass |
Boundaries | Lines, kick-ins | Often boards or walls |
Ball | Size 4, low bounce | Size 5, normal bounce |
Goals | 3 × 2 m | Varies by venue |
Match | Two 20-minute halves, clock stops | Varies, running clock |
Substitutions | Unlimited, rolling | Usually unlimited |
Fouls | Counted per team per half | Rarely counted |
The ball
A futsal ball is a size 4 with a low-bounce bladder. It feels heavy and dead when you drop it, which is the point: it stays on the floor, so the game is played with the sole of the foot, short passes and quick combinations. A normal size 5 football on a hard floor bounces all over the place, so do not bring one to a futsal court.
The rules that change the game
- Kick-ins, not throw-ins: when the ball goes out over the sideline, it is kicked back in from the line within four seconds.
- The four-second rule: kick-ins, corners, free kicks and the goalkeeper in possession in their own half all have four seconds.
- Accumulated fouls: from a team’s sixth foul in a half, every foul gives the other team a direct free kick without a wall.
- Rolling substitutions: players come on and off at any time, through the team’s substitution zone.
- A stopped clock: two halves of 20 minutes of playing time, so an official match takes well over an hour.
In a social game you will not keep every rule, but kick-ins and the four-second restarts are worth using: they keep the game moving and make it feel like real futsal.
Goalkeepers and tackles
The futsal goalkeeper may throw the ball out, and it often starts attacks with a quick throw to a winger. Inside their own half they have only four seconds with the ball at their feet or in their hands. Out on the court, keep your feet: slide tackles are penalised when an opponent is playing or about to play the ball, and every foul counts towards the team total.
Why teams train with futsal
The heavy, low-bounce ball stays on the floor, so players get many more touches and make faster decisions than in the full game. That is why many football academies use futsal for skill development, especially for young players.
Futsal for kids
Futsal suits children well: the small court means every player touches the ball, and the heavy ball rewards control over power. Younger children often use a smaller size 3 futsal ball and shorter halves. For a kids’ session, book a smaller court or half the hall, add a coach who lists youth training, and keep the groups small so nobody spends the hour on the bench.
What to wear
- Flat indoor shoes with non-marking gum soles. Studs and blades are not allowed on a hard court.
- Shin guards: futsal is a contact game, and the ball is heavy.
- Bibs in two colours, so nobody has to bring matching shirts. You can rent them with the court.
What a court costs
Typical hourly rate for a whole futsal court, before any peak-hour pricing. The venue’s own price shows before you pay.
| Sport | Typical price | Players | Playing area |
|---|---|---|---|
Futsal | ₱2,500/h | 10 (5v5) | 40 × 20 m |
Shared across ten or twelve players, the court fee becomes a small amount each. Book 90 minutes if you want a proper warm-up and time for subs to rotate.
Organising a weekly game
The hardest part of futsal is not the game but getting ten people to the same court every week. Pick one fixed slot, book it a few weeks ahead, and share the booking link in the group chat as soon as you book. Ask everyone to pay their share within a day, so you know who is really coming. Keep a short list of reserves for last-minute dropouts, and rotate who books so the job does not always fall to the same person.
Booking tips
- Split the court fee across the squad when you book, so one person is not left collecting cash.
- Rent bibs and a futsal ball so nobody has to remember them.
- Book early in the week: weekday evenings after work and weekend mornings fill up first.
- Check the listed court size: a small court suits 4v4, a full-size court proper 5v5 with rolling subs.
- Bring twelve rather than ten, so there are fresh legs on the bench.