ABOUT US
We are committed to advancing and promoting the sport of Futsal in San Antonio and South Texas. Our league provides a safe and professional environment for children to play. Our goal is for all players to have fun, learn and enjoy the sport of Futsal!
MISSION
We are dedicated to developing and expanding the sport of Futsal in San Antonio and South Texas, and providing our players the opportunity to participate in our league, camps, clinics, and tournaments. We strive to achieve the highest level of professionalism and the best overall experience for all participants.
GOALS
To launch, integrate and establish Futsal in San Antonio and South Texas;
To communicate the Futsal Laws of the Game;
To develop state-of-the-art facilities to promote the sport of Futsal;
To organize and support new Futsal competitions;
To promote Futsal clinics, camps and tournaments, as well as publish Futsal materials for players, coaches, referees and officials; and
To provide administrative and technical assistance to our members.
WHAT IS FUTSAL?
Futsal is the official five-a-side game and the only indoor soccer recognized by FIFA. Futsal is beginning to take the country by storm as more and more soccer players, coaches, clubs and associations discover the unique and positive qualities of Futsal. It is a game played around the world as many of today’s world stars began their youth soccer by playing Futsal. The Brazilians attribute their world soccer success to Futsal. Pele, Zico, Socrates, Ronaldo and Bebeto grew up playing Futsal and credit Futsal with developing their skills.
Futsal is a small-sided game (5v5 including the goalkeepers) played on a small court roughly the size of a basketball court. The game does not require the use of dasher boards. It is played with the touchline boundaries with no walls to bang the ball against. The official ball is a special low bounce ball that is heavier and smaller than an official size 5 soccer ball. The ball forces a player to use their skill rather than the ball’s bounce to propel it. It is a complete skill game. Futsal develops the overall fundamentals of soccer more effectively. It has been proven that youth players develop quicker reflexes, faster thinking and pinpoint passing. It is a superior game in terms of establishing players’ touch and technique.
As compared to the American indoor game where a player relies on utilizing the walls, Futsal forces a player to think two or three steps ahead without using the walls. One touch passing is essential in maintaining ball possession on a smaller surface. Therefore, an individual’s overall ball handling skills and off the ball movement enhance considerably. When a player gets in trouble with the ball, there is no whacking it off the wall. Their split second thinking improves automatically as one learns how to maintain possession and distribute the ball quickly. Shots must be more accurate, since a shot off target will not produce a rebound. More shots are also taken during the course of a game, which will enhance a player’s confidence, by taking on a defender and shooting quickly. A player does not have as much space or time to dribble with the ball. Futsal helps to develop tremendous close quarters footwork.
IS FUTSAL NEW?
IS FUTSAL JUST AN ODDBALL FAD?
WHY THE FUNNY BALL?
Unlike some myths, a Futsal ball is neither funny nor fuzzy. It is, however, different. The Futsal ball, also known as a reduced bound or low-bounce ball, is smaller than a normal outdoor soccer ball and heavier. There is a FIFA specification for the ball's size, weight and bounce.
These properties are specifically designed to build confidence and develop skill and technique. When a Futsal ball is received, it virtually 'sticks' to the foot. This builds great confidence in tight spaces when rapid passes are being issued repeatedly. Interestingly, that same property which makes the ball easy to receive makes it more difficult to strike. A Futsal ball gradually eliminates the 'lazy pass'. It is heavier and players rapidly get acquainted with the merits of bending the knee, turning the hips, and striking the ball firmly to propel it. Repeated touches on the ball eventually produce a motion which, when transplanted outdoors with a high bounce ball, translates into a firmer and proportionately longer pass appropriate for the big field.
Many programs around the world also claim that smaller size encourages more precise striking of the 'sweet spot' of the ball. If one works during the offseason on striking a Futsal ball, then a larger bouncier ball is struck with greater confidence and authority in the outdoor game.
FUTSAL vs INDOOR
REASONS WHY FUTSAL IS BETTER THAN INDOOR SOCCER
Futsal players fight to keep the ball from crossing the touch line and you will immediately begin to see how futsal develops skill, control, and technique. A small field with lines puts players constantly under pressure from other players and out-of-play boundaries. Players must learn to settle the ball rapidly, cut sharply, shield effectively, pass quickly, and move into space.
Futsal places a greater premium on ball control. There is no reward for errant passes or shots because the other team gets the ball. There is no incentive to 'kick and run' because the field is too small and packed with players. Players with the ball must use proper technique to maintain control and must seek out other players in space. Players without the ball must move to 'real' space and must truly support their teammates.
With futsal, the emphasis is clearly on control and technique. Without control and technique, you cannot expect to succeed in futsal. And, if the players want to be more successful at the higher level, it is clear that they must better train and prepare on proper technique. If you are serious about skills and technique development, futsal is the superior activity. Futsal promotes better technique and develops skills more rapidly. And if you are serious about the quality of time you spend playing or watching soccer matches, futsal is clearly better.
HOW DOES FUTSAL PROMOTE BETTER TECHNIQUE?
Compared to walled soccer or large indoor field soccer, futsal places a greater premium on ball control. There is no reward for errant passes because the other team gets the ball. There is no reward for errant shots because the other team gets the ball. There is no incentive to 'kick and run' because the field is too small and packed with players. Players with the ball must use proper technique to maintain control and must seek out other players in space. Players without the ball must move to 'real' space and must truly support their teammates.
With futsal, the emphasis is clearly on control and technique. Without control and technique you cannot expect to succeed in futsal. And, if American players are to be more successful in the international arena, it is clear that we must better train and prepare our youth on proper technique. Playing indoor soccer in a hockey rink just does not make sense to any serious development program. If you are serious about skills and technique development, futsal is the superior activity. Futsal promotes better technique and develops skills more rapidly. And if you are serious about the quality of the time you spend playing or watching soccer games, futsal is clearly better.
HOW IS FUTSAL BETTER THAN WALLED SOCCER?
As an attacking futsal player, there are no walls to save errant passes. There are no walls to stop long balls. There are no walls to rebound errant shots. There are no walls against which to pin the ball or your opponent. There are no walls to help you if you lack the feinting skills to beat a defender. There are no walls to save you if your teammates are not moving into space to support you. In general, you must control the ball, use proper touch and technique, use correct pace, send accurate service, and truly work dynamic combinations.
As a futsal defender, you can 'face up' on an oncoming player just like in outdoor soccer (there is no wall pass to beat you). You can let errant passes go out of bounds to win the ball (the proper result of your opponent's mistakes). Goalkeepers and defenders can concentrate on proper shot blocking angles. You do not need to worry about long overhead balls which should go out of bounds. You can drive an oncoming player into the side to break up break-aways or outnumbered breaks. In general, you can train and perfect the defensive techniques which apply to outdoor soccer. You don't waste time working on defending against phantom players (i.e. walls).
Consider some of the key problems with the following typical hockey-rink style indoor soccer scenarios:
Question: In hockey-rink soccer, what happens when a child bounces a ball against a wall in order to beat an opponent?
Answer: The child advances the ball past a defender when there is a wall available without the need or effort of feinting, chopping, or chipping. Hockey rink soccer supporters defend this as a useful simulation of passing to a teammate who subsequently one-times the ball as part of a 'give-and-go'. Futsal sees this as a lost opportunity to work on skills to beat defenders (i.e. never waste an opportunity to work on the skills required for the outdoor game).
Question: In hockey-rink soccer, what happens when a child bounces a wall-pass to a teammate?
Answer: The child advances the ball to a teammate when there's a wall available without the need or effort of passing. Hockey rink soccer supporters defend this as a useful simulation of passing to a teammate who subsequently one-times the ball to the forward-most member of a 'triangle'. Futsal believes the best pass is to a live player. You should be developing dynamic combinations of moving players who move into space. The player with the ball looks for moving teammates and anticipates those movements. Do not assume a stationary target (i.e. the wall) is always there ready for your pass. You need to be trained on the realities of the outdoor game and your teammates need to learn how to support you.
Question: What happens when a child blasts a shot against a wall so an onrushing teammate can score on the anticipated rebound?
Answer: The child creates scoring opportunities when there is a wall available to either side of the goal without the need to make an accurate shot. While some soccer aficionados label this a useful exercise others feel it is best to practice taking accurate scoring shots.
Question: What happens when a child beats a defender by 'dumping the ball into the corner' (á la NHL) and chasing it?
Answer: The child beats a defender when there is a wall available without fear of the ball rolling out of bounds without the need or effort of passing or dribbling. Futsal supporters argue that players should always be reinforcing the need to control the ball and keep it in play (i.e. never waste a touch).
It should be apparent that there are serious problems with the above scenarios in terms of developing proper technique for the 'real' game of outdoor soccer:
1. These indoor soccer techniques assume that a wall is available. If there is no wall available, then these wall-based skills have questionable value.
2. These so-called 'wall skills' can account for a frighteningly high percentage of the touches in a game. Therefore, the quality of the time spent in terms of developing useful outdoor soccer skills is limited.
3. Playing with walls introduces a real danger to the child. What happens when a player pins his/her body against the boards either to advance a ball past a defender (who is also pinned against the boards) or to stop his opponent from advancing? And what can happen when players run at full speed toward the boards? Real horror stories abound.
Futsal places a premium on control and technique. Take away the walls and you can still have as much fun as walled soccer. But there are far more quality touches and repetitions which directly translate to the outdoor game. With futsal, you make better use of your time and money.
IS FUTSAL AS MUCH FUN AS WALLED SOCCER?
It is interesting and important to note that, unlike outdoor soccer, THERE ARE WALLS IN MOST FUTSAL CENTERS! The walls are typically three to ten feet from the boundary lines. Therefore errant balls rebound quickly back to players who subsequently put the ball back into play within four seconds. So, you experience the speed and continuous play of 'walled soccer' along with the benefits of small-sided skills-oriented gaming.
From a developmental standpoint, you satisfy the magic objective of teaching proper technique while having fun. This is, perhaps, the most wonderful achievement of futsal.
HOW IS FUTSAL SAFER?
WHY PLAY FUTSAL?
FUN
Players enjoy the challenge of playing a fast paced skill oriented game that tests their abilities.
SAFETY
Futsal is much safer than traditional indoor soccer. Indoor soccer can be a violent game with extremely physical play such as players being “boarded” into the walls. The Futsal Laws of the Game restrict physical play, and there are no walls to run into.
BALL TOUCHES
In a statistical study comparing futsal to indoor soccer with walls, futsal players touched the ball 210% more often than indoor soccer players.
BALL CONTROL
With limited space, boundary lines, and constant opponent pressure, improved ball control skills are required.
SPEED OF PLAY
With limited space, constant opponent pressure, and a 4 second restart rule players learn to play fast to survive.
CONTINUITY OF PLAYS
Action is continuous so players are forced to continue play in support of their teammates.
MANDATORY SUPPORT
Without a wall as a crutch, players must make supporting runs when their teammates have the ball.
FRAMING THE GOAL
The goal and Penalty Area are a perfect size for narrowing the angle so teams learn to frame the goal to score goals.
KNOWLEDGE
With four court players and all the basic options of the outdoor game, players’ understanding of the game is enhanced.
ENCOURAGED LEARNING
FIFA's Laws Of The Game for futsal encourage playing a skilled game by punishing all physical contact fouls.
REWARDS
Futsal rewards the same basic skills, tactics and knowledge of the game as the 11v11 outdoor game.
HOUSE RULES
TIME OF THE GAME
All matches will consist of two (2) periods of 20 minutes. Half time will be no more than five (5) minutes. No timeouts are allowed. There is no overtime, injury or stoppage time.
ROSTERS
Maximum of 12 players allowed on each team. All players must be listed on the team roster. Teams found in violation will forfeit all matches played with ineligible players and could risk dismissal from the league.
NUMBER OF PLAYERS
Each team will have five (5) players on the court, one of whom shall be the goalkeeper.
Minimum of four (4) players required to start and continue a match.
For Coed play, one (1) female player (not including the goalkeeper) must be on the court at all times.
PLAYER EQUIPMENT
Teams must have players in similar colored uniform for matches, with numbered jerseys.
In the event of a color conflict, the home team (listed first on the schedule) must wear alternate jerseys.
The goalkeeper must wear a jersey color that will distinguish the player from the rest of the players on the court and the referees.
Shin guards are mandatory and must be fully covered by socks.
Indoor or futsal shoes with non-skid soles are allowed. Cleats and turf shoes are not permitted. Shoes with black soles are not allowed.
Jewelry, watches, earrings, eyeglasses, and other dangerous items are not permitted.
BALLS
An official match ball will be provided for each match. Only the official match ball will be used for match play.
#3 Ball: U9-U12
#4 Ball: U13-U18
REFEREES
One referee will officiate each match.
Abuse of referee in any form, whether verbal or physical, will not be tolerated. Players or spectators violating this rule will be asked to leave the facility.
Referee fee is $10 per team per game.
KICK-OFF
A kick-off is the way of starting or restarting play at the start of the match, after a goal has been scored, and at the start of the second half of the match. The ball must move forward on a kick-off. The kicker may not touch the ball a second time until another player has touched it. A goal may be scored directly from the kick-off.
KICK-IN
A kick-in is an indirect kick. A kick-in is awarded when the whole ball passes over the touchline, either on the ground or in the air, or hits the ceiling. A kick-in must be taken from the place where it crossed the touchline to the opponents of the player who last touched the ball. The ball must be stationary on the touchline and is kicked back into play in any direction.
The player taking the kick-in may not be in-bounds when taking a kick-in. A player may have one foot on the touchline when taking the kick but their body must be outside the field of play when taking the kick. The players on the defending team must be at least nine (9) feet from the place where the kick-in is taken.
If a kick-in is not taken within four (4) seconds from the time the player places the ball on the line, a kick-in is awarded to the opposing team, to be taken from where the infraction occurred.
CORNER KICK
A goal may be scored directly from a corner kick. A corner kick is awarded when the whole ball, having last touched by a player of the defending team, crosses over the goal line either on the ground or in the air. If a corner kick is not taken within four (4) seconds from the time the player places the ball on the line, a goal clearance is awarded to the opposing team, and the ball handed to the opposing team goalkeeper.
SUBSTITUTIONS
Each team has unlimited “on the fly” substitutions during play or when play has ceased. Play is ceased when a goal is scored, a penalty is awarded, or an injury timeout is called. A player may substitute for the goalkeeper “on the fly” as long as the referee is informed beforehand. If a substituting player enters the field of play and becomes “involved” in the play before the substituted player has left the field, an indirect free kick will be awarded to the opposing team.
Substitutions must occur at midcourt and players are required to slap hands to ensure that no more than five (5) players from each team are on the court at all times.
PENALTY KICKS FROM THE FIRST PENALTY AREA
The defending goalkeeper remains on the goal line, facing the kicker, between the goal posts, until the ball has been kicked. Players other than the kicker are located inside the playing area, outside the penalty area, behind or to the side of the penalty mark, and at least 15 feet from the penalty mark.
PENALTY KICKS FROM THE SECOND PENALTY AREA
The defending goalkeeper remains nine (9) feet from second penalty spot in front of his goal, facing the kicker, until the ball has been kicked. Players other than the kicker are located inside the playing area, outside the penalty area, behind or to the side of the penalty mark, and at least nine (9) feet from the penalty mark.
SCORING
A goal is scored when the whole ball has crossed over the goal line, between the posts and under the crossbar. A goal may not be counted if it is thrown, carried, or intentionally propelled by the hand or arm by a player of the attacking side including the goalkeepers.
MERCY RULE
The Mercy Rule has been implemented in order to promote sportsmanship. Below are the guidelines of the Mercy Rule:
(1) If goal differential reaches 10 or more goals in the first half, the match will terminate at half-time.
(2) If at any time during the second half the goal differential reaches 10 goals, the match will terminate.
Both teams must clear the court immediately once a match has been terminated.
STANDINGS
Standings will be kept based on a three-point system:
(1) Three points for a win.
(2) One point for a tie.
(3) Zero point for a loss.
The team with the most points at the end of the season will be declared the winner.
In case of a tie, tie-breaker will be:
(1) head-to-head competition;
(2) goal differential;
(3) least goals allowed; and
(4) most goals scored.
There is no playoff system. First-place teams will receive trophies.
GOALKEEPERS AND GOAL CLEARANCE
A goal clearance is a method of restarting play. A goal may not be scored directly from a goal clearance.
The goal clearance is awarded when the whole ball, having last been touched by a player of the attacking team, passes over the goal line, either on the ground or in the air, and a goal is not scored.
The ball is thrown from any point within the penalty area by the goalkeeper of the defending team. All balls thrown in from the goalkeeper must hit the ground or a player before going over the midcourt line. If the ball goes over the midcourt line and does not hit the ground or a player, a direct kick is awarded to the opposing team at the center dot at half field.
After making a goal clearance, the goalkeeper cannot play the ball a second time until it has touched another player. The goalkeeper may set the ball down and dribble it out of the penalty area but cannot pick it back up again in the penalty area until the ball is touched by an opponent or played back by a teammate some way other than a direct pass off of the foot i.e. header. An indirect kick on the penalty arc closest to the violation will be awarded to the other team. The ball is in play when it is thrown directly beyond the penalty area. If the ball is not thrown directly beyond the penalty area, the goal clearance is retaken.
Unlimited pass back to the goalkeeper is allowed.
If the goal clearance is not taken within four (4) seconds from the time that the goalkeeper takes possession of the ball, an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, to be taken from the penalty area line at the place nearest to where the infringement occurred.
No punting or drop kicks allowed.
FOULS AND MISCONDUCT
A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following five (5) offenses in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force:
* Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent
* Trips or attempts to trip an opponent
* Jumps at an opponent
* Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent
* Pushes an opponent
A direct free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following offenses:
* Holds an opponent.
* Spits at an opponent
* No slide tackles allowed. Goalkeepers may slide in their goal area to save the ball providing it is not a slide tackle (a goalkeeper may not slide feet first at an opponent in order to make a save).
* Handles the ball deliberately, except for the goalkeeper, in his own penalty area.
* No shoulder charges allowed.
A direct free kick is taken from the place where the infringement occurred.
A penalty kick is awarded if a player commits any of the aforementioned offenses inside his/her own penalty area, regardless of the position of the ball but provided that it is in play.
Yellow Card / Caution: A player is cautioned, shown the yellow card, and sent off for two (2) minutes if the player commits any of the following offenses:
* Is guilty of unsportsmanlike behavior
* Shows dissent by word or action
* Persistently infringes the Laws of the Game
* Delays the restart of play
* Fails to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a corner kick, kick-in, free kick, or goal clearance.
Red Card / Ejection: A player is shown the red card and sent off if the player commits any of the following offenses:
* Is guilty of serious foul play.
* Is guilty of violent conduct.
* Spits at an opponent or any other person.
* Denies the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball (this does not apply to a goalkeeper within his own penalty area).
* Denies an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player’s goal by an offense punishable by a free kick or a penalty kick.
* Uses offensive, insulting, or abusive language.
* Receives a second yellow card in the same match.
A player who has been red carded and sent off may not re-enter the game nor may he/she sit on the players’ bench. A replacement player may re-enter the game two (2) minutes after a teammate has been sent off, unless a goal has been scored before the two (2) minutes have elapsed. If a player receives a red card or is sent off, he/she will sit out the following match to serve his/her one match automatic suspension. If it is a playoff or final match of a season, he/she will sit out the first match of the following season.
A player who has been red-carded will have to pay a $25 fine before he/she is allowed to resume play (after serving the one match suspension).
Players who are sent off for fighting will be permanently banned from the league.
CASTS OR SPLINTS
Casts or splints are not allowed.
FUTSAL COURT
Matches are played at our FIFA regulation-sized futsal court located at Red Horse Park in Universal City. Our state-of-the-art futsal court is constructed with 100% acrylic court surface which enhances safety and maximum performance for players of all ages. With a dynamic design and spectacular view for our spectators, our players will have a fantastic playing experience. We know that once you have played at our brand new futsal court, it will be the only place you will always want to play!
Red Horse Park Futsal Court
134 Meadow Way
Universal City TX
FACILITY RULES
Only indoor shoes with non-skid soles are allowed on playing court.
Cleats or shoes with black soles are not permitted on playing court.
Skateboards, roller blades, bicycles, and scooters are not allowed.
Alcoholic beverages and tobacco products are prohibited.
Air horns or any similar noisemakers are not allowed.
Spitting, cursing or fighting are strictly prohibited.
Pets, with the exception of service dogs, are prohibited at all times.
Glass containers are not allowed.
FUTSAL REGISTRATION
SPRING FUTSAL LEAGUE
April - May 2024
TEAM ROSTER
Minimum: 8 Players
Maximum: 12 Players
TEAM REGISTRATION FEE
Registration Fee: $400/Team
