Lexington United Futsal League at
Kentucky Indoor Soccer and Sports
the only sanctioned Futsal Leagues in the
Central Kentucky area!

Click Here for Futsal Registration forms

The game is played on a small court with a ball that is smaller and heavier than a typical soccer ball. The heavier ball tends to stay on the ground, which helps players develop their footwork, and the smaller field encourages fast play. In addition, Futsal is a no-contact sport.

U10 and under teams play 5 v 5 format on a half court space. U11 and older teams will also play a 5 v 5 format. U10 teams use Pugg-style portable goals with no goalkeepers, and U11 and older teams use permanent goals with goalkeepers. There is no limit to the number of players you can have on your team, though it is suggested that teams roster enough players to ensure they have twice the number of field players attending each game (8 players for U10 teams and ten players for U11 and older teams). Ball sizes also differ the U12 and under will play with a smaller size 3 Futsal ball and the U13 and above will play with an official Futsal size ball.

• All games are 2 (20 minute halves) with one time out per team per half.
• Unlimited on the fly substitutions.
• Out of bounds no boundary walls.
• Kick-ins, No throw-ins.
• Goalies throws no goal kicks (U10’s will have kick ins from the end line)
• After a goal is scored play will restart from the mid-line.
• 8 game season plus possible post season play
• Winners of all groups qualify to represent the league in regional play.
• Price per team $500 dollars all players and coaches covered by USFF Insurance.
• U12 teams will primarily play on Saturdays.
• U14 Friday nights and Sundays.

Click Here for the Official Futsal Rules

What is Futsal?

The term is an abbreviation of the Portuguese "futebol de salão" or the Spanish "fútbol sala", both of which mean "indoor soccer".
It is a scaled down version of conventional soccer and two teams of five players each play it, including a goalkeeper on each side. It is played on basketball-sized courts, on a variety of surfaces both indoors and outdoors. The game does not require the use of expensive dasher boards, but has instead the normal touchline boundaries with no wall to smash the ball (and the bodies) against. The ball is a smaller size (size 3 or 4), heavier and has a dampened bounce.
Futsal is the official five-a-side indoor soccer game and the only indoor soccer recognized by FIFA.
Futsal is slated to become an Olympic sport in 2008, which will create added interest and deeper growth.

The rules of the game are similar to classic soccer with certain modifications to allow for the reduced space.
Here is brief comparison of Futsal and soccer rules:

How does Futsal promote better skills?

Futsal is ideal for developing a player's technical and tactical skills.
Intelligence
Soccer is a very complex game. If we analyze every single game of its entire recorded history, we will not find two absolutely identical situations. Futsal is a totally fluid game with very few preplanned situations, which means a player has to improvise in order to meet constantly changing circumstances. Futsal is the ideal medium to develop soccer intelligence.
Technical proficiency
Futsal emphasizes skill rather than crude physical power. The smaller and heavier ball is a great instrument in promoting individual technical development. The number of ball touches a player gets is much greater than in conventional soccer, allowing the player to develop faster and more refined foot skills. One touch receiving and passing are used in wall passes and rotations and these certainly translate into success in the classic outdoor game.
Total soccer
The small numbers of players in a Futsal team makes it crucial for all players to defend and attack. There are not predefined positions which players stick to and get to develop typical defensive or attacking player mentalities.
This helps players become familiar with all positions in accordance with modern soccer requirements and creates the opportunity to solve lots of tactical problems under more pressure. Players learn not to relax and coast because the game is in constant transition with teams winning and losing the ball all the time.
Speed of play
Modern soccer is characterized by its fast pace. In Futsal, because of the tight space, the ball has to move faster between players' feet, helping players develop individual and team speed of play. This in turn forces players to make quicker technical and tactical decisions and gives them more confidence, which they can apply to the outdoor game.
Fun
Futsal is fast paced and exciting, with players moving all the time instead of sitting back and waiting for the ball. With the pitch being so small there are often high scores with many different players getting the chance to score goals.
Goalkeeper development
Goalkeepers have to be active participants and not be glued to their goal line. They learn to move with the ball, to keep in line with the ball and play particular attention to angles. They also learn how to actively participate in an attack as a fifth player.

How popular is Futsal?

Futsal can be considered the most rapidly growing indoor sport. Over 30 million people of both sexes in at least 100 countries already play it around the world.
Every day more and more federations, associations, academies, schools and clubs are discovering its excitement and learning value.

• In Italy, according to the Italian Olympic Committee, over 4 million play it, compared to the 1 million that play 11-a-side soccer.
• In Russia, the number of players is 3,500,000.
• In Japan, the supply of Futsal facilities cannot keep up with demand. They believe it is the best form of soccer for the inner city.
• In England, Futsal academies are mushrooming all over the country.
• In Portugal, it is the number one game in schools and universities.
• In the United States, a record number of 70,000 registered players are playing the game. There are Futsal associations in 42 states and the potential for growth is tremendous. At the 18th National Championship, July/2003, participation increased by 40% compared to the previous year.
• In Australia, Futsal has been developed very successfully for many years.
• In Asia, Iran is the biggest force outside Europe and America, although the game is rapidly gaining popularity in the Far East countries. The Tiger 5's has been a tremendous success in Singapore.

In most countries players are amateurs but many, including the USA, Brazil, Spain Italy, Portugal, Belgium, Switzerland and Russia have professional Futsal leagues.