As a sports lover or a planner of a facility, you need to know what the types of futsal courts and football turfs are. Futsal is a small sided fast paced football game played on hard courts, whereas the football turf serves regular football soccer games. This is a guide describing what is futsal game, futsal rules, design of court and turf, type of surfaces, and difference between construction, to help you decide on the appropriate amenity to use.
What is Futsal?
Futsal is an indoor football game that has 5 players, a game that started in South America. The game is played in a small area and focuses on skill, rapid passing, ball control and strategy.
Key Features of Futsal:
- Played on a solid flat field (outside or indoor).
- Half the size and height of indoor play.
- Players There are 5 players on each side of the field, one the goalkeeper.
- Reduced duration of match: 2 halves lasting 20 minutes.
Futsal improves dribbling, passing accuracy and understanding of tactics, thereby making it a popular sport among young footballers as a skill development sport.
Futsal Court Dimensions
| Feature | Futsal Court | Notes |
| Length of the Court | 25–42 meters | Smaller than football field |
| Court Width | 16–25 meters | Depends on level |
| Goal Size | 3m x 2m | Smaller than football goals |
| Surface | Wood, vinyl, or synthetic | Hard flat bouncing surface |
| Number of players | 5 per side | Including a goalkeeper |
The courts may be indoors or outdoors, though it should have a consistent bounce and grip.
Football Turf Dimensions
Football turfs have 11-a-side matches:
| Feature | Football Turf | Notes |
| Field Length | 90-120 meters | Reg. FIFA size |
| Field Width | 45-90 meters | Depends on the level |
| Goal Size | 7.32m x 2.44m | Normal FIFA goal |
| Surface | Natural or artificial turf or grass | Designed as an outside use |
| Number of players | per team11 each Side | Standard football |
The turfs of the footballs can also be artificial or hybrid to use all the year round
The Major Differences between Futsal Courts and Football Turfs
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Size of the Playing Area
- Futsal courts are significantly smaller than football turfs, which make the game quick and intense.
- Football turfs have more space to accommodate more players and a longer ball movement.
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Surface Type
- Futsal: Hard, smooth floor to ensure consistent bounce (wood, synthetic, vinyl).
- Football: Natural or synthetic grass, which is occasionally mixed with sand/rubber infill.
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Number of Players
- Futsal: 5 per side.
- Football: 11 per side.
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Goals and Ball Size
- Futsal goals are smaller (3m x 2m).
- Football goals are bigger (7.32m x 2.44m).
- Futsal balls are smaller, heavier, and less bouncy in order to promote control.
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Game Duration
- Futsal: 20 minutes stoppage, two halves.
- Football: Two 45-minute halves, with additional time.
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Gameplay Style
- Futsal also emphasizes passing, dribbling and fast attacks.
- Football focuses on long passes, endurance and cover of the field.
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Maintenance and Construction
- Futsal: Nicely cleaned and polished floor, little maintenance.
- Football turf: The turf needs to be watered (natural), groomed and infill needs to be even (artificial).
Futsal Court Construction
How to build a Futsal Court:
- Surface Preparation: Having a levelled ground or foundation.
- Flooring: Use wood, vinyl or synthetic floors.
- Markings: Court boundary, penalty area and center line paint.
- Goalposts: Install regulation futsal goals.
- Safety Features: Indoor courts should have padded walls, smooth flooring and sufficient lighting.
Tip: Artificial surfaces enable indoor and outdoor futsal courts to have an equal level of performance throughout the year.
Football Turf Construction
Steps to create a Football Turf:
- Ground Preparation: Dig the ground and even it out to allow it to drain.
- Base Layer: Provide a base of compacted gravel or sand over which the solar panels or sheets will be placed.
- Surface Installation: Natural grass or artificial turf that has a fill (rubber/sand).
- Field Markings: Paint lines for boundary, penalty box lines and center circle.
- Goalposts: Install FIFA goals and nets.
- Maintenance Arrangement: Schedule irrigation of natural grass or frequent care of artificial turf.
When compared with futsal courts, football turf construction needs greater space, maintenance and investment.
The Benefits of Futsal and Football Turf
| Feature | Futsal Court | Football Turf |
| Space Requirement | Small, indoor space is adequate (small). | Large, open outdoor space is required. |
| Cost | Inexpensive, low maintenance. | Expensive, needs to be maintained or watered. |
| Skill Building | Improves ball control, dribbling. | Develops stamina and long-pass strategy. |
| Accessibility | Can be arranged in schools, gyms. | Requires more land, possible in clubs. |
Popular Futsal Tournaments
- FIFA Futsal World Cup
- AMF Futsal World Cup
- Local school, college and corporate leagues.
 Get to know more about the type of football turf.
FAQs: Futsal vs Football Turf
Q1. What is futsal game?
Ans. Futsal is an indoor football game that is played in a small hard court on a 5 players soccer field and it focuses on the handling of the ball, passing and proficiency.
Q2. Is it possible to play football in a futsal court?
Ans. Not recommended. Futsal courts are smaller and have varied surfaces, which can impact on the bouncing of balls and safety of the players.
Q3. What is the size of a futsal court in opposition to a football turf?
Ans. The average futsal court size is of 25-42m by 16-25m, as compared to 90-120m by 45-90m of a football turf.
Q4. Which is the best surface to use in futsal?
Ans. Indoor futsal plays best on wood, vinyl or synthetic courts whereas outdoor futsal uses synthetic turf of smooth surface.
Conclusion
Although futsal courts and football turfs may appear to be similar, their size, surface, rules, and building requirements are not the same. Futsal is best suited to skill development, indoor playing, and quick paced games whereas football turf would be best suited to playing on traditional outdoor or 11 diverse players and the game being longer.
In Gallant Sports, we are experts in the construction of both futsal and football turfs so that we ensure a high quality, durable and safe playing surface to the schools, academies and clubs. Going to the appropriate facility enhances performance, participation, and fun of the game.
