The main difference between Futsal vs Indoor Soccer is, Indoor Soccer is played on turf, with walls, and with a normal soccer ball, while futsal is played on a hard court, without walls.
Generally considered the same but there are numerous aspects that differentiate futsal and indoor soccer. As a football fan, one must be aware of the key differences between the aforementioned sports.
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Futsal vs Indoor Soccer – 15 Major Differences:
1. Players
Futsal allows five players at a time including the goalkeeper and it allows a total of nine substitutions. Indoor soccer involves six players and a maximum of 14 substitutes.
2. Ball
Starting with the balls, the ones used in futsal are lighter than the soccer balls and weigh between 14 to 16 ounces. On the other side, the indoor soccer ball should be spherical, made of suitable material like leather, and have a circumference not greater than 70 cm and no less than 68 cm.
3. Time and Duration
Two equal halves of 20 minutes are played in futsal with a break of 15 minutes in between. The indoor soccer match lasts two equal periods of 25 minutes.
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4. Location
It is mandatory for indoor soccer to be played under a roof whereas futsal can be played both outdoors and indoors. Hard court is used in futsal and the indoor court consists of artificial grass or turf.
5. Contact
Though both futsal and indoor soccer allow the same degree of contact as regular soccer, the cost of fouls is greater in futsal. The opponent gets a free shot at goal if a team commits five fouls in a half.
6. Rules
The player sent off in futsal can be replaced whereas a team must play with a man short in indoor soccer.
7. Tactics
In futsal, tactics are easy to change as nine substitutions can be used in a game. Compared to this, indoor soccer allows a limited number of subs, so, the subs have to be used after considerable thinking.
8. Coaching
More intense coaching is required in futsal as it emphasizes an individual to beat the opponent.
9. Required Skills
The futsal emphasizes close control and touches as the hard surface increases the speed of the game.
10. Competition Magnitude
Once in four years, the futsal World Cup is played. The first edition was hosted by the Netherlands in 1989. Brazilians have won a record number of four Cups. No tournament of such stature is played in indoor soccer.
11. Career and Money
Countries like Brazil, Argentina, Spain Italy, and Portugal have professional football leagues and the top-rated players in these leagues can earn more than 100,000 pounds a year. On the other hand, the nature of indoor soccer is mainly recreational.
12. Recommended Sport
Futsal has considered better for kids because of the factor that futsal pitches are more than indoor soccer courts and futsal also allows more substitutions.
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13. Beginner Friendly
Futsal can be tough with a fast pace, so, beginners find it easier to start with indoor soccer.
14. Other Differences
It is a normal thing to use a stopped clock in futsal but indoor soccer uses the running clock. For a corner kick to be taken in futsal, there is a time limit. Longer than four minutes give the possession to the other side.
15. Fun
A lot of fans rate futsal as more attractive because of the fact that there is no possibility of a draw and the teams play for the win.
