The Futsal Ball
Why so many questions about the Futsal Ball or known as balon de Sala in other countries. Although Futsal was first invented back in Uruguay in 1937, the game Futsal has just recently started getting popular in the US, England, Australia, and other english speaking countries.
The game has been extremely popular in South America, Spain, Portugal, and a few other European countries. Numerous Asian countries have really started getting into Futsal as well. Brazil is no longer the only Futsal loving country, Futsal has now taken over the world and has quickly become one of the hottest sports in the US and around the world.
Futsal name
The name futsal is a combination of Spanish term ( fútbol sala or fútbol de salón ) and Portuguese term (futebol de salão). This term is usually used as an indoor football but a more literal meaning is “hall/lounge football”.
The Spanish name fútbol sala was used in 1985 during the second world championships held in Madrid. Futsal is also known as fútsal or football. It is played on a hard court, that is smaller than a football pitch and mainly used for indoors.
Futsal Ball Myth Is the Futsal Ball Heavier?
So lets get into the details of the futsal ball, which is why you are here. Lets start out with one of the greatest and biggest myth about the Futsal ball… the futsal ball is “heavier”. Some people believe the futsal ball is heavier than a regular soccer ball. Some people believe that a futsal ball is “weighted” to make it heavier.
We had a parent once say that they didn’t want their child playing futsal because the futsal ball was too heavy and they were afraid that the ball would hurt their child…
Unlike some myths, a Futsal ball is not necessarily a heavier ball. It is, however, different. After speaking to a few futsal ball manufacturers, I learned the futsal ball is stuffed with cotton. This makes the ball seem heavier, but since the ball is smaller than a regular soccer ball, the futsal ball actually weights LESS than a regular size soccer ball. Imagine that… but myths travel far.
Futsal Ball Specifications
These are specifically designed to build confidence and develop skill and technique of the futsal player and soccer player. This was the thought process of the inventor of futsal in Uruguay.
So how does a Futsal ball help? When a Futsal ball is received, it virtually ’sticks’ to the foot of the player due to its low bounce properties. This also means that a player is able to dribble a futsal ball in traffic since it won’t be bouncing all over the place.
The Futsal ball, which is known for its reduced bounce or “low-bounce”, is smaller than a normal outdoor soccer ball and just a tad heavier. The specifications of the futsal also aid in tight spaces when rapid passes are made repeatedly. The players are able to make quicker passes due to less bounce.
According to FIFA, the specifications are as follows for a size 4 futsal ball, which is also known as SENIOR futsal ball and the largest ball in futsal.
The futsal ball is a low-bounce ball. The size is less than the normal outdoor soccer ball. The futsal ball’s properties are specially designed to increase skills. And only a tad heavier. According to FIFA, the specifications are as follows for a size 4 futsal ball, which is likewise known as the biggest futsal ball or “senior” ball.
Futsal Soccer Ball circumference:
The circumference of futsal soccer is 62-64 cm. The Futsal ball is about 20 to 60 grams lighter than an average soccer ball. So the individual that usually says “the futsal ball is heavier” is completely incorrect and false.
Even though the futsal ball is made of cotton, foam, or some different fabric, the materials used to stuff the futsal ball is very mild, lightweight and won’t have a whole lot of an impact at the weight of the ball. The futsal ball is almost 6-8 cm smaller in size than a regular 5 size soccer ball.
Futsal Soccer Ball Weight
The weight very ball to ball. The futsal ball weight is 390-430 grams. You can learn more about the Futsal ball weight in our article. According to FIFA, the specifications are as follows for a size 4 futsal ball, which is better known as SENIOR futsal ball since there is no such thing as a size 5 futsal ball.
Comparison Chart
Futsal Ball Dimensions and Properties
Futbal ball Material: Leather or other suitable material such as synthetic leather.
Size: #4
Circumference: 62-64 cm (25-26 inches)
Weight: 390-430 grams (13-14 grams)
Bounce: 55-65 cm on first bounce
Now lets look at a normal soccer ball or the size 5 soccer ball that is used to play by professional teams and many other teams 13 years old and up around the country.
Soccer Ball Dimensions and Properties
Soccer ball Size: #5
Soccer ball Circumference: 68 – 70 cm or 27 – 28 inches
Soccer ball Weight: 410 – 450 grams OR 14 -16 oz
Soccer ball bounce: 108 – 110 cm on first bounce
Soccer Ball Material: made of leather or other suitable material such as synthetic leather
Futsal Ball materials:
Both balls are normally manufactured with an outer cover made of leather or synthetic leather or other suitable material like plastic, nylon, rubber, etc.
So why does the futsal ball seem heavier?
or why do some people believe the futsal ball is “heavier”?
After speaking to a few futsal ball manufacturers, I learned the futsal ball is stuffed with cotton. So we went out and purchased a futsala ball to open it up and review the filling of the futsal ball. This is what we found. It is true that some futsal balls are filled with either cotton or some form of filling that will help it maintain a lightweight, but also take up space inside the ball to reduce the bounce.
How does a futsal ball help player development?
Interestingly, that same property which makes the futsal ball easy to receive makes it more difficult to strike a powerful shot. A Futsal ball gradually eliminates the “lazy pass” from players who have bad technique. Since the futsal ball is heavier, players must quickly get acquainted with the qualities good technique of passing and striking, which is bending the knee, turning the hips, and striking the futsal ball firmly to drive it.
Constant Touches
Constant touches and experience with the futsal ball eventually assist in translating those techniques outdoors with a soccer ball. This translates into a firmer and proportionately longer pass appropriate for the bigger field when necessary. Many countries and coaches around the world also claim that smaller size futsal ball encourages more precise striking of the ’sweet spot’ of the futsal 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 11 a side game.
Build Confidence
These futsal ball properties are specifically designed to build confidence and develop skill and technique. When a Futsal ball is received, it virtually ’sticks’ to the foot of the player. This is one of the advantages of playing and training with a futsal ball, the player develops quicker than when using a regular soccer ball. The specifications of the futsal ball aid in building great confidence in tight spaces when rapid passes are made repeatedly in futsal games and futsal trainings.
Since the futsal ball is heavier, contestants must rapidly get familiar with the traits of an excellent technique, that is bending the knee, turning the hips, and putting the ball firmly to pressure it. Many countries and coaches all around the world also claim that smaller size futsal ball supports greater unique striking of the ’candy spot’ of the futsal ball.
All those factors make the futsal ball the precise tool for training and for growing skills in soccer players. The futsal ball is perfect for youngsters to use in the local area. Since the ball has much less bounce, so the ball might be simpler to control.
Why Brazilians use Futsal
I recently learned from a Brazilian coach that soft passes in Brazil are viewed as offensive. Futsal players believe that if you give them a “soft pass” you are telling them that they can’t control a hard pass. I found this to be interesting and probably why Brazil has a culture of really well technically trained futsal and soccer players. Their culture demands that they control the ball at all times, regardless of the pass.
So what size futsal ball should you buy?
Well that depends on your age. This article will give you specifics on all things Futsal ball so keep reading below. But generally speaking, futsal balls come in 3 different sizes, MINI or MICRO, JUNIOR, and SENIOR Futsal balls. Each one is listed below.
SENIOR futsal Balls
Senior futsal balls are the most common and are used for kids 13 and older through adults and the professional ranks.
JUNIOR Futsal balls
Junior Futsal balls are used for kids 12 and under.
Mini futsal Balls
A MINI futsal ball is used for kids under 7 years old.
Futsal Ball and Soccer Ball Size Comparisons:
As you can tell from the two tables, the futsal ball is about 6-8 cm smaller than a regular size #5 soccer ball. There is no question about this and we feel everyone already knows this.
The Futsall ball is about 20 to 60 grams lighter than your average soccer ball. So the person who always says “the futsal ball is heavier” is completely wrong. Your kid could very well be playing with a soccer ball that is about 60 grams heavier than the futsal ball. Even though the futsal ball is stuffed with cotton, foam, or some other material, the materials used to stuff the futsal ball are very light and won’t have much of an impact on the weight of the ball.
Futsal Ball and Soccer ball bounce:
The bounce of a #5 soccer ball is about twice as much as the bounce of a futsal ball. The futsal ball will have less air because its smaller and due to the stuffing inside the ball. For this reason the soccer ball will normally bounce about twice as high on the first bounce as the futsal ball.
Futsal Ball Conclusion
Interestingly, that same property which makes the futsal ball easy to receive makes it more difficult to strike a powerful shot. Since the futsal ball is heavier, players must quickly get acquainted with the qualities of a good technique, which is bending the knee, turning the hips, and striking the ball firmly to drive it.
Many countries and coaches around the world also claim that smaller size futsal ball encourages more precise striking of the ’sweet spot’ of the futsal ball. A player must lock the ankle and strike the ball correctly in order to get a good shot. Players who don’t strike the ball correctly get immediate feedback by seeing the soft shot. 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 11 a side game.
A Futsal ball also assists in gradually eliminating the ’lazy pass’. Constant passes and experience with the futsal ball will eventually assist in translating those techniques outdoors with a soccer ball. This translates into a firmer and longer pass appropriate for the bigger field with grass (synthetic or artificial) which slows it down.
All these factors make the futsal ball the ideal tool for training and developing soccer players. The futsal ball is perfect for kids to use inside the home as a dribbling game. Since the ball has less bounce, the futsall ball will be easier to control on the ground inside the residence. If the futsal ball is kicked or bounces off the wall, it will travel less since it has less bounce.
Baden and Adidas Futsal Balls
The Baden Futsal ball is one of the most durable and well performing futsal balls out there. It has a great leather cover that is durable on gy floors and concrete. It will last even longer on a futsal court. You can usually get this one on Amazon.