Futsal

Development
Plan
2004

Presented to the BCSA

Board of Directors

Charlie Cuzzetto October 2004

Table of Contents

Executive Summary 3

Keys to Success 4

Futsal Coaching Philosophy 4

Objectives 5

Target Market 6

Futsal – The Game 7

Canadian Soccer Association 7

International Governing Structure 8

Rules of the Game 8

How to Play Futsal 9

Futsal Court (diagram) 10

Futsal Technical Program Development 11

Competition 11

Private Sector 12

Financial Plan 13

Development Fees 13

Proposed Budget 13

Promotion Strategy 15

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Futsal Development Plan utilized by the Futsal Committee endeavours to

foster the development of Futsal via districts leagues and clubs in BC.

The mandate of Futsal is to cultivate districts, leagues and clubs to provide

quality instruction and facilitate the development of each individual to their full
potential in the skills of Futsal.

Our keys to success and critical factors for the next year are:

• To increase awareness level of Futsal in the general public and the districts,
leagues, clubs, and their members.

• To develop partnerships and develop the game of Futsal

In identifying the need for developing Futsal in BC the committee evaluated and
researched the need for advocating Futsal primarily as a skill development tool
for players of all ages. This futsal experience has been recognized by the FIFA
technical committees as enhancing these transferable skills for players of the
outdoor game of soccer.

The Futsal Committee believes that the market potential of Futsal in BC will be
strong when it is properly introduced within the BCSA structure based on the
demonstrated need of the caregivers of the youth market to assist them in their
development of skill sets.

In addition to being a value- added benefit to coaches and others, this FIFA
sanction sport has proven its marketability in the growth of the many forms of
indoor soccer promoted by the private sector that are outside the CSA or BCSA
structure.

This skill development is applicable to both elite and recreational players of all
ages and both genders.

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KEYS TO SUCCESS

Futsal is very popular around the world as a stand alone sport. In Canada,
however futsal is still in the developmental stage even though the game has
been played in numerous areas of the country since 1982. Soccer is also very
popular in Canada at the amateur and recreational level. There is a greater push
to develop the game ( soccer) through youth development to make the National
teams stronger in the future. In addition these players would also likely be
interested in the indoor game.

• Many current outdoor soccer players seek to improve skills or play another
form of soccer
• Inclement winter climate means many areas are not able to enjoy outdoor
sports
• High immigrant population that come from soccer rich nations that may be
familiar with futsal
• Outdoor soccer faces the challenge of lack of outdoor fields, giving an
opportunity for the growth of Futsal which is played indoors using existing
gymnasium facilities

The Futsal Committee’s vision is to have potential players view Futsal as having
high quality, superior instruction that offers far better skill development benefits
compared to all other forms of indoor soccer and that Futsal skills are
transferable to the outdoor game.

The game of Futsal is internationally recognized and should be perceived by the

players as a good way to have fun while sharpening their skills. Futsal is a game
that can be played by both genders of all ages and abilities at any time of year.

Futsal Coaching Philosophy

Ideally, the development of a soccer player starts at a young age. The key to
developing young talent is the coach’s patience, emotional energy, and
awareness of the techniques of both personal and skill development in players of
all ages and abilities.

The initial or primary goal of coaching consists of instruction in futsal’s basic

physical skills such as trapping, passing, shooting, dribbling, offensive and
defensive strategies. The larger goal is to enhance self-esteem, further develop
individual skills, establish chemistry within the team and prepare them for setting
long-term goals.

Futsal skills learned at an early age in a controlled safe environment are

transferable to the skills required for success in the outdoor game.

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GOALS/OBJECTIVES

The Futsal Committee’s main Goal is to communicate to the districts, leagues

and clubs that Futsal provide assistance to their individual skill development.

• To organise, develop and promote the sport of Futsal (five-a-side indoor

soccer).

• To maximise the playing skills and opportunities for advanced players and
teams. Provided by Futsal with a spirit of fair play.

• To expand awareness of the sport regionally/ provincially.

• To provide information that the skills learned in Futsal are transferrable to the
outdoor game.

• To provide the districts, clubs and leagues an opportunity to participate in

Futsal Provincial Championships for all ages.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

• Organise a provincial championship for U-12 boys and girls in 2005; U 13

boys and girls in 2006; U 14 boys and girls in 2007.

• Organise open mens and womens provincial club championship for 2005.

• Meet the objective of the CSA Futsal committee goal of a U-14 National
championship in 2007

• To provide technical support for coaches/referees within each district/ league.

• To provide for advanced Futsal players and teams opportunities for National
and International competitions.

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TARGET MARKET

When identifying target markets, it is important to understand that most of the

potential Futsal players are already outdoor soccer players. They have an
appreciation of the game and would be open try soccer of a different type for
various reasons.

Youth Players
Youth will be Futsal’s primary target market. Currently there are approximately
101, 000 youth registered with the BCSA playing soccer with the primary growth
being in girls. Youth participation will include players ranging from 5 to 11 years
old in Futsal skill development house leagues and 12 to 17 years old in district
and inter districts competitions.

This age range is essential to the success of Futsal, as these will be the people
who will play the game in years to come. Children are often introduced to and try
many different kinds of sports to see what interests them. A major reason this
age group will be important to Futsal is that younger people begin to develop
preferences, skill sets, attitudes and opinions during their early years. The key is
that they have fun doing whatever they are participating in and that they enjoy
the game of futsal, whether they are boys or girls.

The parents of younger children make many choices as to what sports they will
participate in. AS children reach the ages of 11 or 12, they begin to form opinion
of what they would like to participate in and what really interests them. Reaching
both groups through their current involvement in soccer is an ideal entry point,
with skill development concerns increasing with older children/youth.

Futsal is also excellent with children with physical and mental disabilities.

Senior Players
There are approximately 35,000 adult soccer players registered in the province.
Futsal will provide women’s and men’s leagues an opportunity to participate at
either a recreational or competitive level. Organising a provincial club
championship will generate interest from clubs and leagues and showcase elite
players who may wish to participate at the national and international level
through the CSA’s future planned competitions for Futsal. Futsal currently has a
world championship for men and numerous women’s competitions around the
world that are sanctioned by FIFA and other soccer federations/associations.

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FUTSAL – THE GAME – SUMMARY

Futsal was first played in 1930 and Roger Grain defined the modern standard set
of rules in Montevideo, Uruguay in 1932. The game’s essential elements consist
of five players a side on a basketball size court with a variety of surfaces using a
no-bounce ball. The no-bounce ball requires players to control the ball using skill
rather than the bounce of the ball. Originally, balls were made with a horse hair
or cork interior and leather casing. The current official ball contains a rubber
bladder, foam and leather casing and is a size 4 to comply with FIFA’s
international standard.

The game is a great developer of such skills as:

• Stop and go
• Ball control
• Dribbling
• Shooting skill and power
• Strategy
• Team play
• Endurance
• Focus(concentration)

In Latin America and many countries in Europe, Futsal is second only to soccer
as the most played sport. There are approximately 25 million players worldwide
and over 250,000 registered players in Brazil alone. Named for the Spanish
futbolito and the Portuguese salao, combining to mean soccer played indoors,
FUTSAL has honed the skills of numerous international stars including Pele,
Zico, Socretes, Maradona and Ronoldo.

Canadian Soccer Association

In 1997 Futsal Canada (founded in 1982) became an associate member of the

CSA and signed a 27 point agreement to promote and develop futsal through the
various provincial association/ federation. An agreement was reached in 2003
that the CSA would take over and the leadership role to grow and develop the
game with the establishment of a national futsal committee.

This committee is chaired by the competitions committee chair Angus Barrett and
is comprised of 3 members from Futsal Canada and the president’s of the
Alberta, B.C, Ontario, and Quebec soccer associations/federation.
The CSA’s Futsal committee set numerous goals and objectives which were
accepted by the CSA’s Board of Directors and include.

1) That the technical committee prepare a coaching and referee program for
futsal taking advantage of the existing expertise.

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 2) That Provincial Territorial associations/ federation hold club provincial
championships at the U -12 level no later than 2005 and U14 level no later
than 2007.
3) That the National Futsal Coach (Ross Ongaro) be the liaison with the CSA
technical committee on all matters related to Futsal.
4) That a person be identified to be the liaison to the CSA referee committee
on all Futsal refereeing matters.
5) That a National club championship take place in 2007 for U- 14 boys and
girls

INTERNATIONAL GOVERNING STRUCTURE

The first international competition, in 1965 saw Paraguay win the South
American Cup; six more followed until 1979. The first FIFUSA (Federation
International de Futbol de Salao) World Cup was held in 1982 in Sao Paulo, with
Brazil capturing the title. In 1985, at the second World Cup in Spain, Brazil
repeated as champions, but was dethroned by Paraguay in 1988 in Australia.

In 1987, the Federation Internationale De Football Association (FIFA) adopted

FUTSAL, with its inaugural World Cup, held in 1989 in Holland, captured by
Brazil. In that same year, a committee was formed for the integration of FIFUSA
into FIFA.

It was established that at the international level that futsal would be governed by
a permanent committee of FIFA, pursuant to Article 27 of the bylaws of FIFA.

RULES OF THE GAME

The outdoor game of soccer and futsal come from the same roots. The ball
being used is spherical and scoring a goal is done by placing the ball over the
goal-line, between the goal-posts and under the cross-bar, provided it has not
been thrown, carried or internationally propelled by hand or arm, by a player of
the attacking side.

The major differences between outdoor soccer and futsal indoor soccer are:

• Futsal uses a ball with a reduced bounce

• FUTSAL has 5 players as opposed to outdoor soccer which fields 11 players
including goalies
• FUTSAL has kick-ins rather than throw-ins to restart play
• No offside rule in FUTSAL
• Halves are 20 minutes in FUTSAL as opposed to outdoor soccer with 45
minute halves

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• Playing surface can be different
• The only form of indoor soccer that is international and recognized by FIFA as
a great skill developer is futsal
• Unlimited subs for Futsal; with flying subs allowed.
• In general, futsal is a high speed high endurance and high scoring game.

How to Play
All you need to play the game officially is a basketball court, two indoor goals and
the correct ball. If you don't have that you can use any surface, a couple of
jackets and any ball. Walls and artificial surfaces are not necessary.

The official Futsal goals have a width of 10 feet and height of seven feet, but any
indoor goals would suffice. A set of cones at either end can work well at the
beginning.
Each goal is fronted by a 13-foot penalty area. You can use tape or chalk to mark
it in. There is no need for further marking, since the existing side and end lines
and centre circle of basketball courts are used.

There is no need to push seats back to create walls. Spectators can sit, watch
and cheer the same as they would in basketball. Parents comfort and coaches
who have been used to standing outdoors would enjoy the convenience of
seating and warmth.

SOCCER RULES FUTSAL RULES

#5 Ball # 4 Ball—30% less bounce
11 Players 5 Players
3 Substitutions Unlimited “Flying” Sub (12 Players on
Team)
Throw-in Kick-in
Running clock Stopped clock
45 minutes halves 20 minute halves
No Time-outs 1 Time-out per half
Some contact No shoulder charges or sliding tackles
Second rule on restarts
Offside Rule No Offside Rule
Goal nets 2.44 m.(8 ft) by 7.23 m. (8 Goals 3 by 5 meters
yrds)
Goalkeeper limited to 6 seconds No Restrictions, but limited to 4
seconds
Unlimited fouling yellow and red cards 5 Foul Limit for team in each half - No
give for serious infractions wall is allowed after the 5th Foul and a
direct free kick is taken (yellow and red
cards given for serious infractions)
GK cannot touch by hand a ball kicked GK cannot touch by hand any ball
back played back
No sub for player sent off Player sent off can be replaced after 2

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 minutes or after a goal has been
scored
Corner kick placed in arch Corner kick placed on corner

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FUTSAL TECHNICAL PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

The key to the success of communicating the benefits of Futsal in BC will be to

develop a technical program that has the ease of implementation “plug and play”.
Implementation The focus of the technical program will be to use the most
fundamental elements of Futsal.

• Technical ability: receiving, dribbling, distribution, finishing

• Tactical ability: decisions, defending, positioning, attacking

• Mental ability: attitude, composure, determination, concentration

• Physical ability: strength, agility, speed, balance

The key will be in communication and disseminating this information on how

Futsal can develop into a sport under the BCSA. Success will require the districts
as part of the development program for initiating younger players to play futsal
during the winter months in a controlled climate. Soccer players can improve
their skills if they play and train indoors when the outdoor season has concluded
or taken a break.

TARGET MARKETING BY THE COMPETITION

Indoor Soccer

Various other forms of indoor soccer are played in areas was futsal is not well
known. There are many leagues that do not play under the Futsal set of rules
and some are well entrenched, providing a form of recreation that there is
obviously a market for. This factor is largely due to a lack of development of
futsal with registered outdoor soccer players as well as player interest in playing
some other form of soccer in addition to outdoor, especially in the off-season.
These unsanctioned leagues offer indoor soccer in any of these forms, using a
variety of types and sizes of balls.

• Gymnasium
• Arena with boards
• Mini field, somewhat like the outdoor game
• Futsal can be played in a gym, arena, or field

The gymnasium and arena with board’s forms of indoor soccer have numerous
sets of rules, which may vary within a province. Mini field has its own form that
varies from province to province. Futsal is the only one with a universally
accepted set of principles and is affiliated with FIFA, the CSA and BCSA.

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Private Sector

The private sector has taken the lead role for the development of futsal through
renovating and building indoor facilities to accommodate this form of indoor
soccer. Leagues, tournaments and rental of space for causal and recreational
use have been on a fee for service basses and not on the development of the
sport. The BCSA has a real opportunity to take the initiate and truly use their
influence to develop futsal as an added value sport for development of both the
elite and recreational player.

Outdoor Soccer

Outdoor soccer is a game that can and should be seen as complementary to

FUTSAL. Many players who play FUTSAL are outdoor soccer players who are
either looking for a new challenge or are keeping in shape and sharpening their
skills for the outdoor season. As futsal is a very skilful game. Players find that
the skill to move and control the ball is often similar except for the bounce of the
ball and smaller playing surface.

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Financial Plan

Develop a detailed financial plan, including registration fee structure and

corporate and individual partnerships to adequetably sustain Futsal in BC. The
endeavour is to have Futsal potentially be self-sustaining using the existing
membership in the province of BC.

The following is a suggested outline of the financial model, which could be used
to generate funding for the promotion and development of Futsal throughout the
province. With the increased pressure from fiscal responsibility on all levels of
governments and the reduction in funding available from them, it is imperative
that alternative and creative funding mechanisms are used.

Generating revenue to promote the sport of Futsal shall be done under the
following methods:
• Registration/affiliation fees
• Corporate sponsorships/partnerships
• Government athletic funding
• Coaching/referee clinic enrolment

Development Fees:

A model similar to that, which exists for outdoor soccer, is recommended to

collect registration and affiliation fees from Futsal players, leagues and districts.
Futsal should be considered as a developmental program, with the fee structure
reflecting this. Rather than duplicate the infrastructure which exists to bill and
that collect these fees, it would be preferable to utilize the existing processes with
the provincial soccer association have in place and provide them a fee for this
service.

All players must first have been registered as an outdoor player with the BCSA. A
supplementary Futsal development fee of $7.00 per player to play Futsal will be
assessed.

Proposed Budget

Projected income:
Player fees 1000 players @ $7.00 per player $7000.00

Provincial championship fees $4000.00

Grant sponsorship $2000.00

Total projected income $13,000.00

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Projected expenditures:
Purchase of technical package from Brazil $5000.00

Provincial championship $2500.00

Hosting 4 introduction to Futsal clinics (Prince George, $4000.00

Okanogan, Vancouver Island and the lower mainland

Promotional brochures $1000.00

Total projected expenditures $12,500.00

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PROMOTION STRATEGY

The focus of the communication plan will be to create workshops that have a
strong technical package. This package will be used as an educational tool to
develop the skills of coaches, players and referees.

Telemarketing campaign
District, club and league contacted to arrange a time to present a workshop that
would develop the skills of Futsal in their area Prince George, Okanogan,
Vancouver Island and lower mainland.

Workshops
Create a workshop strategy that will present the benefits of Futsal and have all
participants leave with a “plug and play” version of Futsal

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