Futsal is the FIFA- and NZ Football–approved form of five-a-side (5 v 5) indoor football. It’s played with a smaller, low-bounce ballon a hard court—typically netball-sized—and without rebound walls or boards.

Each team fields five players on court at a time—four outfield players and one goalkeeper

No rebound walls: The ball goes out-of-play on the touchline or goal line and is restarted with a kick-in or goal clearance. 

Smaller, heavier ball: Designed to stay on the ground and allow tighter ball control. 

Court size: Generally a fixed hard surface roughly the size of a netball or basketball court.

More formal ruleset: Standardised by NZ Football and FIFA, with differences in restarts, fouls, and substitutions compared to more casual small-sided formats.

A low-bounce futsal ball (often size 3 or 4, depending on age group)

Flat-soled shoes (no raised studs)—ideal for indoor hard courts

Optional protective gear: shin guards, elbow or knee guards, padded goalkeeper pants.

Goalkeepers may use gloves, though they’re less common in futsal than in outdoor football.

Yes. Rolling (‘flying’) substitutions are allowed at any time, including while the ball is in play, as long as they are made through the designated substitution zone

No .Futsal has no offside rule, which encourages fluid movement and dynamic attacking play.

It’s officially sanctioned by NZ Football and follows FIFA rules.

The game is fun, fast, and skill-focused, with strong emphasis on creativity, ball control, and quick decision-making. 

It’s accessible indoors, making it ideal for regions or facilities where outdoor fields are limited.