Architectural Design of Talagening Sports Center Building in Bobotsari, Purbalingga

The FA recognises that facilities can act as a limitation and barrier to playing Futsal across England. However at the recreational level of the game The FA believes that with a little bit of creativity and flexibility facilities should not pose too significant an obstacle for recreational and social participation in Futsal.

This guide will demonstrate various flexible options that could be applied to a facility to enable introductory and recreational Futsal to be played. Although The FA encourages teams and participants to seek to play Futsal on a proper full-size indoor Futsal pitch that has the appropriate markings wherever possible, The FA does realise that this will not always be possible and that in the current stage of developing the game of Futsal in England that a degree of flexibility needs to be considered with regards to facility usage.

Try not to allow facilities to act as the barrier that prevents you from playing. Consider what facilities that you can gain access to (e.g. schools, colleges, universities, leisure centres) and how you can make small adaptations to them in order to play the game – just make sure it is safe. The closer you can get to a facility that meets the requirements for Futsal the more likely your players will be in gaining a better understanding of the game and benefiting from the advantages Futsal offers young players in terms of technical development.

it should be noted that this document is only a guide and it is the responsibility of the individual to ensure that the facility that they are using is a safe environment for playing Futsal.

Pitch Sizes

The FA recommends the following pitch sizes for the varying levels of Futsal participation:

Futsal Participation type	Minimum length	Minimum Width
Recreational & Social Futsal	25m	15m
FA National Futsal League	31m	16m
International Futsal	38m	18m
Maximum Sized Pitch	42m	25m

In-addition The FA recommends that there should be a 2m run-off around the perimeter of the pitch. A fully sized marked Futsal pitch should conform to the following diagram:

Floor Surface

Ideally Futsal should be played indoors on a wooden or synthetic surface. However, at the recreational level, where indoor facilities are not available or accessible, the game can be played outdoors on a flat hard surface. The game should not be played on grass, but as a last resort can be played on artificial grass – but this will slow the game down. Frequently in warmer climates abroad you will commonly notice Futsal markings on school playgrounds.

Adapting Existing Facilities for Futsal

In many cases, such as in schools and local authority sports centres, Futsal will be one of many sports that are played at the facility. Outlined in this section are suggestions and guidance on how to potentially integrate a Futsal court into existing markings that are on the court for other sports. 

The FA recognises that some of these recommendations do not fully adhere to FIFAs Futsal Laws of the Game,but are only intended for informal and social Futsal to assist the games growth and development by maximising available facilities.

1. Futsal & Basketball

Basketball court line markings with recreational Futsal pitch overlay

The diagram above shows that a basketball court can be adapted to accommodate a recreational Futsal pitch. For Futsal, it would be necessary to add the line markings for the half-way line (1), centre circle (2) and corner arcs (3).

Basketball court line markings adapted for Informal Futsal 

Basketball courts can also be used for informal Futsal with minimal changes. For example, the diagram above illustrates that the three-point line on a basketball court could be used as an improvised (and slightly larger) Futsal penalty area (4). 

Other Futsal requirements that would need to be added to the basketball court are the penalty marks (5), centre spot (6) and substitute marks (7).

2. Futsal & netball

To overlay a recreational Futsal pitch on a netball court, it would be necessary to mark the lines highlighted in the diagram below for the half-way line (1), centre circle (2) and corner arcs (3).

Netball court line markings with recreational Futsal pitch overlay

Netball court line markings adapted for Informal Futsal

Netball courts can also be used for informal Futsal with minimal changes as demonstrated by the diagram above. The netball goal circle (4) can be used as a Futsal penalty area for informal play with the addition of penalty marks (5), centre spot (6) and substitute marks (7).

3. Futsal & Handball

Handball court line markings with competitive Futsal Pitch-Overlay

A handball court can easily be adapted to an FA National Futsal League or international size Futsal pitch. The diagram above illustrates that the only additional line markings required are the penalty marks (1), centre spot (2), centre circle (3), corner arcs (4) and substitute zones (5).

Project Information

Location  : Talagening Village, Bobotsari, Purbalingga, Indonesia

Architect : Alfi Akbar K., S.Ars