A futsal ball is smaller and heavier than a regular football ball, designed for use on an indoor court with specific dimensions.
Similarly a beach soccer ball is designed for sandy surfaces, with a more durable and water-resistant construction compared to a regular football ball. It’s typically used in smaller, beach-specific pitches.
4 main Differences between different Footballs:
Football used in normal football (soccer), futsal, and beach football differs in several ways, including the size and weight of the ball, the playing surface, and sometimes the rules. Here are the main differences:
- Ball Size and Weight:
- Normal Football (Soccer): The standard soccer ball used in outdoor football is size 5. It has a circumference of approximately 27-28 inches (68-70 cm) and a weight of around 14-16 ounces (410-450 grams).
- Futsal: Futsal uses a smaller and heavier ball compared to regular soccer. The standard futsal ball is size 4, with a circumference of about 24-25 inches (62-64 cm) and a weight of 12-14 ounces (350-400 grams). The smaller size allows for better control on hard indoor surfaces.
- Beach Football: Beach football typically uses a special beach soccer ball, which is also size 5 but is designed to be more water-resistant and durable to withstand the sandy playing surface. It may be slightly lighter than a regular soccer ball.
- Playing Surface:
- Normal Football (Soccer): Outdoor soccer is played on natural or artificial grass fields, which can vary in size but generally follow standardized dimensions.
- Futsal: Futsal is played on a hard indoor court with specific dimensions, often a smooth, wooden or synthetic surface. The smaller playing area encourages close ball control and quick passes.
- Beach Football: Beach football is played on sandy beaches, and the playing surface is uneven compared to regular fields. The dimensions of the playing area may vary, but it’s generally smaller than a standard soccer field.
- Rules:
- While many of the fundamental rules of football (e.g., offside, fouls) apply across all formats, there may be variations in rules specific to each format. For example, in beach football, there may be rules to account for the sandy surface and fewer players on each team.
- Futsal also has its own set of rules, including rules related to the use of walls, the number of substitutions allowed, and the ball’s behavior on the hard court surface.
- Footwear:
- Players typically wear cleats or football boots in regular soccer, designed for use on grass.
- In futsal, players often wear indoor soccer shoes with non-marking soles suitable for the hard court.
- Beach football may involve playing barefoot or wearing specific beach soccer shoes designed to provide traction on sand.
