# Chapter 5: Equipment & Technology

Futsal · Chapter 5: Equipment & Technology · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/futsal/interesting-facts/chapter-5-equipment-technology/)

The kit and the technology of the modern game: how FIFA tests a futsal ball, a ball covered in peppers, Brazil's ball maker and how video support arrived.

## 5.51 Testing the Ball

How FIFA tests a futsal ball, the 2024 World Cup ball and Brazil's ball maker.

### Test 1: The ball

- A beach soccer ball faces 1,000 shots in the same test. (Source: FIFA, 'FIFA Quality Programme for Footballs (outdoor, futsal and beach soccer): Testing Manual' (October 2022))
- The ball rolls off an inclined surface and the angle it takes across a table is measured. (Source: FIFA, 'FIFA Quality Programme for Footballs (outdoor, futsal and beach soccer): Testing Manual' (October 2022))
- An indoor ball does not get wet, so only outdoor and beach balls are soaked. (Source: FIFA, 'FIFA Quality Programme for Footballs (outdoor, futsal and beach soccer): Testing Manual' (October 2022))
- A maker may ask for another value inside the Laws' range of 0.6 to 0.9 bar. (Source: FIFA, 'FIFA Quality Programme for Footballs (outdoor, futsal and beach soccer): Testing Manual' (October 2022))
- Five shapes formed a ball at its top, the same motif as on the match ball. (Source: FIFA, 'Official Match Ball revealed as excitement builds ahead of FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024' (inside.fifa.com))
- The design was meant to show how fast the game is. (Source: FIFA, 'Official Match Ball revealed as excitement builds ahead of FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024' (inside.fifa.com))
- The deal also covered the referees' kit across 30 competitions; the São Paulo company was founded in 1970. (Source: Máquina do Esporte, 'Penalty é primeira marca a fechar parceria com novo Campeonato Brasileiro de Futsal' (2024); X1 Futsal (2023))
- Sphericity comes after circumference, and loss of pressure is last. (Source: FIFA, 'FIFA Quality Programme for Footballs (outdoor, futsal and beach soccer): Testing Manual' (October 2022))
- Late August, 14 September and 6 October 2024. (Source: FIFA, 'Official Match Ball revealed as excitement builds ahead of FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024' (inside.fifa.com); FIFA (2024))
- The pepper is a staple of Uzbek cooking. (Source: FIFA, 'Official Match Ball revealed as excitement builds ahead of FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024' (inside.fifa.com))

## 5.52 Video on the Court

Video support's arrival at the World Cup and how a review works.

### Test 1: Video support

- It had been tested in other competitions first. (Source: FIFA, 'Video support to debut at FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021' (inside.fifa.com))
- One more is added if extra time is played, and unused challenges are not carried over. (Source: FIFA, 'Video support to debut at FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021' (inside.fifa.com))
- A coach whose challenge succeeds keeps the right to challenge. (Source: FIFA, 'Video support to debut at FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021' (inside.fifa.com))
- The referee also tells both head coaches if needed. (Source: FIFA, 'Video support to debut at FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021' (inside.fifa.com))
- If play had already stopped, it restarts according to the original decision. (Source: FIFA, 'Video support to debut at FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021' (inside.fifa.com))
- The system came back after working well in Lithuania. (Source: FIFA, 'Global game represented by FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024 referee list' (inside.fifa.com))
- They trained online from early 2024 and met for a seminar in Uzbekistan before kick-off. (Source: FIFA, 'Global game represented by FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024 referee list' (inside.fifa.com))
- The referee keeps the final decision throughout. (Source: FIFA, 'Video support to debut at FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021' (inside.fifa.com))
- Before 2021, 2021 and 2024. (Source: FIFA, 'Video support to debut at FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021' (inside.fifa.com); FIFA (2024))
- It is the TV signal, shown before the final decision is given. (Source: FIFA, 'Video support to debut at FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021' (inside.fifa.com))

## 5.53 FIFA's Futsal Analysis Framework

The language FIFA's analysts built in 2021 to describe every second of a futsal game: zones, blocks, presses and set plays.

### Test 1: How futsal is analysed

- Zones 1 and 2 are a team's own half; zones 3 and 4 are the opponents'. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'FIFA Futsal Analysis Framework' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2021))
- Each category is split into 'moments', 22 in all. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'FIFA Futsal Analysis Framework' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2021))
- Both mean two or more players in zones 3 and 4. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'FIFA Futsal Analysis Framework' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2021))
- It is one of eight in-possession moments. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'FIFA Futsal Analysis Framework' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2021))
- Its aim is to win the ball back immediately. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'FIFA Futsal Analysis Framework' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2021))
- FIFA called it the first review of every second of every game in futsal. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'FIFA Futsal Analysis Framework' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2021))
- At least two of them are in or close to zone 1. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'FIFA Futsal Analysis Framework' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2021))
- Six metres, ten metres and the centre mark. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'FIFA Futsal Analysis Framework' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2021))
- Zones 4 and 3, zones 3 and 2, then the team's own half. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'FIFA Futsal Analysis Framework' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2021))
- Build-up is prepared in the team's own half. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'FIFA Futsal Analysis Framework' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2021))

## 5.54 Kick-ins and Counters, 2021

What FIFA's analysts found in Lithuania: 32 goals from kick-ins, code words and tactics boards, and counter-attacks second only to build-up play.

### Test 1: Kick-ins and counter-attacks

- That was just over a tenth of all the goals. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Attacking kick-ins' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022))
- It can be a number, a colour or a name. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Attacking kick-ins' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022))
- Spain's block and show against Angola also paid off. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Attacking kick-ins' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022))
- The RFU caught Argentina out with a quick kick-in of their own. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Attacking kick-ins' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022))
- Build-up play produced 77. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Counter-attack' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2021))
- The RFU scored the fewest, one. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Counter-attack' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2021))
- Futsal allows unlimited rolling substitutions. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Counter-attack' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2021))
- 32, 64 and 77. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Attacking kick-ins' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022); FIFA Training Centre, 'Counter-attack' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2021))
- One, two and seven. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Counter-attack' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2021))
- Almost every kick-in in zone 4 came straight from it. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Attacking kick-ins' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022))

## 5.55 Corners and Set Plays, 2021

947 corners and 29 goals from them: FIFA's study of set plays at Lithuania 2021.

### Test 1: Set plays

- That is about 18 a game. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Corners' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022))
- A success rate of 3.1%. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Corners' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022))
- The lofted ball to the far post was a delivery defences often failed to read. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Corners' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022))
- They had many options and good variation. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Corners' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022))
- Many teams set up their three-man block the same way every time. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Corners' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022))
- Set plays produced 92 of the 301 goals. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Corners' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022))
- Ten-metre free kicks produced two. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Corners' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022))
- 2, 3, 26, 29 and 32. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Corners' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022))
- 3, 29, 92 and 947. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Corners' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022))
- Driven low balls to the near post, hoping for a deflection, were common too. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Corners' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022))

## 5.56 Goalkeepers and the Power Play, 2021

Higuita's 99 trips into the other half, Bebe's broken wall and what the power play cost teams at Lithuania 2021.

### Test 1: Goalkeepers in 2021

- FIFA's analysts called him the complete futsal goalkeeper. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Goalkeeper distribution' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022))
- They led to a shot 48 times. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Goalkeeper distribution' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022))
- He grew in influence as Portugal reached the final. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Goalkeeper distribution' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022))
- He stayed composed under pressure from Brazil too. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Goalkeeper distribution' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022))
- FIFA's analysts praised his shot-stopping and composure. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Goalkeeper distribution' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022))
- They produced 194 shots. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Attacking power play' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022))
- FIFA's analysts named the two together. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Goalkeeper distribution' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022))
- 48, 99, 194 and 219. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Attacking power play' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022); FIFA Training Centre, 'Goalkeeper distribution' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022))
- 4, 6 and 24. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Goalkeeper distribution' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022))
- Their success encouraged them to keep using it. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Attacking power play' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022))

## 5.57 The 2024 Performance Blueprint

FIFA's analysts on Uzbekistan 2024: more low blocks, almost no high blocks, and where the goals came from.

### Test 1: Data from 2024

- They spent no time at all in a high press. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Performance blueprint: FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2025))
- It made up 30.2% of their time out of possession. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Performance blueprint: FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2025))
- The low block (30%) and mid-block (21%) took about half. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Performance blueprint: FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2025))
- Their share rose by 10.3% from 2021. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Performance blueprint: FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2025))
- The exact rise was 20.6%. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Performance blueprint: FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2025))
- Pivot balls averaged 10.5 a match. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Performance blueprint: FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2025))
- They averaged 15 high-block and 12 high-press uses a game. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Group Stage Review' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024))
- 10.5%, 16.6% and 30.9%. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Performance blueprint: FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2025))
- 2.87%, 20.56% and 30.18%. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Performance blueprint: FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2025))
- Spain played only six against New Zealand; the average was about 25 per team per game. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Spain: Patience in possession' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024))

## 5.58 Brazil's Sixth Title Up Close

How Brazil won Uzbekistan 2024: 40 goals, 16 corners in one game, a Golden Glove and a defence built on 'defend our space'.

### Test 1: Brazil in 2024

- It was 12 more than in 2021. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Performance blueprint: FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2025); FIFA Training Centre, 'Marquinhos Xavier on Brazil's FIFA Futsal World Cup triumph' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2025))
- Almost double the first-round average; 11 led to a shot on target. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Brazil: Capitalising from corners' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024))
- Brazil used all three of their goalkeepers. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Marquinhos Xavier on Brazil's FIFA Futsal World Cup triumph' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2025))
- He calls the 2024 title the result of seven years of work. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Marquinhos Xavier on Brazil's FIFA Futsal World Cup triumph' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2025))
- Xavier said the attack shows Brazil's identity and the defence their intentions. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Marquinhos Xavier on Brazil's FIFA Futsal World Cup triumph' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2025))
- Pito and Marcenio were also injured, so Diego and Marlon played as pivots. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Marquinhos Xavier on Brazil's FIFA Futsal World Cup triumph' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2025))
- From 24.15% to 42.79% of their defending time. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Performance blueprint: FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2025))
- 1, 11 and 16. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Brazil: Capitalising from corners' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024))
- 15%, 37.5% and 53.9%. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Performance blueprint: FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2025))
- Brazil played 128 pivot balls in the group stage, the most of any team. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Performance blueprint: FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2025); FIFA Training Centre, 'Group Stage Review' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024))

## 5.59 Argentina Against the Fly Goalkeeper

How Argentina's press took Kazakhstan's fly goalkeeper out of the 2024 quarter-final.

### Test 1: Pressing the power play

- Argentina pressed rather than standing off. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Argentina: Countering the flying goalkeeper with an aggressive press' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024))
- Before the quarter-final they had averaged 26. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Argentina: Countering the flying goalkeeper with an aggressive press' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024))
- A fall of 40% on their average. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Argentina: Countering the flying goalkeeper with an aggressive press' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024))
- His average was the highest of any goalkeeper at the tournament. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Argentina: Countering the flying goalkeeper with an aggressive press' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024))
- Alemany, Claudino and Borruto formed the front of the press. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Argentina: Countering the flying goalkeeper with an aggressive press' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024))
- He had combined with Cristian Borruto before shooting. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Argentina: Countering the flying goalkeeper with an aggressive press' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024))
- One player pressed the ball and two others pressed the passing lines. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Argentina: Countering the flying goalkeeper with an aggressive press' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024))
- 16, 24 and 26. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Argentina: Countering the flying goalkeeper with an aggressive press' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024))
- 28, 29 and 39. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Argentina: Countering the flying goalkeeper with an aggressive press' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024); FIFA Training Centre, 'Group Stage Review' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024))
- The defender covered the pass into the pivot. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Argentina: Countering the flying goalkeeper with an aggressive press' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024))

## 5.60 The 2024 Group Stage in Numbers

The group stage at Uzbekistan 2024 in figures: Spain's passing, Costa Rica's long balls, a 30-powerplay game and a 55-goal group.

### Test 1: Group-stage data

- Their players kept the ball after receiving it 737 times, a tournament high. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Spain: Patience in possession' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024))
- They still went through as a third-placed team. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Group Stage Review' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024))
- Both teams used them at the same time. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Group Stage Review' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024))
- It held Iran, France, Venezuela and Guatemala. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Group Stage Review' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024))
- Iran won Group F with nine points. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Group Stage Review' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024))
- Paraguay were second with 20. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Group Stage Review' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024))
- It was 1-1 at half-time; Catela then scored a hat-trick. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Spain: Patience in possession' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024))
- 6, 25 and 41.7. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Spain: Patience in possession' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024); FIFA Training Centre, 'Group Stage Review' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024))
- 681, 698 and 737. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Spain: Patience in possession' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024); FIFA Training Centre, 'Group Stage Review' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024))
- Thailand's pivot Muhammad Osamanmusa was a constant threat on the break. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Group Stage Review' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024))

Sources: Primary/official sources only, no Wikipedia citations: FIFA (the Quality Programme testing manual, tournament media releases), Máquina do Esporte, X1 Futsal. The ball's size, weight and bounce, the challengeable incidents and who may challenge are in the Laws and Knowledge Testing and left out on purpose.

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