Many people might be confused by futsal terminology because it contains so many foreign words, don’t you think?
This page is a futsal glossary aimed at those who have recently started playing futsal or who want to master the terminology.
We hope it proves useful as training material for newcomers.
- Words Beginning with A
- Words Beginning with Ka
- Words Beginning with Sa
- Words Beginning with Ta
- Words Beginning with Ni
- Words Beginning with Ha
- Words Beginning with Hi
- Words Beginning with Fu
- Words Beginning with He
- Words Beginning with Ho
- Words Beginning with Ma
- Words Beginning with Ya
- Words Beginning with Ra
- Words Beginning with Wa
- In Conclusion
Words Beginning with A
A
Isolation
It means “isolation.”
Aclarado
An action to create space in order to isolate a player (isolation).
Attacking Third
The zone on the opponent’s side when the court is divided horizontally into three sections.
Ala-Ala
A pass course from ala to ala.
Ala Corta
A movement toward the ball.
I
Epsilon (Υ)
A defender who tends to guard in a Y-shaped zone formation.
U
Un Dois
It is equivalent to a one-two.
In Portuguese, “un” means one and “dois” means two.
E
Entrelinhas
The area between the defensive lines, also known as the space between the lines.
Eight
A rotation that moves in a figure-eight pattern.
L
A group tactic involving a threesome that starts from an L-shaped formation of pivo, ala, and fixo.
O
Alternative DF
It means “selective.”
In competitive futsal, alternative DF—where defenders selectively use man-to-man and zone defenses constructed with multiple lines—is becoming mainstream.
Overload
Words Beginning with Ka
Ka
Cut-in
An action where a player cuts in from the side toward the center.
Indirect Block
Blocking a non-ball possessor.
Indirect Curtain
Crossing between a non-ball possessor and their marker (curtain).
Ki
Kick-in
A set-piece executed when the ball crosses the touchline.
The restart is taken with the ball belonging to the team that did not touch the ball last.
Kick-off
Guillotine
A kick feint.
Ku
Clearance
A set-piece executed when the opposing team, having touched the ball last, crosses their own goal line.
Restarted with a throw from the goal area.
Quatro
A 4-0 formation in positional attack.
Ke
Quebrar(kevra)
A movement to break away – an off-the-ball individual tactic to shake off an opponent’s marker.
Ko
Goleiro
The futsal goalkeeper.
Contrapie
It has the same meaning as Tonpa.
Control Oriented
A play where the ball is directed with the first touch.
Words Beginning with Sa
Sa
Sai
It means “move aside.” It refers to a series of tactics in which the ala vacates their position to create a passing lane from fixo to pivo.
Side Lane
The side lane when the pitch is divided vertically into three sections.
Sasu
A pass aimed at the pivo.
This term originates from soccer, where delivering a pass into the gap is referred to as “sasu.”
Shi
Diagonal
A diagonal movement.
- English: Diagonal
- Portuguese: ジアゴナール、ジャゴナウ、ジャグナウ
- Spanish: Diagonal
Jump
To abandon your assigned marker and press the ball holder.
Jogata
A set play.
In futsal set plays, it is common for teams to execute pre-designed plays.
Sinbaron
A movement in which an off-the-ball player creates space for their teammates.
Su
Screen
It means the same as a block.
Se
Segundo
It means “second” in Portuguese.
It is also used to refer to a “reserve” or “second team.”
Self Tonpa
An individual tactic where a player carries the ball inward by themselves, luring the opponent to bite, then makes a vertical breakthrough.
Rotation
A rotation in which a certain number of players turn in a specific direction.
It is synonymous with hedondo.
Center Lane
The central lane when the pitch is divided vertically into three sections.
Words Beginning with Ta
Ta
2nd PK
A penalty awarded to the opposing team when a team commits six fouls in one period (first half or second half).
The team can choose between a penalty kick taken from the 2nd PK line (a mark 10m away from the goal) or a free kick from the location where the foul occurred.
Timeout
A one-minute break. Each team can take one timeout per half.
Chi
Chon-Don
A set play where, during an opponent’s kick-in, the kicker initiates the restart with a “Chon” and the shooter follows with a “Don” to take a shot.
Since a direct goal is not allowed from an opponent’s kick-in, this well-known jogata is widely used.
Te
Positional Attack
An organized attack.
It refers to a 4 vs 4 attack that involves evasive movements.
Positional Defence
An organized defense.
It refers to a 4 vs 4 defense, such as front pressing or half defense.
Defending Third
The zone on your own side when the court is divided horizontally into three sections.
Retreat
When the defensive organization is collapsing, a defender retreats back to the ball line.
De-mark
A movement to break away from an opponent’s marking.
Temporize
Creating time to delay the opponent or to wait for a teammate’s run.
To
Transition
The shift between offense and defense; the phase between positional attack and positional defence.
Contrapie
An individual tactic in which the player touches the ball with a “ton” and leaves the opponent behind with a “pa.” It has the same meaning as contrapie.
Words Beginning with Ni
Ni
False Pivo
A pivo who drifts to the side to create space on the opposite side, or falls back into the second line.
The term is derived from the false nine in soccer.
Words Beginning with Ha
Ha
Ba
A play in which the fixo dribbles toward the ala, causing the ala to run behind (or out of position) and break down the defense.
Backdoor
Any play that involves taking position behind the opponent.
Back Cut
To move around from behind the opponent and either cross or break through the defensive line.
Backdoor Cut
To move around the opponent’s back and receive the ball in the middle.
Locally, this tactic is called Puerta Atlas.
Parallera
It means “parallel” in Portuguese and refers to a play where a player runs parallel to the touchline.
Power Play
A tactic in which the goleiro joins the attack as a fifth field player (FP).
Half
A defense that retreats back to one’s own half.
Words Beginning with Hi
Pisada
A pass delivered with the sole of the foot, playing behind the defender.
Pick & Roll
It means the same as block and continue.
Words Beginning with Fu
Finta
A fake movement.
Pull-Push
An individual tactic where a player pulls the ball and then pushes it out.
It was famously demonstrated by Seiji Ishikane, which brought him instant fame.
Float
In a defense structured with multiple lines, the action where the second line player narrows the space to cover.
Front Cut
A play where a player goes through in front of the opponent to either cross or break through the defensive line.
Words Beginning with He
Hedondo
A rotation in which a certain number of players turn in a specific direction.
It is also called a rotation.
Words Beginning with Ho
Volante
A duo relationship created when the player in the same lane as the ball holder drops back.
Words Beginning with Ma
Ma
Mixed DF
A defense that combines man-to-man and zone defense.
Middle Third
The middle zone when the court is divided horizontally into three sections.
Words Beginning with Ya
Words Beginning with Ra
Ra
Line Cut
A movement that goes across the opponent’s defensive line.
Ri
Limpia
It has the same meaning as “Sai.”
Derived from the Spanish word meaning “to clean,” it is more commonly used than “Sai” locally.
Ro
Rondo
A cage.
Words Beginning with Wa
Wa
One-Two
In Conclusion
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