Indoor soccer

Indoor soccer

2013 match between the Dallas Sidekicks and Texas Strikers at Allen Event Center
Highest governing body	World Minifootball Federation
Nicknames	Indoor football
Characteristics
Contact	Yes
Team members	5–7 per side (including goalkeeper)
Type	team sport, ball sport
Equipment	Football
Venue	Indoor soccer field
Presence
Olympic	No

Indoor soccer or arena soccer (known internationally as indoor football, or fast football) is a five-a-side or six-a-side version of minifootball, derived from association football and adapted to be played in walled hardcourt indoor arena. Indoor soccer, as it is most often known in the United States and Canada, was originally developed in these two countries as a way to play soccer during the winter months, when snow would make outdoor play difficult. In those countries, gymnasiums are adapted for indoor soccer play. In other countries the game is played in either indoor or outdoor arenas surrounded by walls, and is referred to by different names (such as "fast football" (futbol rapido) in Mexico, Futebol Society or showbol in Brazil,^[1] and "indoor football" (futbol indoor) in Spain).

Indoor soccer has different regulations from other versions of association football designed for indoor play, such as futsal and five-a-side football. Unlike futsal, which is played on wooden or ceramic surfaces, indoor soccer is played on synthetic turf (or, in the case of the British Masters Football variety, synthetic carpet).^[2] Indoor soccer courts are either delimited by walls or lines, and there are no player throw-ins.

FIFA, the international body that oversees international association football competitions, does not sanction the synthetic turf version of indoor soccer, having developed its own code of indoor football (which they refer to as futsal).

Indoor soccer is most popular in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with several amateur, collegiate and professional leagues functioning. While internationally less popular than futsal, indoor soccer is also played at the league level in many countries outside North America. The World Minifootball Federation (WMF) is the governing body of indoor soccer at the international level, having replaced the International Fast Football Federation (FIFRA).

The term minifootball, which was originally coined in Europe, has been adopted by the WMF as a standard international name for the sport.