The Complete Futsal Glossary
Published: 2021.09.08Updated: 2026.05.03
"I do not know what the coach means during training." "Pivo pass? Ala corta? There are too many foreign terms." If that sounds familiar, this glossary is for you.
Futsal uses a lot of terminology derived from Portuguese and Spanish, so when you are just starting out, the language barrier can feel overwhelming. This article is a permanent reference guide that lists the full set of terms in alphabetical order and by Japanese syllabary.
A good place to start is with just the 10 most commonly used terms. More detailed explanations for each term are linked in their dedicated articles. Feel free to use this as training material for new players on your team as well.
The wide position in futsal. This player occupies one side of the diamond and is expected to contribute on both attack and defence.
関連記事
What Are the Positions in Futsal? Explaining the Roles of the Pivo, Ala, Fixo, and Goleiro
A beginner-friendly guide to futsal positions. This article clearly explains the four roles of pivo,…
続きを読む →
Literally means "isolation."
関連記事
Futsal Tactics: Overload and Isolation
An explanation of two key futsal concepts: overload and isolation. This article clarifies the differ…
続きを読む →An action that clears space in order to isolate a player.
The zone on the opponent's side when the court is divided horizontally into three parts.
関連記事
Types and Methods of Vertical Court Division: Strong Side and Weak Side
An explanation of the main ways to divide a futsal court vertically, including 3-lane and 4-lane str…
続きを読む →The passing lane from one ala to the other.
Movement toward the ball.
A zone-oriented defensive shape that forms a Y.
関連記事
High Pressing: The Defensive Triangle (Epsilon / Y-Shaped Zone Defence)
An explanation of the Y-shaped (epsilon) zone defence used in futsal high pressing. This article bre…
続きを読む →
The same as a one-two.
In Portuguese, one is "um" and two is "dois."
関連記事
Parallel in Futsal: 3 Key Points and 4 Types of Runs
A complete breakdown of the basic two-player futsal action called parallel, using three key principl…
続きを読む →An individual skill move where you touch the ball with the inside of the foot and then instantly flick it to the outside. A feint used to beat an opponent with a sharp change of direction.
関連記事
What Is a Kick Feint (Guillotine) in Futsal? When to Use It and How to Make It Work
A thorough explanation of the kick feint, one of futsal's most effective individual moves. Learn the…
続きを読む →
The space between defensive lines. Also called the space between the lines.
関連記事
How to Use the Space Between the Lines to Break Down Zone Defence
A guide to using the space between defensive lines in futsal to attack zone defence. This article ex…
続きを読む →
A rotation in which players keep circling in a figure-eight pattern.
関連記事
3-1 in Depth: Rotations and Formation Changes
A detailed breakdown of futsal's most common positional attack shape, the 3-1. This article explains…
続きを読む →
A three-player group tactic that starts from an L-shaped setup involving the pivo, ala, and fixo.
関連記事
Most Players Miss the Point: A Complete Breakdown of the L Pattern, Pivot Passes, and the Third-Man Run
A complete breakdown of the basic futsal pattern known as the L, built around the pivot pass and the…
続きを読む →Literally means "selective."
In competitive futsal, alternative defence, which selectively switches between man-to-man and a zone-oriented defence with multiple lines, has become the mainstream approach.
関連記事
Positional Defence: Overview
An overview of positional defending in futsal. From the first defensive decision of where to set the…
続きを読む →A situation where players are concentrated in a certain area to create a local numerical advantage. It is closely linked with isolation.
An action of driving in from the side toward the centre.
Blocking an off-ball player.
関連記事
Do You Actually Know the Difference? Block vs Curtain, plus Indirect Curtain and Indirect Block
A thorough explanation of the difference between blocks and curtains in futsal. This article sorts o…
続きを読む →
Moving across the space between an off-ball player and their marker to set a curtain.
関連記事
Do You Actually Know the Difference? Block vs Curtain, plus Indirect Curtain and Indirect Block
A thorough explanation of the difference between blocks and curtains in futsal. This article sorts o…
続きを読む →A set play taken when the ball goes out over the touchline.
Play restarts with the team that did not touch the ball last.
A set play taken at the start of each half and after a goal. Play restarts from the centre of the centre circle.
関連記事
Kickoff Tactics for Futsal: Set Play Ideas Every Team Should Have
A practical guide to futsal kickoff set plays. This article introduces several unique tactical patte…
続きを読む →A kick feint.
関連記事
What Is a Kick Feint (Guillotine) in Futsal? When to Use It and How to Make It Work
A thorough explanation of the kick feint, one of futsal's most effective individual moves. Learn the…
続きを読む →A set play taken when the opponent touches the ball last and it goes over your own goal line.
Play restarts with a throw from the goalkeeper.
関連記事
A Classic Goal Clearance Pattern from a 3-1: Using the Pivo
A breakdown of one of futsal's most widely used set plays: a goal clearance from a 3-1 shape that us…
続きを読む →The 4-0 positional attack shape.
関連記事
The Complete Guide to Quatro (4-0) in Futsal: Purpose, Movement, and Training
A complete explanation of the 4-0 (quatro) rotation in futsal. From four-lane theory to 2-player, 3-…
続きを読む →A breaking movement. An off-ball individual tactic used to shake off a marker.
A set play taken when the attacking side touches the ball last and it goes over the goal line. The goalkeeper restarts play by throwing the ball with the hands.
関連記事
A Classic Goal Clearance Pattern from a 3-1: Using the Pivo
A breakdown of one of futsal's most widely used set plays: a goal clearance from a 3-1 shape that us…
続きを読む →The goalkeeper in futsal.
関連記事
What Are the Positions in Futsal? Explaining the Roles of the Pivo, Ala, Fixo, and Goleiro
A beginner-friendly guide to futsal positions. This article clearly explains the four roles of pivo,…
続きを読む →The same as tompa.
関連記事
What Is Tonpa (Contrapie) in Futsal? How to Do It and When to Use It Instead of Inward Dribbling
A beginner-friendly explanation of what tonpa (contrapie) is in futsal, how to do it, and when to ch…
続きを読む →A play where the first touch directs the ball into space or into the next action.
Means "move away." It refers to a tactical sequence in which the ala vacates the space to create a passing lane from the fixo to the pivo.
関連記事
Futsal Sai: Pivo-Ala and the 3-on-Line Pattern
A thorough explanation of the futsal tactical term "sai." This article breaks down how sai works as …
続きを読む →
The side lane when the pitch is divided vertically into three parts.
関連記事
Types and Methods of Vertical Court Division: Strong Side and Weak Side
An explanation of the main ways to divide a futsal court vertically, including 3-lane and 4-lane str…
続きを読む →
A pivo pass.
The expression comes from football, where playing a wedge pass into a target is described as "threading" the pass in.
A diagonal movement.
- English: diagonal
- Portuguese: diagonal, jagonal, jagunau
- Spanish: diagonal
関連記事
Diagonal (Jagonau) Explained in Depth
A thorough breakdown of diagonal, one of futsal's key two-player actions. Learn how this diagonal mo…
続きを読む →Leaving your own mark to go and press the ball holder.
関連記事
Challenge and Cover: The Defensive Pair (1st and 2nd Defender)
An explanation of the futsal defensive pair known as challenge and cover. This article organizes the…
続きを読む →A set play pattern.
In futsal, it is common for teams to use pre-designed plays on set pieces.
An off-ball movement that creates space for a teammate.
The same as a block.
関連記事
Do You Actually Know the Difference? Block vs Curtain, plus Indirect Curtain and Indirect Block
A thorough explanation of the difference between blocks and curtains in futsal. This article sorts o…
続きを読む →
In Portuguese, it means "second."
It is used to mean either a far-post finish or the second unit.
An individual tactic where a player carries the ball inside, draws the opponent in, and then beats them down the line.
関連記事
What Is Tonpa (Contrapie) in Futsal? How to Do It and When to Use It Instead of Inward Dribbling
A beginner-friendly explanation of what tonpa (contrapie) is in futsal, how to do it, and when to ch…
続きを読む →
A rotation in which a certain number of players rotate continuously in the same direction.
The same as redondo.
The central lane when the pitch is divided vertically.
関連記事
Types and Methods of Vertical Court Division: Strong Side and Weak Side
An explanation of the main ways to divide a futsal court vertically, including 3-lane and 4-lane str…
続きを読む →The penalty awarded to the opposing team after a team commits its sixth foul in one period, either the first half or the second half.
The attacking side can choose either a penalty kick from the second-penalty mark, which is 10 metres from goal, or a free kick from the spot where the foul occurred.
A one-minute stoppage. Each team can take one in each half.
A set play from an attacking-half kick-in where the kicker gives the ball a short "chon" touch to restart and the shooter hits it with a "don" strike.
Because a kick-in in the attacking half cannot be scored directly, this is a famous jogada used widely in futsal.
関連記事
The Complete Guide to Chon-Don from an Attacking-Half Kick-In
A complete explanation of chon-don, the most famous attacking-half kick-in play in futsal. This guid…
続きを読む →Organised attack.
This refers to 4v4 attacking structures such as circulation and breaking pressure.
関連記事
Positional Attack: How to Think About Formations and Rotations
A structured guide to formations and rotations in futsal positional attack. This article explains th…
続きを読む →Organised defence.
This refers to 4v4 defensive structures such as a high press or half-court defence.
関連記事
Positional Defence: Overview
An overview of positional defending in futsal. From the first defensive decision of where to set the…
続きを読む →The zone on your own side when the court is divided horizontally into three parts.
関連記事
Types and Methods of Vertical Court Division: Strong Side and Weak Side
An explanation of the main ways to divide a futsal court vertically, including 3-lane and 4-lane str…
続きを読む →
When the defensive structure has broken down, defenders recover back to the ball line.
関連記事
Positional Defence: Overview
An overview of positional defending in futsal. From the first defensive decision of where to set the…
続きを読む →Movement to lose your marker.
関連記事
Futsal Defensive Basics: How to Press, Bilateral Defending, and Defending Against the Strong Foot
An explanation of the fundamentals of futsal defending: how to apply pressure, bilateral defending, …
続きを読む →
To buy time by delaying the opponent or waiting for teammates to recover.
A shooting technique where the ball is struck with the toe. Because the motion is compact and quick, it is effective even in tight spaces.
The changeover between attack and defence.
The phase between positional attack and positional defence.
関連記事
Transitions: Overview
An overview of transitions in futsal. This article organizes the definition of the attacking and def…
続きを読む →An individual tactic where you make a small touch on the ball and then burst past the opponent.
It means the same thing as contrapie.
関連記事
What Is Tonpa (Contrapie) in Futsal? How to Do It and When to Use It Instead of Inward Dribbling
A beginner-friendly explanation of what tonpa (contrapie) is in futsal, how to do it, and when to ch…
続きを読む →
A tactic where a player dribbles into the space opened by the ala, which ends up pushing the ala inward.
関連記事
Two-Player Relationships: The Ala's Tactical Moves (A la Corta, Mini Diagonal, Central Push-Out)
An explanation of the tactical interplay between the fixo and the ala in two-player relationships. U…
続きを読む →
A paralela played through the centre lane.
In Spain, this is sometimes called interior.
A one-two played through the centre lane.
A pivo who drifts wide to create space on the far side or drops into the second line.
The name is derived from the false nine in football.
関連記事
Breaking Down Zone Defence with the False Pivo Rotation (Redondo)
An explanation of the false pivo rotation (redondo) in futsal. This article uses diagrams to clearly…
続きを読む →
A play where the fixo dribbles toward the ala, and the ala then runs in behind to break the defence.
A general term for any play that takes space behind the opponent.
関連記事
Off-Ball Pairing: The Weak-Side Ala Backdoor
This article explains the weak-side ala backdoor, a useful option when a one-two or parallel move do…
続きを読む →Moving around behind the opponent to cut across or break through the defensive line.
関連記事
Two-Player Relationships: The Ala's Tactical Moves (A la Corta, Mini Diagonal, Central Push-Out)
An explanation of the tactical interplay between the fixo and the ala in two-player relationships. U…
続きを読む →
Moving around behind the opponent and then receiving the ball inside from there.
Locally, this tactic is called puerta atras.
関連記事
Off-Ball Pairing: The Weak-Side Ala Backdoor
This article explains the weak-side ala backdoor, a useful option when a one-two or parallel move do…
続きを読む →
In Portuguese, it means "parallel." It refers to a run made parallel to the touchline.
関連記事
Parallel in Futsal: 3 Key Points and 4 Types of Runs
A complete breakdown of the basic two-player futsal action called parallel, using three key principl…
続きを読む →
A tactic where the goalkeeper joins the attack as the fifth outfield player.
関連記事
Power Play in Futsal: The Required Skills and 7 Formations Explained
A thorough guide to futsal power play through seven formations. This article systematically covers t…
続きを読む →
Defending from a deeper position near your own half.
関連記事
Half-Court Defence and the Rotating Diamond
A detailed explanation of the rotating diamond, the most orthodox defensive shape for half-court fut…
続きを読む →The highest position in futsal. This player holds up the ball in post play to create scoring chances and also leads the press against the opposing fixo.
関連記事
Futsal Pivo Position Guide: Movement and Key Traits
A complete guide to the pivo, futsal's most advanced attacking position. This article clearly explai…
続きを読む →
A pass played backward with the sole of the foot.
関連記事
Individual Futsal Skill to Deceive Defenders: Pisada (Heel Pass)
A thorough explanation of the futsal individual skill pisada (heel pass). Learn how a backward pass …
続きを読む →The same as block and continue.
関連記事
Do You Actually Know the Difference? Block vs Curtain, plus Indirect Curtain and Indirect Block
A thorough explanation of the difference between blocks and curtains in futsal. This article sorts o…
続きを読む →The deepest position in futsal. This player anchors the defence against the opposing pivo while also acting as a playmaking controller of the game.
関連記事
What Is the Fixo in Futsal? Role, Positioning, and How the Game Starts from the Back
A complete guide to the fixo, the player who anchors the futsal court. This article explains how the…
続きを読む →
A fake movement.
関連記事
Everything Is Decided by Distance and Angle: Futsal Dribbling Theory
A systematic explanation of futsal dribbling through the lens of distance and angle. Learn a logical…
続きを読む →An individual tactic where the ball is pulled and then pushed out.
It became widely known after Kiyoshi Ishizeki showed it at F no Itadaki.
In a defence that builds multiple lines, this is the movement where a second-line defender tucks in to provide cover.
A play where a player runs in front of the opponent to cut across or break through the defensive line.
関連記事
Two-Player Relationships: The Ala's Tactical Moves (A la Corta, Mini Diagonal, Central Push-Out)
An explanation of the tactical interplay between the fixo and the ala in two-player relationships. U…
続きを読む →A rotation in which a certain number of players keep rotating in the same direction.
Also called senkai.
関連記事
Redondo: A 3-1 Play Model Built Around Rotation
An explanation of a 3-1 play model that uses redondo (rotation). This article breaks down the princi…
続きを読む →
A two-player relationship created when the player in the same lane as the ball holder drops down a line.
関連記事
Vertical Two-Player Combination: How to Break Down the Defence with Volante, Vertical Block, and Continue
An explanation of the vertical two-player relationship in futsal when two players end up in the same…
続きを読む →A defensive system in which each player individually marks and follows one opposing player. It is a person-to-person defence where you stay with your assigned player anywhere on the court.
関連記事
Man-to-Man Defence in Futsal: Simple in Theory, Difficult in Practice
A detailed explanation of man-to-man defending in futsal. This article breaks down the principles, c…
続きを読む →
A defence that combines man-to-man and zone defence.
関連記事
Positional Defence: Overview
An overview of positional defending in futsal. From the first defensive decision of where to set the…
続きを読む →The middle zone when the court is divided horizontally into three parts.
関連記事
Types and Methods of Vertical Court Division: Strong Side and Weak Side
An explanation of the main ways to divide a futsal court vertically, including 3-lane and 4-lane str…
続きを読む →
Movement that crosses the opponent's defensive line.
関連記事
The Tactical Intent of the Line Cut: Three Advantages and Disadvantages
A tactical explanation of the line cut in futsal. This article organizes its definition, three advan…
続きを読む →The same as sai.
In Spanish, it means "to clean," and locally it is more common to call this movement limpiar rather than sai.
関連記事
Futsal Sai: Pivo-Ala and the 3-on-Line Pattern
A thorough explanation of the futsal tactical term "sai." This article breaks down how sai works as …
続きを読む →Birdcage.
The basic two-player tactic of using a pass-and-go to beat an opponent. It means the same as um-dois.
関連記事
Parallel in Futsal: 3 Key Points and 4 Types of Runs
A complete breakdown of the basic two-player futsal action called parallel, using three key principl…
続きを読む →"Please add this term!"
"Is this wrong?"
If you have requests, feedback, or corrections like these, feel free to get in touch.
If you found this useful, I would appreciate it if you shared it on social media or with your team.