Futebol (Soccer)
Futebol, more commonly known as soccer, is a team sport played between two teams of eleven players and is widely considered to be the most popular sport in the world. Futebol is governed internationally by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (International Federation of Association Football) more commonly known as FIFA. The most prestigious international futebol competition is the FIFA World Cup which is held every four years and is the most widely viewed in the world.

Futebol de Salao (Futsal)
Futsal is an indoor version of soccer. Its name is derived from the Portuguese futebol de salão which can be translated as “indoor football.” Futsal is played between two teams of five players, one of whom is the goalkeeper. In addition each team may have seven substitutes. Futsal is played with a smaller ball with less bounce than regular soccer ball. The emphasis is on improvisation, creativity and technique. Other forms of indoor soccer exist and are played by somewhat different rules. These may be referred to as indoor football, five-a-side football or indoor soccer. Those games predate the formulation of official (FIFA) rules of Futsal. For more information on Fustal, click here.

Futebol de Areia (Beach Soccer)
Futebol de Areia or Beach Soccer is a variant of the sport of soccer. The game itself is played on the beach and emphasizes skill, agility and the ability to score goals. The founders of Beach Soccer Worldwide codified rules for the game in 1992 and are largely responsible for the majority of beach soccer tournaments today. The irregularity of playing on soft sand necessitates improvisations. The compact pitch allows players to score from anywhere which leads to high-scoring games. For more information on Beach Soccer, click here.

Futvolei (Futvolley)
Futvolei originated in Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, around 1963. There are many stories as to its origins, but legend has it that the city banned soccer on the beach. When the volleyball players were not using their courts, the soccer players began using them to provoke the city. What started out as a joke became an excellent training exercise and quickly caught on as a sport. Futvolley has unofficially become the second most played sport in Brazil today and is catching on all over the world. While the game is officially played on the beach, you will often see it played on the grass and even on a cement court. All you really need to begin playing is a ball, two or more players, and enough space for a court and a net.

Futtenis (Fut-Tennis)
Futtenis, like Futvolei, has been played recreationally in Brazil for years. However, in 1936, the first official rules were written and in 1962 the Czech Footballtennis League was founded although it centered largely in Prague. In 1971 the Czech Footballtennis Association was founded. Up until the 1980s, the sport gained little international recognition; however, in 1987, the International Footballtennis Association (IFTA, now the FIFTA, the Federation International Footballtennis Association) was founded. European championships have been held since 1993, and world championships since 1996. Footballtennis remains popular in Czech Republic and Slovakia, but also has a following in France, Hungary, Brazil, Switzerland, Austria, Romania and Croatia, as can be seen from the list of FIFTA members.

Futebol de Rua (Street Soccer)
Today, the term “streetballer” is given to those who practice the art of juggling. However, the true streetballer is something quite different. Growing up in Brazil, street soccer is a part of normal, everyday life. There are no coaches, no rules, and no real goals (usually rocks or coconuts). It’s a perfect environment to learn and perfect moves, or to create new ones. Because of the small space and speed of the game, all players learn to attack, defend and be creative. Quick thinking and good technique become second nature. Even those who begin with no skills find themselves quickly developing. Without a doubt, Futebol de Rua improves awareness, ball control, speed and mobility, accuracy on passes and shots, communication and dribbling skills. The talent and agility necessary to play has taken many players from the street to the best club soccer fields in Rio de Janeiro and throughout Brazil.

Futebol de 6, 7, 8, 9 (Society Soccer)
Futebol Society is a variation of soccer originated in Brazil approximately 80 years ago when it was trendy for the wealthier families to have their own full-sized soccer field within the boundaries of their properties. These high-society families (hence the name “Society”) would gather socially and spend an afternoon with a friendly game of soccer. With unlimited subs, no offside rules, many touches on the ball due to the smaller number of players and consequently a lot of goals, what's not to like? The game caught on and became of sport of its own. Today it is very popular in South America and is quickly making a name for itself here in America.