Purpose. To compare the performance in the execution of specific motor skills among novice futsal players in 3 competitive categories (U-7, U-9, and U-11) and to compare their performance in specific motor skills during the offensive and defensive phases of the game. Methods. Ten specific motor skills were investigated, including 6 offensive actions and 4 defensive actions, in 49 futsal players aged 6-11 years. Technical performance was analysed in terms of the number of actions, the effectiveness of the action (successful or unsuccessful), and where the action occurred (offensive or defensive midfield). One-way ANOVA was used with the Tukey test, when appropriate, or Student's t-test, with a significance level of 5%. Results. Players in the older categories were more effective defensively than those in the younger categories (F 2,46 = 6.04, p < 0.01, partial 2 = 0.21). The two older groups had an approximately two-and three-fold greater chance, respectively, of executing successful defensive technical actions (OR = 1.82, p < 0.05; OR = 2.83, p < 0.01). Furthermore, the players were more technically effective in the offensive phase of the game than in the defensive phase (M = 41.35, SD = 21.53 and M = 16.47, SD = 7.90, respectively; t 96 = 7.60, p < 0.01, d = 1.69). Conclusions. Players in older competitive categories were more effective, and players were more effective offensively than defensively.