Why Play Futsal

The value of futsal is best explained by mathematics. A futsal player touches the ball six times more per minute, according to a Liverpool University study.

Dr. Emilio Miranda, Professor of Soccer at the University of Sao Paolo, Brazil summed it up best. “No time plus no space equals better skills. Futsal is our national laboratory for improvisation.”

Training Teams & Operating a League

My teams never played futsal, playing on grass/turf was considered the model for player development. When we did play in a gym it was with a soccer ball and we used the walls. More important, my US Soccer coaching pathway never mentioned the sport.

That changed in 2015 when I got into the business of operating a futsal league.

Where Did The Stars Develop Their Skills

Many of the world’s top players, particularly in Europe and South America, associate their outstanding skills with playing futsal during their youth.

WHY THEY ARE THE BEST CRISTIANO RONALDO During my childhood in Portugal, all we played was Futsal. The small playing area helped me improve my close control, and whenever I played Futsal I felt free. If it wasn't for Futsal, I wouldn't be the player I am today. ("tar foundation LIONEL MESSI As a little boy in Argentina, I played Futsal on the streets and for my club. It was tre- mendous fun, and it really helped me become who I am today. NEYMAR For me, Futsal is one of my passions. I always loved to play. Futsal helps a lot because you need to think quickly. It's a more dynamic game... and today, in Europe, there's not much space so you need to think quicker and Futsal has helped me a lot with that. AIRWAYS "

8 Reasons Why Futsal Can Improve Your Players

  1. The Ball – smaller and heavier, demands and rewards precise skills
  2. The Rules – eliminates physicality and stoppages, while rewarding skill
  3. Space and time are a premium – can’t get out of a tight spot simply by booting the ball
  4. Game is all about finding angles and spaces
  5. Constantly attacking or defending
  6. Creating a numerical advantage with other players (2v1)
  7. Perception and decision making crucial to the effectiveness
  8. Fun for kids, they touch the ball with greater frequency in different positions.

Futsal condenses the demands of a soccer game into a small court. The ball, rules and the playing surface creates a game of active participation where players are constantly involved.

Touching the ball 600 percent more, means players learn faster than being on an outdoor large field.

What training methods are you using to improve your players’ technical and tactical qualities?

Resources

  • The Talent Code, by Daniel Coyle
  • Youth Soccer in America by Brienne Colby Sembrat. Soccer Journal, National Soccer Coaches Assn. of America, May/June 2015
  • FUTSAL by The FA
  • Futsal Coaching Manual by UEFA

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