Quick definition: the
name 'Futsal'
simply combines the Spanish words for 'Hall' - Sala and 'Football' - Futbol
into Futsal. It is a five-a-side game, played with hockey sized goals and a
smaller ball with a reduced bounce.find out more
As far as my players are concerned, futsal is a superb game. Fast, skilful
and fun to play.
And it's really good for them too!
Steve Sawtelle explains why:
"Futsal provides numerous ball touches in a short period of time and it
presents many of the fundamental tactical patterns of the big soccer game.
The game contains many of the challenges faced in the final third of the
field and provides repeated opportunities to finish. As a requirement of all
teaching, futsal provides repetition and recognizable consequence for poor
execution.
Conversely, it also reinforces good play with tangible results, mostly shots
and goals. It emphasizes both offensive and defensive support, but most
importantly - immediate transition.
Futsal can be a brutally honest game. It will isolate and expose your team's
deficiencies. It will also showcase your teams strengths. The game is fast
and numerous finishing opportunities are offered when played well. Technical
and tactical speeds are emphasized. A bad touch or a slow recovery will almost
always result with a loss of possession. Quite frequently the lesson is
driven home with a goal scored by the opposition. These lessons learned hard
are not easily forgotten.
The satisfying thing about this game is that these lessons are quickly
learned and that players readily adjust themselves to the game's demands.
Coaching clinicians have often stressed that the game is the best teacher. By
putting players in learning situations, the results of the decisions and
their technical execution will educate them with a minimum of coaching
involvement. In futsal, you can see this happen."
I really recommend you try playing futsal with your players this summer.
They'll have fun and massively improve their soccer skills at the same time.
best wishes,
Steve, footy4kids.
"footy4kids patches have transformed my players,
especially their attitude and willingness to learn."feedback from a UK
coach, May 2009
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