Why Futsal?

http://www.fifa.com/futsalworldcup/news/newsid=1798909/

Futsal is the only indoor game sanctioned by FIFA. If skill development is important, Futsal is recognized as clearly the best form of indoor soccer. But that’s not the only reason. Better Skills Development – Futsal promotes quality touches Safer – Futsal eliminates the injuries associated with wall collisions Less Expensive Futsal makes quality soccer more affordable.

Who says Futsal is really that much better?

FIFA says Futsal is better. The Brazilians are among the many nations that swear by it. Pele, Ronaldo, Robinho, Romario, Zico, Adriano, Kaka and Bebeto all credit Futsal for much of their skill and technique development. All the major heads of Soccer and FIFA declared that this is the way to go. Once you experience Futsal, you will see the reasons.

What the pros are saying?

“As a kid, you need to touch the ball as much as you can. You should always be with the ball. You should have a feeling that wherever the ball is, you can do anything with it. No matter where it is, where it is on your body, how it’s spinning, how it’s coming at you, the speed it’s coming at you, anything. You can learn the tactical side of the game later. It’s amazing to me that people put so much emphasis on trying to be tactical and worry about winning when it doesn’t matter when you’re 12 years old. We’re going to have big, strong, fast players. We’re Americans, we’re athletes. But if we never learn at an early age to be good on the ball, then it’s just useless.”- Landon Donovan, US National Team

Ronaldo, the great Brazilian player developed his skills at an early age with Futsal.
“At 12, I joined an indoor “Futebol’ De Salao” league to play Futsal. Futsal is a game played on a hard surface with a small ball made to roll — not bounce. Your footwork had to be good to move in and out of traffic, since the pitch was so small — about the size of a basketball court. I loved the challenge of playing in such tight spaces.”- Ronaldo, National Team, Real Madrid

Is Futsal new?

Futsal is the new rage in soccer. However, as is often the case, United States is just catching on to what the world already knows. Superior soccer skill is built by simulating the outdoor game indoors with small-sided games and a smaller ball. World famous clubs such as Ajax have used this approach for years. Futsal has been around for over fifty years but the America’s interest in soccer skill development has only recently focused attention on the training techniques used in successful soccer powerhouses such as Brazil, Holland, Germany, France, Argentina, Spain and Italy.

How does Futsal promote better technique?

Just watch Futsal players fight to keep the ball from crossing the touchline and you’ll immediately begin to see how FUTSAL develops skill, control, and technique. A small field with lines puts players constantly under pressure from other players and out-of-play boundaries. Players must learn to settle the ball rapidly, turn sharply, shield effectively, pass quickly and move into open space. Compared to walled soccer or large indoor field soccer, Futsal places a greater premium on ball control. There is no reward for errant passes because the other team gets the ball. There is no incentive to ‘kick and run’ because the field is too small and packed with players. Players with the ball must use proper technique to maintain control and must seek out other players in space. Players without the ball must move to ‘real’ space and must truly support their teammates.

However, for Futsal, the emphasis is clearly on control and technique.

Without control and technique you cannot expect to succeed in Futsal.

If you are serious about skills and technique development, Futsal is the superior activity. Futsal promotes better technique and develops skills more rapidly. It is the “expressway” to correct soccer player development. It is time well spent.

How is Futsal better than Walled Soccer?

Futsal improves player soccer skills better than walled soccer for both offensive and defensive skills training.

As an offensive Futsal player, there are no walls to save errant passes. There are no walls to stop long balls. There are no walls to rebound errant shots. There are no walls against which to pin the ball or your opponent. There are no walls to help you if you lack the feinting skills to beat a defender. There are no walls to save you if your teammates are not moving into space to support you. In general, you must control the ball, use proper touch and technique, use correct pace, send accurate service, and truly work dynamic combinations.

As a Futsal defender, you can ‘face up’ on an oncoming player just like in outdoor soccer (there is no wall pass to beat you). You can let errant passes go out of bounds to win the ball (the proper result of your opponent’s faux pas). Goalies and defenders can concentrate on proper shot blocking angles. You do not need to worry about long overhead balls, which should go out of bounds. You can drive an oncoming player into the side to break up break-a ways or outnumbered breaks. In general, you can practice and perfect the defensive techniques, which apply to outdoor soccer. You don’t waste time working on defending against phantom players (i.e. walls).