GROWING SPORTS
TONY SNOW, SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER, FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
Futsal is growing at all levels across Europe
Futsal, football’s small-sized, indoor version, is now among the fastest growing team sports in Europe. The FA’s Tony Snow outlines the reasons behind the success
INSIDE FOOTBALL B
razilian star Ronaldinho swears by it, Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi says it’s the reason why he became the player he is today and perhaps Pelé would
never have reached his legendary status without it. Such is the influence of futsal. Hailing from the large urban
conurbations of Uruguay and Brazil in the 1930s, futsal is football’s little brother – an exciting, fast-paced small- sided football game that places a large emphasis on technical skill and ability in situations of high pressure. Densely populated cities and a shortage
of playing pitches forced a football mad populace to play small-sided football and in 1936 the first rules emerged. The name futsal was chosen by FIFA and is a combination of the Spanish words for ‘football’ (futbol) and ‘hall’ (sala). Subsequently as it has proved, it is an excellent breeding ground for football competencies which can be translated into the 11-a-side format of the game. As it grew from its South American roots, it has not only helped produce some of that continent’s finest players but has also had a defining influence on the European stage. Barcelona’s tiki-taka has its foundations in futsal, with Iniesta and Xavi among the ones to play the game to develop their skills.
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KEEPING IT SMALL Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, another disciple of futsal, cites the small playing area of the pitch as a key factor in the way it improves personal skill. “If it wasn’t for futsal, I wouldn’t be the
player I am today,” he says. “It helped me improve my close ball control, for example. Whenever I played futsal I felt free.” Football and futsal have a great deal
in common – players of both must be able to master the ball and make quick decisions – but there are subtle differences too. One of these is the size of the ball – Futsal is played with a size 4 as opposed to a regulation size 5 ball. Futsal is a five-a-side game, normally
played on a flat indoor pitch with hockey- sized goals. It is played to touchlines and all players are free to enter the penalty area and play the ball over head-height. Games are 20 minutes per half, played to a stopping clock (similar to basketball) with time-outs permitted. There are a number of differences
between futsal and the various versions of “small-sided” football played in England. However, the dominant elements are the absence of rebound boards and rules which encourage and foster skilful, creative play above the physical contact, which tends to be a feature of the English
game. As a result, futsal is an extremely powerful way for kids to develop their touch and dribbling skills.
TECHNICAL PROWESS Although futsal is very much a game in its own right, it creates an environment which allows young people to develop and practice many skills which are transferable to the 11-a-side game. Because of its nature, futsal supports the technical development of young players in a multitude of ways. The smaller confines of the pitch make it harder to find space, the line markings prevent easy escape from tight situations (unlike traditional five-a- side, where the ball can be played off the wall) and the smaller, heavier ball supports closer ball control and manipulation. Research indicates that individuals
playing futsal receive the ball six times more often than they do playing 11-a-side football, resulting in players needing to pass, control, feint and dribble more often. As well as having more touches on the ball, players will often receive the ball under pressure from opponents, developing their confidence on the ball. Futsal as a game naturally brings players
into regular one-on-one situations with their opponent. This encourages players into quick decision-making – whether to
sportsmanagement.co.uk issue 4 2014 © Cybertrek 2014
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