Courtesy: Soccer Nation


FUTSAL ON SOCCER - A Necessary Transition

by Daniel Musatti

Monday, March 28, 2011

SoccerNation is taking a closer look at the great game of FUTSAL. This article by San Diego Nomad Soccer Club's Brazilian Coach Daniel Musatti is the first in a series of columns on the importance and impact of Futsal on soccer.

Futsal emerged in South America around the 1930's as a variation of the traditional game of soccer. Its name derives from the Portuguese words: Futebol de Salao (Indoor Soccer), as the sport developed over the years on the streets of Sao Paulo, Brazil, where the first book of rules was created, and subsequently throughout Brazil and Latin America.

Futsal was also introduced by Latino immigrants to European countries with the same origin such as Spain, Italy and Portugal. Not coincidentally, Futsal precursors are the same countries that dominate the world scenario on the sport from the beginning until the present.

FIFA took control of Futsal only a few decades ago, bringing organization, global rules, professionalism and a high level of competitions, making Futsal take a crescent course that endures today. However, the major benefit of Futsal lies in the player developmental side or the development of the physical, technical and tactical skills, all in a limited space and time.

In South American countries, children from 6 to 10 years play only Futsal in clubs and schools, mainly because they still do not have age, size or strength to play the traditional 11x11 soccer. When they get older, schools in general keep Futsal while clubs make the transition to the soccer field.

In countries such as Brazil, Spain and Italy, they don't play "showball" known here and in Canada as "indoor" soccer or 8x8 at this age, but they play Futsal and for different reasons.


As an example "indoor"soccer, also referred to as arena soccer, offers the wall as a resource to help the player. If one is playing traditional soccer, every time the ball hits the wall, it's due to a wrong move, pass, lack of ball control or lack of technical resources to develop a play that is out of soccer reality. Moreover, "indoor" soccer in other countries, is played only by former professional players and just as entertainment.

In regards to the 8x8 youth soccer (which is what most U7, U8, U9 and U10 club players play), it's only played at a recreational level, since all the tactical principles are different from the regular 11x11 larger soccer field.

Futsal has all the essentials fundamentals for a child to become a soccer player with an outstanding technique, and those fundamentals are applied and trained ostensibly on a court where kids play 4x4 plus the goalkeepers in order to facilitate their comprehension.

At the age of 6 to 10, there should be no focus on competition or yelling at the boys from the sideline to win games or tournaments. What these children need is to develop their skills step by step until one day they are able to become a soccer player, otherwise the deceptive feeling and disappointment can be constant at an age when kids need motivation to develop their personality.

Due to the type of floor, ball and shoes, Futsal has an intense game speed where all the soccer fundamentals have to be applied in a flawless and fast performance. The decision-making for example, the first item on the list for most scouts from European clubs, begins to be developed in Futsal where any player cannot exceed four seconds to put the ball in play, as well as moving without the ball into empty spaces, passing skills with both legs, ball control and many other details that are naturally acquired by players in this stage of life.
In Southern California, there is still a cultural resistance to Futsal, in part because local "indoor or arena soccer" are very "fun" options for the kids, and in part because some parents and coaches of kids this age feel that a player can only develop their skills by playing 8x8 or 11x11.

As a consequence, I've seen several Academy and College teams, where players of the same age or older than Neymar or Balotelli (teenagers), are mostly unable to control the ball properly. Often the players are also unable to successfully create a play passing the ball throughout the defense and midfielders, until they reach the net to score.

"Indoor" or arena soccer as it is also called, is a very physical game and sometimes approaches the playing style of football instead of soccer. I recently witnessed am indoor soccer game like this up in Sacramento, California.

However, Futsal as a development tool for local athletes, is increasing and is very promising. Some parents and teams with a successful tradition in player development such as the Nomads Soccer Club, already understand it's importance and are already using Futsal in an exemplary manner. It's also important to highlight the necessity of having professionals involved as well to certify the insertion of a methodology used to develop these athletes.

Futsal is more than just placing a ball on the court with a player and letting the kids play. It is the same principle as driving; you do not just throw a kid in a car and let him drive off. There are things to learn before driving, just as with playing Futsal.

For More Information on Futsal, please visit the United States Futsal Federation (U.S.F.F.)


Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com