Courtesy: Click Lancashire


Samba football to touchdown in Bury and Bolton with launch of new game

by Mike Porter

Tue 19 Apr 2011

Samba football could soon be as synonymous with Bolton and Bury as it is with Brazil when a new South American form of the game is launched by the Lancashire FA

Futsal, the five-a-side version of the game which has produced talents such as Ronaldinho and Ronaldo, is being launched in the North West to promote a more technical form of the game.

Children's tournaments organised by the local FA are aimed at giving youngsters a more positive experience from their game by promoting time on the ball to improve their skills.

Futsal originated in South America where a shortage of playing surfaces in crowded cities like Sao Paolo forced football-mad crowds to play smaller sided games.

Players soon began to enhance skills, and football legends like Pele, Rivelino and Zico all played in their younger playing days.

The game is played on a flat indoor pitch with smaller hockey-sized goals and a smaller ball which is harder with reduced bounce.

The laws of Futsal favours skilful, creative play with an accumulated foul count, rolling substitutes and a four-second rule for restarting play from free-kicks.

Teams work on quick passing moves to beat defences, with the majority of goals coming from close range.

Iain Kay, football development officer at the Lancashire Football Association, said: “Futsal gives players more time on the ball and a more positive experience.

"Even goalkeepers improve their skills as they have to be able to pass the ball.

“The format is used in many other countries- players like Ronaldo and Ronaldinho played the game from an early age.

“Playing on full-size pitches with high goals for children is unrealistic. Young players need to be given time to learn the game and develop skills.”

Introducing new formats of the game is part of the Football Association’s plan to encourage junior teams to play smaller sided games to improve technical skills in children.

These plans include a public campaign to teach teachers, parents and coaches about the importance of player development.

Kay said that new formats of the game may help relieve the pressure placed on some children.

He said: “Some competitions will be competitive and some will not. We still want passion in the game but the pressure needs to be lifted from children. These new formats are focussed on development but kids still need an incentive to play the game.”

The Football Association’s Future Game report includes proposals to overhaul grassroots football and make youth coaching more professional with a change to formats and facilities.

David Evans, Preston-based goalkeeping coach, said that new formats were good for the game but good pitches are needed to aid development.

He said: "In seven-a-side players learn different positions and goalkeepers also learn technical skills. Kids can’t cope with bigger pitches but some kids grow faster and bigger than others.

“We need to invest in flat pitches and good changing facilities. The Football Association needs to make it easier for grassroots clubs to get grants and need guidance to maximise what they’re given.”

“Some teams are forced to play on council pitches which are over-used. If we invest in our local teams around the country, we will produce better players for the national team.”


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