Courtesy: San Diego Soccer Daily News


Futsal Founder Shares His Secrets

XK Staff

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Coach and San Diego Futsal founder Mario Mrakovic shares the secrets behind Futsal success. He offers camps and clinics throughout the year. Fall Futsal clinics begin on Sunday, Oct. 5. For more information, click here.

Watch Futsal players try to keep the ball from crossing the touch line and you'll immediately begin to see how Futsal develops skill, control and technique. A small field with lines puts players constantly under the pressure from other players and out-of-play boundaries. Players must learn to settle the ball rapidly, chop sharply, shield effectively, pass quickly and move into space in an instant.

Compared to arena soccer or field soccer, Futsal places a greater premium on the ball control. There is no reward for errant passes because the other team gets the ball. There is no reward for errant shots 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 correct space and must truly support their teammates.

With Futsal, the emphasis is clearly on control and technique. Without control and technique you cannot expect to succeed in Futsal or soccer. If U.S. players are to be more successful in the international arena, it is clear that we must train better and prepare our youth players with proper technique training. If you are serious about skills and technique development, Futsal is by far the most superior activity. Futsal promotes better technique and develops skills more rapidly than any other soccer-related method. More and more soccer powerhouses in the world are implementing Futsal training in their earliest training, before they even start soccer training.

Exercises for “Super Glue” Ball Control

SIC-SAC TOUCHES: Touching the ball with inside feet sideways left to right in a rapid motion.

There are several modifications to use for this exercise with a different body adjustments with a ball:

1) In place – find a comfortable rhythm

2) Moving straight forwards – do not extend your touches

3) Moving straight backwards – do not bend your back

4) Moving sideways/lateral – maintain the same touches both feet

5) In circle – around the world both ways – explore the size of the circle

6) Moving freely around – have fun, experiment, be innovative

7) Eyes closed – good for balance, space awareness, breathing pattern

8) Changing pace – be creative and have fun

9) Arms swinging as if in running – maintain small touches

10) Moving freely checking over both shoulders – make believe game situation

Technical Keys/Coach Mrakovic’s Pointers

Head is up – chin is up – elbows bent at 90 degree angle still – back is straight - knees are slightly bent – feet are light and fast – the ball is underneath the body, not in front – touches to outside are not long and extended, but rather small, quick and soft – touches on the ball should be with a sense of a magnetic field, with soft touches and a nice rhythm –everything is quick and easy with no hard effort, but rather light and relaxed – DO NOT LOOK AT THE BALL!

Coach Mrakovic can be reached at info@SanDiegoFutsal.com. For more information, visit www.SanDiegoFutsal.com.





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