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How did players such as Pele, Rivelinho, Zico, Luis Figo, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Robinho and Roberto Carlos develop skills that set them apart from other players?
What did they do as youngsters that provided them with the basis to becoming some of the world’s best players?
The answer, FUTSAL!
As a small-sided game players are constantly placed in situations where they must receive or play whilst under pressure or in confined spaces and it places considerable demand on technique, skill, creativity, movement, tactical awareness and fitness.
Players are not allowed to approach the game in a physical manner as the rules forbid any kind of physical play, thus allowing young players to express individual skill, allowing players to emulate Ronaldo's step-over, Ronaldinho's elastico or Roberto Carlos' shooting. When young players are allowed to express themselves they ultimately have FUN, which is what football is all about.
Individual close ball skills are developed through an increased number of touches during the game and due to the smaller ball with a reduced bounce. Players are nearly always placed in reduced space situations and are constantly forced to make decisions demanding speed of thought and quick reflexes, which encourages one two touch football, constant and simultaneous movement off the ball, sharp finishing such as the toe poke and ultimately effective and beautiful football, as played throughout history by Brazil and Argentina and more recently by Spain, Barcelona and Arsenal.
Due to the development of technical skill and tactical awareness in futsal coinciding with training sessions focusing on the same thing, once players hit their late teens they will have a superior advantage over opposition who have trained and developed via the traditional British route, which lacks technique, tactical awareness, quick reflexes and speed of thought and relies more on a direct physical game which ultimately lacks variation and creativity.
Futsal's freedom and emphasis on skill over physical play was seen at our Open day. Fifteen fixtures producing 70 goals and these were eight minute matches one way. The lowest scoring game was 2:0 and the highest scoring game 5:3 and 4:4. |
Ronaldo's famous toe-poke, a shooting technique which demonstates quick reflexes delevloped in confined spaces and surprises goal keepers. A skill which comes from Futsal.
Luis Figo, a symbol of how Futsal has helped European players too. A player remembered for his ability to beat players on the wing with close control and lovely effortless skill. |
