Futsal : The Secret Behind Playing Beauty Soccer

What do Ronaldinho, Messi, Zidane, Kaka, Fabregas & Cristiano Ronaldo all have in common? They have great ball skills. These great players don't even think about what to do with the ball, it comes to them naturally. This is a result of loads of touches on the ball & plenty of practice. Bo you know what else these great players have in common? All of them played FUTSAL.

The speedy flow of Futsal permits young players to improvise, be creative & use individual skills such as ball control & feints. It doesn't allow for "kick and run" tactics as the playing area is too small and too crowded. It requires players to think and act quickly many times over on the Futsal court, often only having enough time for one touch. Players must be resourceful with their one touch and use any and all parts of the foot to pass, redirect, flick and shoot the ball.

Futsal is the official FIFA version of indoor 5 a side soccer. The sport is played on a hard flat court roughly the size of a basketball court with a ball that is smaller & heavier than a regulation soccer ball. Subtstitutions are made "on the fly" and a fast tempo is maintained by limiting kick-ins, corners and goal kicks to four seconds, Although still in the early stages of its development in North America, Futsal is hugely popular in countries like ITALY, BRAZIL, SPAIN and ARGENTINA.

Futsal continuously places players in challenging decision making situations, which forces players with the ball to make use of proper technique to make speedy passes. Players without the ball are encouraged to make their way in to the space & generate passing options. Futsal's quick passing environment is one of the finest teachers of the quick pass and move or "give and go". Did you ever notice how Messi and his Barcelona teammates effortlessly respond to quick short passes? They all played Futsal.

Playing beauty soccer is developed through FUTSAL.


by : Don Alessandro