“If it wasn’t for futsal, I would definitely not be the player I am today.” —C. Ronaldo

“It [futsal] was great fun and helped me become the player I am today.” —Messi

In adult football, the higher the standard, the quicker the game becomes. Many players who are comfortable in one league or in the Under 23s get quite a shock when they experience playing a higher standard at the first-team level for the first time. So, it’s not necessarily just the quality of content that’s in a training session but the speed it can be carried out. Technically, the better the players are, the tempo of the practices carried out will be quicker. This leads to more affordances for action (decisions), quicker thinking (perception-action coupling) and variability. Players therefore need to process information and adapt quickly. The high-tempo games also stretch players technically, honing and improving throughout. This is where it’s vital that players develop good technical skills, as without good technique, then playing and practising at a high level is impossible. If a player hasn’t got good technique, they will eventually reach a ceiling and get left behind. This is where playing futsal can be a complete game-changer.

Futsal is an indoor 5-a-side game played with a smaller, slightly weighted ball. It is very popular in South America, Spain and Portugal and has been quoted by players such as Messi, Ronaldo and Neymar as one of the reasons they became such great players. For children to develop, putting players into decision-rich environments such as small-sided games and futsal is vital. The smaller spaces mean that children have to think quicker, make better decisions, and develop better techniques. It’s not just the technical aspects of football that improve drastically. Decision- rich environments, like futsal, with high volumes of opportunities (affordances) for action, develop anticipation levels in players where it

can seem like they have some sort of sixth sense. Players develop high levels of deception to counter anticipation, as deception is anticipation’s anti-venom (see Chapter 48 for the importance of being difficult to read). When they return to football, players that regularly play futsal feel like they have more time on the ball, and their decision-making improves tenfold.

It is often wrongly thought to be a game of fancy skills but, in fact, is a game that naturally teaches the basic fundamentals of football to a very high level, and all players benefit from the game. I’ve encountered a lot of parents and coaches who are scared of the game, as it can highlight a lot of weaknesses in individuals. For example, on a big grass pitch, a player might get away with a poor first touch or a lack of basic control. They might get away with being lazy or being completely one-footed. In futsal, these things are highlighted quickly, which can lead to parents and coaches dismissing the game as they like to think that their child is better than that, so it must be the game that is rubbish. Those who embrace it, I promise you when done properly, will accelerate their development massively and will push on a lot quicker to fulfilling their potential. I honestly believe there isn’t a better, easier and more simple way to help your child be the best footballer they can be than getting them to play futsal. It is an accelerated learning environment with more touches, decisions, tackles, shots, and match situations played at a very high pace.

The FA has become aware that futsal is a fantastic youth coaching development tool. I’m delighted as I’ve been preaching about it for over 20 years, and hopefully, now local grassroots clubs will embrace it as part of their coaching programme. However, just a word of warning: although I believe it’s the easiest way to help children develop, futsal on its own is not the answer. On its own, it is not a magic formula. It has to be part of a well-thought-out individual technical development programme for children to fulfil their potential. Without a learning environment where children can try things, express themselves and be creative, futsal will not be the accelerated learning environment it should be. It’s a culture, a learning environment, and not just a game of

5-a-side with a smaller, heavier ball. Futsal on its own is not the answer. My worry is that the FA and grassroots clubs sometimes simply use futsal to tick off their technical development box and think it’s enough. It’s not. It’s definitely a step in the right direction, as long as it is used properly, but a long way off from being the magic formula everyone is looking for. Used correctly, it is a confidence-building tool as well as increasing match situations, 1 v 1s and decision-making variables. However, if the coach taking the session is the same coach that shouts instructions constantly during their other conventional sessions and matches, then it’s not being used properly. As the sport becomes more popular, then please embrace and enjoy it but don’t be naive enough to think that on its own, there will suddenly be an abundance of technically gifted players to rival those we admire so much from other countries. What I mean is, if the coach is someone who usually shouts at their players for trying skills or for giving the ball away, then futsal isn’t going to work well. A fixed mindset one day and a growth mindset the next will be very confusing for the children. So, if your child’s club suddenly starts playing “futsal”, then it might be best to check if it’s being done properly or just being used as a tick in the box and no more than a bit of indoor practice. I would strongly recommend researching if there are any specialist futsal clubs in your area and enrolling your child there. Trust me, you won’t regret it.

This blog was taken from my book, Did You Win, Did You Score…? How to Help Your Child Succeed at Football and Life.

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