Adding in Some Futsal
I love Futsal.
Fun, fast-paced, fantastic for individual skill development under pressure, and fun.
Did I say fun?
This is the development tool that I’ve wanted to add in since we started 4 years ago, but haven’t been able to.
This year, worked to secure gym space at the Academy of Holy Angels (the training facility we use for outdoor and dome training), and will be looking to add 15-20 Sunday-evening dates for the girls to come in and just play. I honestly wish I could add more. We train 3x per week. Futsal would be the 4th weekly session, making up 25% of our winter training. For me, at the age, 50% Futsal would be perfect.
What’s the big deal with Futsal?
First and foremost it’s a lot of fun. I think I’ve made myself clear on this point.
Second, with the low-bounce ball used, players have many opportunities to try and utilize various soccer techniques (passing/receiving, dribbling, shielding, fakes/feints, etc) and make decisions with the ball at their feet.
Third, due to the tight confines, players will always be under pressure. When players have the ball at their feet they’ll be under pressure. When players are trying to complete passes and receive passes they’ll be under pressure. When players are looking to shoot they’ll be under pressure. What a player felt as pressure this fall won’t feel like pressure next spring. With the reduction in felt pressure will come a reduction in tension and panic, which will lead to better performance.
If a players wants to reduce the pressure they could face, they’ll need to really develop their field awareness and vision in order to find smart space to get into to receive a pass.
Fourth, there will be plenty of opportunities to work on transition play. Transition is the moment a team is forced to change from attacking to defending (when they lose possession of the ball), or from defending to attacking (when they win possession of the ball). In Futsal, teams are often either defending a counter-attack or in the process of launching one after breaking down their opponents. I’m sure you can see why this helps players become more familiar with both attacking and defending as well.
The team that can transition quicker (talking both in Futsal and in the outdoor game) will usually be the team that comes out on top at the end of the day.
Fifth, players will be 1v1. A lot. The 11v11 game can be broken down into a series of 1v1 battles, and the more comfortable the girls are in these situations, the better. The girls will get to attack 1v1, and get to defend 1v1, improving their play on both sides of the ball.
Finally, we’re in a gym. By ourselves. With no outside distractions. Not in a dome with 50-75 other players, screaming coaches, and soccer balls flying in and out of our training area. Just me and the team, doing what we both love.
Can’t wait!
