Is Futsal really needed?

Legend

Member
Dec 11, 2015
52
I want to know people's opinion on futsal and what it brings to the table for youth development!
 

easoccer

Established Member
Aug 27, 2015
862
In u11/u12 my team played futsal 1x per week. They showed a big improvement in foot skills.

I think its great.
 

CoastalGunner

Member
Sep 7, 2016
33
It's suggested that it improves reaction time and develops additional ball skills.
Our U11s will be supplementing their training with it this season.
Other teams in our club have reported good results.
 

rich

Active Member
Aug 20, 2015
291
Futsal is great. The difference in the ball promotes quicker foot skills and decision making. We use a futsal ball every now and then, even with U16's. Our club provides futsal balls to all the micro kids who train inside.

If it can be incorporated into training...do it!
 

WV1977

Member
Oct 11, 2016
5
I'll preface my first ever post by saying I grew up learning and playing the game in a European country / development system.
I would agree that if it can be incorporated into training it should be. In Europe (as in with countries such as Brazil) there arent many "big grass fields"; rather small cement courts where 5v5 is the common play. It improves quick decision making, short passing, & movement without the ball. I'm also a fan of moving to a system of 6v6 or 7v7 in the 8-9 year old level as we have done in BC. This has been a staple in Europe for 30 years. A child technical ability (and his/her touch) doesn't improve to level it should when you play big pitch 11v11 and you have acres of grass to run on to

-the hardest thing to do...is to play simply soccer
 

Metro Dad

Member
Jan 25, 2016
22
Aside from improving foot skills and quick release, kids of all ages love it. It makes a great change in the middle of a rainy soccer season.
 

TKBC

Established Member
Aug 21, 2015
1,256
I believe BCSA should create a futsal league that mirrors the outdoor league. Same leagues and districts, but smaller divisions. This is of course because futsal has smaller teams. Attach the football league to the outdoor season - find someway to make the futsal league legit (related to cups some how?) and make it a requirement for clubs to enter (or if they choose not to they can't enter cup maybe??) - have it run December-January.
 

4_the_kids

Active Member
Oct 20, 2015
312
I believe BCSA should create a futsal league that mirrors the outdoor league. Same leagues and districts, but smaller divisions. This is of course because futsal has smaller teams. Attach the football league to the outdoor season - find someway to make the futsal league legit (related to cups some how?) and make it a requirement for clubs to enter (or if they choose not to they can't enter cup maybe??) - have it run December-January.

I agree, run regular soccer fall season Sept to Nov. Futsal during winter Dec to Feb. Then Spring soccer March to end May with cup finals in June. After fall season teams can be re-tiered for spring season...
This way for those who want it indoor Futsal is available through the winter, and we don't deal with playing outdoors during the winter months. If you don't want to do futsal you can explore other winter sports like basketball perhaps.. This would also have less conflict with hockey.
 

TKBC

Established Member
Aug 21, 2015
1,256
I agree, run regular soccer fall season Sept to Nov. Futsal during winter Dec to Feb. Then Spring soccer March to end May with cup finals in June. After fall season teams can be re-tiered for spring season...
This way for those who want it indoor Futsal is available through the winter, and we don't deal with playing outdoors during the winter months. If you don't want to do futsal you can explore other winter sports like basketball perhaps.. This would also have less conflict with hockey.

Agreed - so many teams end their season in February. It makes no sense!
 

Legend

Member
Dec 11, 2015
52
I've given this post ten weeks to build comments after my initial question. I know the answer already but as I always do on here. Asking a question to gauge others opinions and comments. I personally have my own answer to this topic.

Here are the facts people: across the world in the soccer nations that are leaders in youth development either directly or indirectly use futsal. Research the FACTS of what futsal does for development. Its not a theory but fact. If your kid is not playing futsal at least once per week, especially in the winter than he isn't being exposed to the proper material. Not to mention 9 out of 10 kids will either say that they enjoy the futsal equally or more than the outdoor game.
 
Nov 18, 2018
7
Sorry for late comment.. very late comment, but since am new to the forum, and my expertise in Dubai is that of Futsal , and futsal developement. Futsal as legend alluded to is by far the most important development tool for kids, no doubt about it.
If we go by one aspect alone, and that is touches of the ball, Futsal wins and beats 11-aside my a country mile. This is one aspect, glad to discuss if there is interest.
 

bigwreck

Member
May 3, 2018
12
Sorry for late comment.. very late comment, but since am new to the forum, and my expertise in Dubai is that of Futsal , and futsal developement. Futsal as legend alluded to is by far the most important development tool for kids, no doubt about it.
If we go by one aspect alone, and that is touches of the ball, Futsal wins and beats 11-aside my a country mile. This is one aspect, glad to discuss if there is interest.
Sure, what are the other aspects where futsal beats 11-aside?
What differs between futsal development versus soccer (11-aside) development? And I dont mean just play futsal to get better at playing 11-aside which if I'm not mistaken is how most people around these parts (BC) would categorize futsal.
 
Nov 18, 2018
7
bigwreck.
More touches leads to
more shots
more dribbles
more passes
more reception of ball
more decision making
more actions
more battles (1v1)
more defensive responsibility *
Learn to be confident in tighter spaces
learn how to create space in tighter spaces
learn to be creative in tighter spaces

more contact time

*teaches players to take care of their personal battles. Not to switch off. Learn to adapt to defensive role when loss of possession occurs quicker than 11v11. Generallly playing technical clever players, and defensively dealing with their tricks.

Hope this helps
 

bigwreck

Member
May 3, 2018
12
Thanks Faris Al-Mudaffer. Are there differences in training methodology between futsal and traditional soccer? Lets say we target a group of U11 rec players (high energy, low skill, short attention span). What would you start with to train these boys.
 
Nov 18, 2018
7
Sorry for late reply.
I would really focus on Futsal Game characteristics.
Passing Drills , and a lot of it.. One technical characteristic I would focus on is using the sole of the Foot. Short passes, dribbling, and in receiving the ball.
One on one battles.. Dribble & Defend.. Again use sole of the foot to dribble by dragging ball in dribble situation (Use both feet) despite its challenges.
Shooting drills. Creat 2v1 scenarios so they can learn to finish and shoot
Set pieces in a corner situation (Movement patterns)
Hope this helps
 
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