The nature of the game places a large emphasis on technical skill and ability in situations of high pressure, and is subsequently an excellent breeding ground for football competencies that can be translated into the 11-a-side format of the game.
Many of the top world class footballers played Futsal in their youth and credit it with supporting their football development; players of the calibre of Pele, Zico, Roaldinho, Kaka, Lionel Messi to name but a few of the South American legends all played and enjoyed Futsal. But Futsal has not just helped produce South American Football Stars, on the European stage Cristiano Ronaldo, Deco, Xavi, Fabregas amongst many others have played Futsal to develop their skills.
"Futsal was important in helping to develop my ball control, quick thinking, passing...also for dribbling, balance, concentration...Futsal was very, very important, no doubt."- Pele, World Cup Winner: 1958, 1962 & 1970.
"Perhaps in regular football you cannot appreciate the talent. Everything is more physical. But in Futsal you have small details of quality, class and tactical aspects." - Xavi, FIFA World Cup and UEFA Champions League Winner.
Futsal is a five-a-side game, normally played on a flat indoor pitch with hockey sized goals and a size 4 ball with a reduced bounce. It is played to touchlines and all players are free to enter the penalty area and play the ball over head height. Games are 20 minutes per half, played to a stopping clock (similar to basketball) with time-outs permitted.
There are a number of differences to our traditional version of small sided football, but the dominant elementsare the absence of rebound boards and amendments in the laws that encourage and foster skilful, creative play above the physical contact that tends to be a feature of English five-a-side.
The surface, ball and rules create an emphasis on improvisation, creativity and technique as well as ball control and passing in small spaces.
"Futsal...it makes you more composed on the ball and makes you want the ball more, so you can do something with it." - Micah Richards, England International
"Futsal is an extremely important way for kids to develop their skills and understanding of the game. My touch and my dribbling have come from playing Futsal". - Ronaldinho, FIFA World Footballer of the Year 2004 & 2005
The Leicestershire & Rutland County FA - FA Futsal Fives League
The Leicestershire & Rutland FA Futsal Fives League takes place on Tuesday evenings at Brockington College, Blaby Road, Enderby, Leicestershire, LE19 4AQ and started on the 29th January 2013.
For more information on Futsal or to register your interest in entering a team for the next FA Futsal Fives league click here or please contact:
Adam Holyoake
Football Development Manager (Adult)
E: Adam.Holyoake@LeicestershireFA.com
T: 0116 2844 951
M: 07738 321 292
or
Marion Hayton
Senior Football Development Manager (Youth)
E: Marion.Hayton@LeicestershireFA.com
T: 0116 2844 950
M: 07843 664 751
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