Ensuring future Welsh football success

Futsal to help develop young players’ technical skills

Futsal hones skills such as receiving the ball under pressure (picture courtesy Welsh Football Trust)

A tournament in Cardiff aims to introduce children to the increasingly popular game of futsal this month.

It is hoped that the highly technical five-a-side game will instil superior ball control, as well as balance, coordination and agility in young players.

Recent Welsh footballing success, particularly at international level, shows that Wales is capable of producing top players, said Richard Gunney, Futsal Development Officer at the Welsh Football Trust. He feels that training methods like futsal can help continue the development of home grown talent.

“We must continuously learn and adapt to ensure we maximise the development of our young players in Wales at all ages and abilities, as football is always developing,” he said.

Friday 25 November, Sport Wales National Centre, Sophia Gardens

The game of Futsal, and how it can benefit Welsh players

“Essentially, Futsal is five-a-side football, which we in Wales have been playing for years, but with some refined conditions to support and enhance the link to football and development,” said Richard. These refinements, he explained, include a smaller ball with reduced bounce, a smaller pitch and smaller, square goals.

Futsal was forged on the hard, dusty streets of Montevideo and Sao Paulo, where space is at a premium. A highly technical game developed, which has been a part of players’ development in South American nations for many years, Richard said. “Players there learn to master ball control and fundamental movements of balance, coordination and agility from a young age. Having learned and developed these skills they progress to an 11-a-side pitch and begin to learn the game of football.”

[youtube width=”236″ height=”200″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOI9SjQpc_Q[/youtube]

A masterclass in ball possession during a Brazil v Argentina futsal match

Players in Wales are not exposed to playing and performing in small confined spaces under pressure, Richard said, explaining that in contrast to British players, European and South American players are coached to pass to marked teammates, ensuring the pass is placed accurately, away from the defender. “The culture in Wales and the rest of the UK is you only pass to a player in space, with no opponent close to him or her,” he said, “Players need to be exposed to receiving the ball under pressure, and be able to select the correct skill to perform in that circumstance.”

[youtube width=”236″ height=”200″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXIfRmAr4f0&feature=channel_video_title [/youtube]

Richard Gunney talks about futsal and its introduction into Welsh schools