Benefits of Futsal

Futsal Benefits

Futsal is a FUN fast-paced game that will help develop a youth player better than any other indoor format and these benefits are transferable to the outside game. “The best teacher of the game of soccer is the game itself” and futsal provides an environment the constantly teaches. To run a futsal program, a club only needs a hard surface. You don’t need a grass field. Smaller teams also allows clubs to run programs when their off-season numbers are low. It is an ideal way for a club to keep players active and touching the soccer ball regardless of weather or climate. 

Technique

Futsal provides players with more touches on the ball and more opportunities to develop foot skills and improve first touch. A Liverpool University study concluded futsal players touch the ball as much as 6 times more often per minute than outdoor full-field soccer players and a Sao Paolo University study concluded a futsal player will have 600% more touches on the ball than a soccer player. This inherently helps players master their touch on the ball.  

Tactical Awareness

Futsal improves the quality of and the speed with which players make decisions. It’s fast-paced and continuous nature helps to improve a player’s spatial intelligence and ability to learn to read the game. A player’s head is always up and always on a swivel. Players are constantly taking in and processing information, anticipating the opponent’s next move, and looking to exploit weaknesses on the court.  This inherently encourages players to move on and off the ball, create space and support teammates to combine out of pressure.

Fitness 

Because futsal is so much quicker and played in a much tighter space, player’s must react quicker. This increases their foot speed and agility and provides players more opportunities to develop strength, endurance, and flexibility. The heavier ball also increases the power of players.

Mentality

Futsal helps players become more comfortable and confident on the ball. It provides opportunities for children to discover their own skills and own their own development! Perhaps the single most important reason to play futsal is that it encourages players to be creative and think out of the box. Because the court is smaller and you get so many more touches on the ball, players try things that they would never risk doing on the soccer field.