What is Futsal?

Futsal is a variant of football which is played on a hard surface court, mainly indoors (although can be played outdoors). The court is bounded by lines, unlike 5 a side where walls can be used,

It is played between two teams of five players with unlimited substitutions. A maximum of twelve players can be used during each match. The ball used is normally a size 4 with a low bounce compared to standard footballs.

The combination of the hard surface, low bounce and general rules tend to create an environment where good ball control and quick accurate passing, often in small spaces, helps to develop a players ability to improvise, be creative and improve their technique.

Sedgley and Gornal United Futsal

Over the next couple of years the club will be developing futsal as one of a number of options to its community either to be played on its own or for helping to develop young players creativity and skills to improve their 11 a side game.

Currently we have two futsal teams at U10 and U8 and it is planned to develop more teams across the age ranges for both boys and girls.

Initially the teams are competing in the Birmingham futsal league with matches played on a Friday evening.

For anyone that is interested in their children playing futsal or anyone that would like to develop as a futsal coach please get in contact with Kevin Walker on 07403 255063 or e-mail kevin.walker@sgufc.co.uk

10 REASONS TO PLAY FUTSAL

  1. BENEFITS- futsal requires the same basic skills, knowledge and tactics as the outdoor 11 v 11 version of football
  2. TOUCHES OF THE BALL – Following statistical studies comparing futsal to traditional small sided variants of the game played with boundary walls it was found that players, touch the ball 210% more often on average.
  3. BALL CONTROL – With limited space, continuos pressure from opponents and touch line a player is required to improve their ball control skills and technique.
  4. SPEED OF PLAY AND DECISION MAKING – As a result of factors mentioned above and the four second restart rule that is applied players learn to think and play faster.
  5. MANDATORY SUPPORT – As there is no wall to play off or use to reduce space to play in, players are required to make numerous supporting runs to assist their teammates when they have the ball.
  6. CONTINUITY – Play is continuous and just as in basketball the clock stops each time the ball is out of play but must resume within 4 seconds, which means that players do not have time to stop and watch play develop.
  7. KNOWLEDGE – with four pitch players and containing all the options demonstrated in the outdoor 11 v 11 game in a non stop action mode, players understanding of the requirements of a game is enhanced.
  8. IMPROVED SHOOTING – The goal and the penalty area are the perfect size for narrowing the angle so players learn how to shoot accurately to score goals.
  9. ENCOURAGED LEARNING – The laws  of the game applied to futsal encourage a skilled sport by punishing all physical contact fouls
  10. ITS FUN! – Players enjoy the challengeof playing a fast paced , fun and skill orientated game that tests their abilities.