What is Futsal?
Futsal is a fast paced, small-sided football game that originated in South America in the 1930s and is officially recognised by UEFA and FIFA. The game highly focuses on the individual’s technical ability and quick decision making under high pressure situations and is subsequently an excellent foundation for developing the basics of football.
The Benefits
Futsal is played with five players on each team. This allows children within futsal drills and games to have more touches on the ball than they would in a regular game of football. Children have more opportunities to focus on skills such as passes, control, fakes, feints, and dribbling as research indicates that children will receive the ball six times more than they would in a regular football match. Futsal is a game that naturally brings young players into one versus one (1v1) situations, which encourages quick decision making or technical skills to overcome these situations. The balls used in futsal are weighted which supports young children’s development as the ball stays closer to the feet and this aids the players in technical development. The Football Association states that one of the core elements of futsal is ball retention due to instant pressure from opponents and the consistent threat of a counter-attack which naturally supports a child being confident whilst having the ball at their feet.
Bangkok Patana’s Football Academy offers a recreational and selective pathway at all age groups from Under 9 to Varsity. The Academy’s aim is to develop players with areal game understanding which will include the four principles of play: attacking, transition to attack, defending and transition to defend. A growth mindset is encouraged to create an enduring passion for learning the game. The programme takes place before and after school as well as on Saturdays. Students regularly participate in fixtures against other international schools as well as other academy teams from around Bangkok, including those hailing from Thai professional leagues.
Quotes From The Pros
“During my childhood in Portugal, all we played was Futsal. The small playing area helped me improve my close control, and whenever I played Futsal I felt free. If it wasn’t for Futsal, I wouldn’t be the player I am today.”
Cristiano Ronaldo, 106 games & 43 goals for Portugal.
“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 and 1970
Brandon Grady, Assistant Head Football Coach, Bangkok Patana.
