Futsal is a global brand of football played primarily on hard court surfaces, with a heavier, smaller ball, and is rapidly growing in NZ. Futsal is an excellent way for players to develop their speed and foot skills and is widely used in the top international soccer clubs as the foundation of their youth football academies. Futsal has forged many of the world's greatest players the likes of Ronaldo, Xavi, Messi, Neymar and Ronaldinho. Futsal is hugely popular at the professional level across Europe and South America.
Because the sport is a great skill developer, demanding quick reflexes, fast thinking and pin point passing, it is an exciting game for children as well as adults. The game is very economical and safe, simple and fun to play. Just by playing with the ball develops precise ball control and technical skill, agility, lightening reflexes and decision making. As the balls have less bounce they tend to stay in play longer and promote close ball control. After playing in enclosed areas and learning to think and react quickly, players find when they play to the full game they react well under pressure. Playing in enclosed areas develops creativity; players are also constantly placed in demanding decision making situations in enclosed areas which is a major reason why Futsal is one of the finest teachers of the quick pass and move. In football it is very hard to defend against a team that is adept at this type of play. Playing the beautiful game of football is developed through Futsal.
Slide tackles and excessive bodily contact is forbidden in the modified game, which results in fewer injuries. It’s no surprise that the game is popular with children, teenagers and adults of both genders and is growing in popularity internationally.
Futsal quickly develops skills required for Football: - balance, motor ability, agility and co-ordination, ball mastery, accurate and quick passing and receiving, perception insight and awareness. Children learn through repetition and practice in small areas, this occurs naturally. As Futsal is fast and action packed, fitness is improved while learning and having fun. We find children love playing Futsal. It is exciting, many goals are scored, and the game is devoid of complex rules such as off side. Children learn so much faster if they enjoy the game and spend a lot of time playing with the ball.
"The technique of playing futsal is different to the eleven-a-side version; there are spectacular things you can attempt that you would not dare trying in football. It adds more fun to the discipline."
"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. It if wasn't for futsal, I wouldn't be the player I am today."
"For me, futsal is one of my passions, I always loved to play. Futsal helps a lot because you need to think quickly, it's a more dynamic game... and today, in Europe, there's not much space so you need to think quicker and futsal has helped me a lot with that."
"As a little boy in Argentina, I played futsal on the streets and for my club. It was tremendous fun, and it really helped me become who I am today."