Futsal & Futsal Proper: Differences And Benefits Of A Key Development Tool

Written by Chris Rue, Rush Soccer’s Global Futsal Manager.

Over the past decade, we have witnessed the acceptance of futsal as a key development tool in a coach’s toolbox for young players. The benefits of the game truly aid in the creation of anticipation players which is vital for success.

Some players always seem to have time and space on the field. This is the result of anticipating the play and having imaginative solutions prior to the arrival of the action. I’ve come to find that how we get these results is more a debate on futsal and proper futsal. Let me explain.

Proper Futsal is a 5v5 game (GK with 4 field players a side) played on a hard surface with an age appropriately sized and weighted ball; referees, scoreboard, time clock, FIFA rules i.e., no back pass to GK rule, registrations, red and yellow cards, age groups, proper goal sizes and all the other RULES to make the game official. While this is an important part in the development pyramid for a player, it should not be the main staple.

The main course that young players need is Futsal in the purest sense, free play or what we will call Streetz. This can be any game where the players decide and maintain the rules. They take ownership of the game. They resolve disputes. They try and fail without consequence.  They learn what works and what doesn’t.

This can be as simple as a 2v2 to a 13v13 game. It can have different ages competing. It can have games that are timed and some that achieve flow state and go on for 2 hours.  It can have mixed genders. It can have different sized goals.  It can have different balls. It can have different sized fields. This is where the magic happens. Savvy, creative, anticipation players are made in these environments. It is up to us as coaches to facilitate them.