Futsal Essay

Futsal v Football

A theoretical and practical review of how the principles of Futsal could beimplemented into the coaching of English youth football players to developtechnical ability?Introduction

The Football Association (FA) is in charge of developing English football. In 2007they established the National Game Strategy to develop grassroots football. One keygoal states ‘to develop better players, focusing on improving the quality of the 5-11age group’ (The FA, 2007). To do this effectively the FA needs to provide highquality training for children (The FA, 2007). Although, this goal puts emphasis onimproving youth coaching, it overlooks ways to improve the playing standards of youth football.This situation was compounded in November 2007 by the nation’s failure to qualifyfor football’s 2008 European Championships, accentuating problems that had, untilnow, been covered up - most significantly, that English players are not technicallygood enough. Subsequently, the FA encountered a lot of criticism regarding their current youth development set up.

‘Unless you (England) change your whole approach to football, nothing will get better... the most important thing that can happen to English players isthat they improve their technique’

(Carlos Alberta, 2007).A seemingly fundamental problem of English football is that it does not provide players the opportunity to develop a good level of technical and tactical skills. Anumber of reasons have been suggested to explain this situation. For example, in the professional game there is an overcrowding of foreign players restricting home grown players participating at the highest level. This problem was highlighted by a report in2007 stating ‘Since the start of the 2002-03 season, only 53 English players havemade Premier League debuts’. This suggests that the technical ability coming throughforeign youth systems is far superior to our own. In an interview with West HamCoach Kevin Keen, he stated this was because their sessions were completelytechnically orientated.

Futsal v Football

‘I went to Holland and the main thing I saw was keep ball drills, all about moving the ball, tackling didn’t exist…’

Unfortunately, English football is structured around physical strength and speed,neglecting the importance of technique. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger (2006)emphasises that

‘

The most important thing for under 14s is technique...’ Yet, if English coaching continues to promote the physical qualities in youth football aheadof technique, the style of football the nation will play will remain one-dimensionaland continue to restrict the development of players to retain possession under pressureor play in other positions. Furthermore, from experience as a football coach, Iregularly observe qualified coaches instructing young players ‘do this do that’ a stylethat hinders creativity and individuality. This is justified by Potrac et al, (2007) whofound, when observing four top English coaches, that instruction represented almost55% of a coach’s behaviour, whereas visual demonstration made up just 3%.A strong youth development programme, according to Brazilian World Cup WinningCoach Carlos Alberto Parreira (2007), is imperative to producing new talent. ‘Playersare built in clubs... It is not about Pele, Kaka, Ronaldinho - it is about the system that produces them’.

This is what the FA must recognise, and, although changes to thegame and society are variables that they can not necessarily control, it is possible tocontrol the way the next generation of young players are developed. Therefore, tosuggest that fundamental changes to the coaching framework in English football arerequired is by no means a rash statement.This section has highlighted weaknesses in English football specifically relating to theFA’s apparent neglect to develop young players technically. Consequently, asBrooking (2007) states ‘Young English teenage players are technically behind their counterparts in leading countries across the world’. Appropriately, the next sectionreviews literature on countries such as Brazil who have created youth systems that produce technically gifted young players and how a similar system could beintegrated into English football. The main findings relate to a game called Futsal and I believe introducing Futsal as an integral part of the FA’s youth development schemewould enhance the technique of English players.

Futsal v Football

Futsal – Can it make England a better football team?

Futsal is a five-a-side game, played with a smaller ball with reduced bounce that isrecognised by FIFA (football’s world governing body). The playing area is smaller and constantly places players in situations where they must play under pressure inconfined spaces, placing considerable demand on technique, tactical awareness andfitness (The FA, 2008). Futsal originated in Uruguay during the 1930s and today is played by over 30 million people worldwide. Former Brazilian player Goncalves(1998, p.94) states ‘Futsal is excellent for developing technique, in particular the fastmovements with and without the ball’.

Literature Review

The English approach to coaching young players’ football currently neglects technicaland tactical skill acquisition. As a coach, I work hard to develop my player’stechnique, their understanding of the game and their ability to solve problems toencourage them to be creative, an attribute in short supply in young English players.In contrast, many young foreign players play Futsal, as its dynamics promote greater technical and tactical expertise. This is illustrated in a short case study of Futsal inBrazil. I am using a case study as it will help to gain a holistic understanding of theissues (Gratton & Jones, 2004) surrounding Futsal and how they relate to developing players.Futsal in BrazilIn Brazil Futsal is a major part of youth development and is credited for nurturinggreat players. At a young age, Brazilian children are playing small sided football in parks and shanty towns and by the time they are 9 or 10 are introduced to organisedFutsal at local clubs and play up to the ages of 16 before moving into football.Brazilian Coach Parreira (2007) claims the youth development programme in Brazil isessential to the success of Brazilian players.