Nov, 2007

FUTSAL, THE REAL INDOOR SOCCER
• The word Futsal comes from Fútbol+Sala (Spanish), or Futebol+Salão (Portuguese), meaning literally Football (Soccer) in a Room.

DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE
• Played 5v5, futsal gives each player more touches and a bigger role in the action than outdoor or 6v6 boarded indoor soccer. Kids love to be the star of the action.
• While kids naturally love to play, appreciating how to play soccer well is learned. Futsal cultivates this by concentrating all the excitement and learning situations of the outdoor game.
• Player development is epitomized in futsal, where the game is truly the teacher. Only good habits that elevate a player’s ability to play outdoor soccer are developed. The keys are the number of players, special low-bounce futsal ball and small court with out-of-bounds lines.
• Highly motivational for kids, the number of scoring opportunities and goals scored is greater in futsal than in outdoor or indoor soccer with walls.

SPEED OF PLAY
• Due to the limited space within the court, proximity of goals, constant pressure by opponents, and time limit of 4 seconds for restarts, players out-of-bounds line, or opponent always nearby, every decision needs consideration.
• Action is so continuous that players must continue playing instead of ball watching.
• Players love the challenge of futsal for its fast-paced, yet skill-orientated nature. All players enjoy maximizing their active participation while testing their abilities.

TECHNICAL BALL CONTROL SKILLS
• Players must master ball control skills and techniques, because of the limited space, proximity of out-of-bounds and goals, and constant pressure from opponents.
• Where the ball is always out of control in outdoor and indoor soccer, the smaller, low-bounce futsal ball is specially designed to develop control and technique.
• In a statistical study comparing futsal to indoor soccer with walls, players touch the ball 210% more often.

TACTICAL INTELLIGENCE
• As there are 4 court players and 1 goalkeeper per team, players can clearly see the consequences of their decisions, leading to efficient learning. All the fundamental tactics of 11v11 are present without over-complication due to 22 players sharing one field in outdoor soccer. Each player’s role in how and why a goal is created or prevented is easily demonstrated and understood, allowing for effective development of tactical intelligence.
• The four court players and goalkeeper provide all the basic tactical options of the 11v11 outdoor game, but none of the complicated tactics or rules that may hinder players involvement, such as off-sides.
• Without a wall as a crutch, teammates must time supporting positions and runs when their teammates have the ball.
• The laws of the game encourage skill and intelligence by punishing all physical contact fouls.

OFFICIAL INDOOR GAME
• Futsal is recognized as safer than outdoor or indoor with walls and more affordable than indoor with walls or turf, futsal is the official indoor game of FIFA.
• Playing futsal is joining the world in the recognized indoor soccer format
• Ronaldinho, Maradona, Pelé, Ronaldo, Messi, Robinho credit futsal for its critical role in developing their soccer talent.

____________________________________________________________________________________

Grasshopper Football, Grasshopper FC, Grasshopper Academy, and GFC Academy are trademarks or service marks, or registered trademarks or service marks for Grasshopper Football Club.