WHY IS FUTSAL SO GOOD FOR YOUNG PLAYERS

In this article, you’ll discover the Soccer IQ Academy Futsal program and explore how futsal benefits the development of youth soccer players.

Over the past three years, SIQ has been deeply committed to coaching futsal, and our passion for the game continues to grow. Futsal is not only a thrilling sport but also an exceptional tool for developing soccer skills in young players. At SIQ, we take our responsibility seriously, with our coaches dedicating themselves to studying the game daily to ensure our players receive the best possible experience. We’ve established a year-round partnership with one of the nation’s top futsal clubs, “Toque Futsal Club” from Los Angeles. Our head coach, Tolya, frequently attends their practices in Los Angeles, and all SIQ coaches follow a curriculum developed in collaboration with Toque’s expert coaches. During the last two years, Toque’s directors, Luis Macias, Val Mendez, and Tylor Magdaleno, visited Denver to lead the most advanced and successful SIQ Futsal camps and worked closely with SIQ teams to better prepare them for national championship tournaments. SIQ teams receive over 55 training sessions throughout the year and compete in various local and out-of-state tournaments. Through futsal, SIQ offers young players an exciting opportunity to hone their technical skills, improve their speed of play, and thrive in a competitive environment!

As we start another season of futsal, we want to dwell on the unique ways futsal helps cultivate young athletes’ game intelligence. While there’s already a wealth of material on the benefits of futsal, we’re focusing on how it specifically enhances players’ decision-making and overall soccer IQ. This article highlights why we strongly recommend futsal for every serious soccer player.

Ability to keep the ball while looking for options

Futsal is a fast-paced game played in tight spaces, which puts players under constant pressure. A player typically has two choices in such situations: pass the ball or dribble. However, when neither option is ideal—perhaps teammates aren’t open or space is closing down—top futsal players excel at maintaining control under pressure while continuing to search for the best solution. The game’s speed and spatial constraints create an optimal environment to develop this crucial skill. In futsal, the situation on the field changes rapidly, requiring players to remain composed on the ball while evaluating their options. This ability is equally critical in 11v11 soccer, where world-class midfielders like Luka Modrić, Andrés Iniesta, Zinedine Zidane, and Toni Kroos stand out for their composure and decision-making under pressure.

Constant Decision-Making in High-Pressure Situations

The pace of futsal demands that players make quick decisions on the field. With only four outfield players per team, each player is heavily involved in every play, constantly making decisions both on and off the ball. In contrast, during an 11v11 soccer match, not every player is directly involved in every action. In futsal, however, a single disengaged player can significantly hamper the team’s performance, as it effectively reduces the team’s effectiveness by 25%. Therefore, everyone must be actively engaged, continually making decisions. This is akin to how key players in top soccer teams—such as Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne at Manchester City or Pedri and Gavi at Barcelona—are always seeking to influence the game, maintaining involvement in every phase of play. Lionel Messi’s constant involvement with Inter Miami is another example of this high-level engagement.

The Importance of the off-the-ball Movement

When a player has possession in futsal, there are only three teammates available for a pass. Therefore, the movement and positioning of players without the ball become crucial. Given the tight spaces and constant pressure, finding an open space to receive the ball and advance play is a challenging task. Successful futsal players must master the art of “losing” their defenders and positioning their bodies to play forward. However, it’s not just about “how” to move; it’s about “when” to make that movement. The timing of off-the-ball actions is critical:
• Moving too early means the player will be marked when the ball arrives.
• Moving too late means the pass will never reach its target.
Exceptional futsal players understand both the technique and the timing of their movements. This skill is equally vital in 11v11 soccer, especially for forwards. A mistimed run can result in an offside call or an intercepted pass, but perfect timing can lead to a scoring opportunity.

Players like Luis Suárez, Erling Haaland, Robert Lewandowski, Vinícius Júnior, and Kylian Mbappé consistently demonstrate the importance of well-timed movement and they are the best attacking players in the world.

Rewarding Skills and Creativity

Futsal presents constant 1v1 situations, offering players numerous opportunities to beat their defenders. The game encourages these challenges, as successfully overcoming a defender often leads directly to a scoring chance. In these tight situations, players can’t simply rely on athleticism; they need exceptional ball control and creativity. These elements are crucial for developing strong 1v1 skills and creative play, especially in confined spaces.

In 11v11 soccer, we admire players known for their exceptional dribbling and creativity, such as Ronaldinho and Neymar, both of whom honed their skills in futsal during their formative years.

Developing Quick Finishing Abilities

Due to the small field size, finishing in futsal often requires quick, one-touch actions. With smaller goals and well-positioned goalkeepers, players must focus their shots on placement over power to find the open corners of the net. This ability to finish quickly and accurately is rare, requires a high soccer IQ, and is highly valuable in soccer. Futsal provides an excellent training ground for developing this skill.

Conclusions

We hope this article highlights the tremendous value futsal can offer to every young soccer player. While futsal is a distinct sport with its techniques—such as receiving the ball with the sole of the foot, which is less common in traditional soccer—it offers benefits that far outweigh these differences. Most importantly, futsal is an incredibly fun and exciting game that players truly enjoy!

SIQ Futsal team tryouts

For competitive-level players only! Elevate your game and join the highly competitive SIQ Futsal teams for the 2024-2025 season! Dive into the fast-paced, technical, and exhilarating world of futsal, where you’ll sharpen your skills, and tactical knowledge and will compete with the top players and clubs in America at the national level.

Starting in September, SIQ teams will train every Sunday, ensuring consistent improvement and preparation. Plus, you’ll have the exciting opportunity to participate in several in-state and out-of-state tournaments throughout the season! Don’t miss out on this chance to be part of an elite team, develop your game, and make unforgettable memories. Join us and become a part of the SIQ Futsal family!

August 18 and 25 (two Sundays)

Players (boys and girls) born in 2016 – 2017: 3:30pm – 5pm

Players (boys and girls) born in 2015: 5pm – 6:30pm

Players (boys and girls) born in 2013-2014: 6:30pm – 8pm

This schedule might change depending on the amount of interest in each age group.

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We look forward to your participation and to cultivating a rich dialogue about soccer. Stay tuned for more insightful discussions on our Blog!