“It’s just as competitive as football if not more”. England Futsal Player Steven Harrison answered when I asked him where Futsal sits next to England’s biggest sporting passion. On the surface Futsal looks like a 5-a-side version of football but there are many differences. Steven pointed out some of them, “The speed of thought and the speed of the game. You have to be aware of the players all the time because there’s no off side rule”. Unlike in football, players play for about 3 or 4 minutes before a substitute takes over in a roll on and off fashion. This is because the game is so intense and needs maximum energy and concentration.

Despite the full on nature of Futsal there are no sly tackles so “players are not so aggressive”. A Futsal ball is smaller than a football and has less bounce, which is better for skills, improvisation and technique - important to the Futsal game. There are no ‘throw-ins’, instead the ball is kicked into court from the touch line, known as a ‘kick in’. The court is small, often wooden or spongy and defined by lines rather than walls or boards that a player may use to rebound the ball. The speed of the game also requires Futsal has several referees. Matches are played in 20 minute halves. Each team is allowed 1 ‘time-out’ of just 1 minute.

Popularity

Futsal is said to have been invented in 1930s Uruguay and has been widely played in Central America and Europe for many years. Here in the UK, as it’s yet to become hugely popular, we could be forgiven for thinking it’s not a professional game with serious competition. So I was impressed to find out that it’s the only 5-a-side game recognised by UEFA and FIFA who have been investing in the sport for some years now. The first Futsal FIFA World Cup was held in Holland in 1989 and takes place every 4 years just like the Football Cup. UEFA stage their own championships for both local clubs and national sides. As a result Futsal tournaments are becoming common place worldwide and not just in the countries that it’s been popular in for many years.

Perhaps the biggest growth country is in fact England with our very own region helping to establish the game for future generations through Sheffield and Hallamshire FA. Since the FA created a National side in 2003, Futsal has steadily grown through local leagues and national finals. In 2004 Sheffield & Hallam Futsal Club won the national finals, which have since moved to Sheffield. Not only has this been great for our region but has meant many local children and young people are being introduced to Futsal at an early age through the local Futsal development programme now in place. Within our region alone, the number of small-sided teams is up a massive 30% on last year.

Benefits of Futsal while we’re still young

The fact that the likes of Pele, Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos and Ronaldinho were weaned on Futsal, has undoubtedly contributed to them being amongst the most skilled football players in the world. The FA are well aware of what a great development tool it is, especially for children, which is why they are supporting and promoting Futsal through community channels. Aside from the many skills that come out of the style of game, Steven told me of the idea in Futsal of ‘No fear’, where you get the ball and have a go. “You try to go around people or take them on or learn new skills’. That’s how you become a better player”. The likes of Pele and Ronaldo certainly seem to ooze the no fear factor.

I hadn’t expected how quick and exciting Futsal would actually be. Its size and need for speed clearly make it so much more extreme than football. As a football fan and player I have to admit I don’t think that you can get all this from footie alone and the fact that you can almost score from anywhere makes it seem like you don’t have a position and can show off your individual skills. I imagine playing this sport over time can really give you a huge amount of confidence. Just listening to how passionate Steven is about Futsal made me want to play it and fast!

The future

With Futsal in England becoming increasingly popular, it’s not rocket science to see that there is going to be a good future for English Futsal. Up until now, we haven’t done that well in terms of international success, but as Steven was keen to point out “We’re a new nation to it. Teams like Uruguay have been around for about 80 years, so to compete at their level requires a lot from us as players. That’s why we need children to start playing it”. And with the FA’s National tournaments, purpose-built facilities and promotion of the sport to young people, the future does look bright for English Futsal and for Futsal here in Yorkshire. The more we play it, the more we’ll be ready for international success. Fancy yourself as the next Pele? Get playing Futsal then!

By Alex Gee

How can young people have a go or watch Futsal?

For information about Futsal and where to play in South Yorkshire visit www.SheffieldFA.com or call 0114 241 4999.
You can also watch FA Regional League North matches held in Sheffield at venues across the city – information available from Sheffield and Hallamshire FA.

www.TheFA.com also has lots of information about Futsal.

Eurosport covers European and world Futsal Competitions, check listings for further details.

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