2026 winter futsal training

Although a sport in its own right, there are a number of benefits that can be gained by encouraging young footballers to play futsal, as part of a balanced training programme, that improves overall technical development. The nature of the ball promotes ball mastery and the indoor surface means that the game is quick and intense, with limited time for decision making. Angles and spaces dominate the game whilst players develop creativity and vision that help them pass and move as a group thus developing game intelligence. 

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Futsal develops masters of the ball, creative masters of the ball. Futsal develops intelligent players; intelligent, thinking players.

Futsal is FIFA and UEFA’s recognized format of 5-a-side football. Played inside on a court with a smaller, heavier ball that encourages ball mastery and ball control, the game is played with rhythm and speed that creates quick and controlled pass and move combinations. 

This fantastic, dynamic and enjoyable form of soccer has helped turn some of the world’s greatest players, including Andres Iniesta, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, into the players they are today. 

• In futsal, the ball has 30% less bounce than a normal soccer ball.
• Another difference in futsal is that there is no slide tackling, no off-sides, and you are allowed to substitute players on the fly while the game is being played.
• These are some of the qualities that attract so many players to the game of futsal, whereas in soccer, the momentum of play is stopped while substitutions are being made.
• Furthermore, playing futsal allows you to touch the ball nearly twelve times more than playing outdoor soccer.
• According to a FIFA report, “an average 40-minute futsal game, a player will touch the ball roughly every 29 seconds, or 80 touches.”
• Now compare that to a 90-minute outdoor soccer game where it’s only around 30-40 touches; that is more than double in just half the time.
• The game places considerable demand on technique, movement and tactical awareness.
• Additionally, U.S. Futsal says that “futsal is therefore a great skill developer, and demands quick reflexes, fast thinking, and pinpoint passing.
• The speed of play is such that you are forced to make quicker technical and tactical decisions.”