Futsal is the real deal. Futsal can help develop an all round footballer, but what is it?

Futsal is effectively indoor football, which is highly recognised in South America. Many of the best footballers, ever, have given credit for this game as it has helped them develop their technical attributes. Don't believe me? Here are two quotes from two footballers you may have heard of:

“During my childhood in Portugal,all we played was Futsal. The small playing area helped me improve my close control, and whenever I played Futsal I felt free. If it wasn't for Futsal, I wouldn't be the player I am today" - Cristiano Ronaldo

“As a little boy in Argentina, I played futsal on the streets and for my club. It was tremendous and it really helped and whenever I played futsal I felt free.- Lionel Messi

There are many other players who hone in on futsal as the key in developing them into the footballers they are today.

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The Benefits of Futsal

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Here are just some of the benefits of futsal has shown.

1. Confidence - A huge part of the focus of futsal is to get players to take on their opponents. This push forces players to be creative, induces flair and instills confidence not just for individual players, but the team.
2. Power - In futsal, power is key, as the ball is heavier, it forces the players to hit the ball harder. Whether you are looking to pass the ball, shoot or cross, due to the weight of the ball, a more powerful kick is required. When transfering to a football, there will be a visible difference.
3. Touches - The more time you have with ball, the better you will become. Period. training in futsal provides players with more touches on the ball, six times more according to Simon Clifford, author of The Talent Code. Whether that is in training or in the match, the more time you can get on the ball, the better you will become.
4. Reactions - Simply put, no space plus no time equals better skill. When futsal players play, they are looking for quick touches, passes and shots, regardless of how close an opposing player is.  
5. Decision Making - What happens when you have no time to decide what option to choose out of all the possible options? You choose the quickest option or you get tackled. Hick's Law states "increasing the number of choices will increase the decision time logarithmically." Meaning, over time with training, you must improve your decision making, which is what futsal is designed to do!

Hick's Law: Credit to uxplanet.org for image rights

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Don't just take our word for it, just look at these facts and statistics when compared to 11-a-side football:

1. Players touch the ball 5/6 times more.
2. Goalkeepers are involved two to four times more.
3. The ball is out of play only 8-10% of the time, when compared to 34% of the time in football.
4. Improves decision making, reaction time and spatial awareness.
5. Players have less time on the ball.
6. Develops both attacking and defending aspects.

What do you think? We are years away, however with the help of futsal, the next Ronaldo or Messi be British? Leave a comment below and if you think this could help, share this with any promising footballers you know.