proust wrote:So some mates and me started a futsal team but we seem to having absolutely no success, given our total lack of experience.
I was wondering if anyone could help me out with some set-pieces or plays or even direct me to some good sites (I've done a search on Google but couldn't turn up anything) so we can add a bit more structure to our game and perhaps win one :)
Cheers
Hi ‘proust’,
I am assuming that the members of your team have played very little if any futsal prior to joining the competition. As such, it is important to understand that your team must play as an effective unit, since your team members probably can’t rely on individual skill levels to exceed in your team’s chosen competition.
Futsal is very fast paced, technical and enjoyable game. Therefore, if a team and it’s players can develop a good understanding between each other, such a team could become a very effective unit, the team doesn’t necessarily have to possess an abundance of individual skill.
Although individual skill takes time as well as training to develop, a simple technique that is generally considered essential is the use of the sole of the foot when controlling the ball, as such a technique offers increased control especially on smooth surfaces.
Without getting too complicated, I will briefly the most commonly used formation in the first years of development in the game (there are of course many others)
“2-2 – Consists of two defenders and two attackers
In attack the players occupy the corners of the attacking half court. In defence, the two defenders close in towards the penalty spot in the defensive half, while the attackers are wider and more advanced.
The defenders should be fast and skilful players
This is a good system for beginner’s because it enables them to get a feel for space in a game where maximum use of space is vital and because it enables them to experience a lot of I vs. 1 situations.
The advantages of the 2-2 formation are:
Easy to understand
Doesn’t require a high level of physical conditioning
Useful for opening up compact defences
Good for using a system of attack
Good for developing skills
The disadvantages of the 2-2 formation are:
Low level of support amongst players
Very vulnerable defensively, while attacking
Attackers have to be very skilled in one on one situations
Each player has to defend a great deal of space”
Source:
Tim Burns, Holistic Futsal: A total mind-body-spirit approach
Keep in mind, that regardless of whatever formation your team uses, the team members don’t necessarily have to play in the same position from the start for the duration of the game, players may switch however this should only occur if each team understands what to in whatever scenario presents itself and in whatever position on the court they be in.
• Playing as a unit
Each member of the team must perform their function, which means that
• Each member must both attack and defend as a unit
Each player (in some cases even the goalkeeper, if the team is losing with less than a half period remaining) must support the player with the ball, however when the ball is lost to the opposition, each player must man a player form the opposing team, with immediate urgency if the ball is lost in open play, as the danger in the opposition scoring is higher
• Utilize either zonal or a man to man defensive system
Zonal defence
When defending each team member is required to mark the nearest opposing team member, and stay with their opposing team member until their opposing team member moves to another position/zone or until the ball is won
Man to man
When defending each team member is required to mark the opposing team member that plays in the corresponding position, regardless of where the corresponding team member is positioned
• Supporting your team mates
It is important to note that in each of the different approaches below, that sharpness is essential, the sharper and the more aware/focused the player utilising the below approaches, the more effective the results will prove to be.
• When in space
Stay in space anticipating a pass when your teammate has possession of the ball, then suddenly and quickly approach your teammate to receive a pass. Alternatively, this movement - if the player making the run to support the player with the ball has a marker – could open space up behind him/closer to the opponents goal, since the movement of an opposition player
• When being marked by an opposing player
Whether you are positioned behind, to the side or in front of your opponent you can send your opponent the wrong way, by checking or by giving him/her a dummy run. One can do this by making a sudden lunge one way (if you are behind your opponent or can see him, then you know if he/she has taken the bait) and then move in the opposite direction (towards your team mate with the ball)
From personal experience both methods in ‘Supporting your team mates’ work at almost every single attempt.
Some sites that you might find helpful are:
http://www.futsalonline.comhttp://www.futsalplanet.com/home/index.aspAnyway, give it some time, I am sure that individually and as a team you will improve the more often and longer you play the game.
Good luck with the team and I hope I helped…