Hot Links from the Futsal Griddle

Specialized futsal goalie training

That's Andy, second from the left, during a training trip to Brazil.

There’s not a whole lot out there for futsal-specific goalie training until Andy Reading came along and started sharing some of his techniques on You Tube and his Facebook page. Most of you have read about Andy here before, but for those who haven’t, he’s a former English international keeper who has transitioned to full-time training around the world. He’s done clinics for the English National Teams, a number of English futsal clubs, the New Zealand National Team, a Brazilian professional club and recently in France. Here’s a sample of what he does:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7V9rPYA6nLI&feature=youtu.be

In many of his techniques, he’ll take specific kinds of blocks or saves  – in this one, for example, split-leg saves – and work them into a drill where the keeper moves from post to post performing both blocks, area coverage and memory-reinforcing repetition. Here, the keeper picks up two cones at one post then shuttles to put them down at the other. Complicated? Not really. Learn more at Andy’s Facebook page. It’s a good place to learn of other futsal contacts, as well.

http://www.facebook.com/rewreading?ref=ts&fref=ts

 

Rondo, the keep-a-way warmup Barcelona-style

Almost every professional and national team does this as a pre-game warm-up, but we didn’t know it had a name. It's something futsal teams use, as well, to prepare for the speed of play. The Rondo – we Americans like to refer to it

as “monkey in the middle” or keep-a-way – has more value, Johan Cruyff and author Stan Baker say, they just breaking a sweat before the game. You can read about it in Soccer America’s blog at http://www.socceramerica.com/article/50661/rondo-a-simple-practice-game-with-multiple-benefi.html#reply

You might want to watch how quickly Barcelona performs a pre-game Rondo. The players are so intent on winning the back that they slide as if in a game. And, of course, Messi has done this a million times but he’s still smiling!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RNfaIW5k1g

Of course, the sliding something you’d want to emphasize in a pre-game warm-up for futsal

For coaches, SA’s Youth Soccer Insider blog is a good source of information about training, motivation and other aspects of coaching, including “Getting Players to Pay Attention,” which we still haven’t learned to master. You can subscribe to the free newsletter and others at the Rondo link above.

 

Can futsal save football for the Three Lions?

Bobby Moore lofted the World Cup trophy in 1966.

In England, they take their football seriously, and at least one publication views futsal as its national team savior. 
Although soccer has achieved much in the U.S. and Canada - US Soccer, for example, now includes futsal in its national youth curriculum - England's fervor to reclaim its glory years in the outdoor game exceeds from we North Americans can understand. 

Follow this link to take a read and see what one publication has to say about the connection between futsal and the outdoor game.

http://www.sabotagetimes.com/reportage/futsal-is-the-key-to-england-football-team-ending-all-the-years-of-hurt/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=futsal-is-the-key-to-england-football-team-ending-all-the-years-of-hurt