FUTSAL FUTSAL FUTSAL
r e v e F
The First Futsal Magazine in U.K
Tactics
Futsal Fever is pleased to share our trhird edition. Hope. you enjoy it and it can serve as a great tool of knowledge to readers, players and coaches in the UK. Sincerely, Futsal Fever Team.
Zego
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Physiology
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The Queen of Futsal
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Peter Sturgess
The best one in U.K
Jose Antonio Azevedo Often with every change that occurs in the rules of Futsal comes a new tactical solution. The permanent evolution of the game’s systems generates new movements, formed from the coaches who study to create new behaviours in their teams to get wins against their opponents. This evolution depends mainly on this continuous study and the correct tactical implementation in their teams. When a new movement has positive results and it is adopted by other coaches it becomes a game system, as happened with the 3.1, 2.2, 1.3 and 1.2.2 systems. The famous 4.0 offensive system, or better known as four in line, is one of the most recent and favourite game systems adopted by many renowned coaches around the world. This system of four in line with it’s offensive characteristics was created and presented in Spain by a Brazilian coach named Jose Antonio Azevedo, known by many as Zego. Zego left Brazil many years ago to work in Spain with a team in the first division where he established the offensive system 4.0 and helped the Spanish national team win two Futsal World Cups with his innovative discovery.
Zego
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4 In Line
In Brazil this system has been used more recently due to the exchange of players and coaches who have worked in the Spanish leagues where Zego’s tactic is employed. Today many teams in Brazil and also in Europe use this fabulous system of play. The system of four in line or 4.0 is highly selective and requires athletes to have excellent ball control as well as great passing ability to achieve good results. The 4.0 is the most modern system that exists today. His initial placement of four players in line in their own half and the combination of this system with 2.2 or 3.1 system is very effective during a match and causes confusion in the marking responsibilities of the opposition. Since this movement was created there has been a stunning development in the physical condition of players. This has improve as this system of play requires a high level of speed, dribbling, controlling and other demans. The offensive 4.0 system is characterised by the space created behind the opponent’s defence. Accurate passes are made close to the defensive line and, most of the time, received behind the defence, especially to free spaces. This formation is very good to create 2v2 and 1v1 situations. Feinting, diagonals, parallels and blocks are the fundamental characteristics of this system. Simultaneous runs to the parallel and across are important to attack defences formed in the 1.2.1. or diamond formation. These short runs cause the opposing team to constantly move their defence and make quick decisions on the correct type of marking. It is very good system to employ because it facilitates deep passes in between defenders. The 4.0 system requires more versatile players as they must be able to play in all positions in both the central and wide areas of the court. Options of attack are varied and it necessitates simultaneous coordination and harmony of the four players positioned in a line. 5
One of the great advantages of the 4.0 system is that we can combat teams that mark using full pressure with quick movement and a good pass to create advantageous positions such as 1v1 situations. As mentioned previously this offensive system makes the opposing team seek for a unique way of defending but if they select individual man to man marking they are subject to an enormous physical stress and become even more vulnerable. But the offensive system has its disadvantages. Some teams defend deep and compact making it harder to penetrate. It can also be dangerous when in possession with four in line and then losing the ball as you will find yourself without defensive cover. Not to mention that in this system the movements without the ball are important, as well as actions on the ball and the quality of passing. Without these details and co-ordination, the offensive 4.0 system can become very difficult to implement.
Important tips for the offensive four in line system: - Never be in a hurry to make a play. - Avoid standing stationary on the court. - Maintain eye contact with your team mate especially if he has the ball. - Never think that the ball is lost. - Find the passing lines behind the opponent’s defence. - Force the opposition to the position of the court that suits you. - Anticipate the defender’s actions to surprise them. - Always know you are able to go past defender before risking dribbling. - Help team mates with blocks and changes of direction. - Use multiple and varied body feints. - Always keep the maximum concentration on the action. - Be unselfish when your team mate is in a better position.
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A The center players 2 passing the ball fast and very accurate and feith a long movement in diagonal but them he’s back on the wing side where another feith movement will be done for the player 1 that get his positon on the center. This rotation is part of the 4.0 scheme and the first step to attack effectively.
Movement Ball Passing
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B This action shows that the center player 2 rather them pass the ball to the opposit center player 3, he did pass to the rigth wing 4. Once he did take that decision the opposit center player 3 leave his position on diagonal and at the same time the other center play 2 that passes the ball leave his position to another diagonal. The left wing 1 comes to the center position to make the defense balance. Player 4 has two options; paralel or diagonal pass.
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Who is Zego? According to the European media he is considered the best coach in the world. With over 40 years experience in futsal, Zego is 55 years old and was born in Sao Paulo Brazil. His curriculum is extensive. A a player Zego played for Corinthians-SP, PalmeirasSP, Newells Old Boy’s from Argentina and the Brazilian National Team from 1973 to 1978, with several titles in his career. He has taught courses for training coaches in 16 countries. He is the author of a book called “Futsal Attacking Movements”. And of course he is the creator of the 4.0 system, widely known as “four-in-line”.
In my beginnings as a coach, in Ponta Pora, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil in 1982, I observed that I could make my teams compete with high ambitions and without complexities against those of a higher level. I noticed that I would have to steadily improve them in two key respects by significantly improving individual technique and movement to retain the ball despite being constantly pressed. It was a big challenge because my teams were completely amateur. The players were very humble and with difficult lives and were very surprised by my interest in them. These people moved me very much. The human qualities were impressive. True sportsmen that at the end of every day after working would train at night in our open aired arena with dedication and a lot of mosquitoes! “These times have given me memories that I will take with me everywhere that futsal is played.”
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‘‘During this time I realised that in the tactical sense that if I could bring the pivot backwards to achieve numerical superiority and have an extra man in support I would have more chance to win. So I did and the players being in line started to be incredibly effective but what is very important to note was that in the evolution of the 4.0 movements there were lots of variations of a 4.0 to a 3.1 or a 2.2, overlaps, parallel, diagonal, double movements, etc...’’ In any method of play there must be pre designed movements. The player, at this point, needs to think to make quick and appropriate reading of the possible solutions, improving and developing fast and efficient reasoning. I knew that most of the best teams since the start of the game were going to press and we needed to impose ourselves, not losing the ball but with mastery of the game. The technical segment gave special emphasis to the non-dominant leg at a ratio of 90% to 10% of the dominant leg. All practiced at various times and during different sessions which involved a lot of sacrifices. I looked for good passing, good control, clear vision, definition and a quality shot to further develop a fast game. A big mistake of the past 20 years in world futsal was the thought that the competitive athlete after a certain age does not need to practice the fundamentals. The current training is focused on two aspects only, physical conditioning and mechanised tactics. For this reason the champions within and outside Brazil persists. Malwee, Interviu, Benfica, etc. The only way to achieve results with a smaller budget is with training of superior quality, care and appropriate monitoring of the smaller technical details. The four in line system during those ten years, simply went unnoticed among Brazilian and European coaches of the time. It was only after Spain won two world titles that they were awakened to the offensive possibilities that this system offered in Brazil and other countries.
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Futsal is a sport of Brazilian creation and occupies a prominent place in Brazil and worldwide. In futsal the tactical formations of teams is of great value and we need to clarify the tactical concepts. A tactic is a rational and planned game system implemented in order to combine the attacking and defensive phases, taking advantage of all situations, with the objective of dominating the opponent and achieving a victory� The tactic is characterised by a team using game systems as well as thechanges in format and variations. The game systems are realised through the players on the court. The systems most recurrently cited in futsal literature are: 2.2, 2.1.1, 3.1, 1.3, 4.0, 0.4 or 1.4
The game system is the foundation for team formation. The method of play is shaped in various forms of player movements in which planned and organised exchanges of positions occur. This is in order to confuse the opponent and cause marking errors in their defensive system. This enables the attacking team to penetrate the defence in search of creating the optimum attacking opportunity. The game involves lateral or diagonal movement patterns, not considering the participation of the goalkeeper. When the goalkeeper has the line, this is positioned as a base, behind the last defender.
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Position 2.2
This system uses two players in defence and two on the attack. It’s the simplest game system that a team can adopt. For this reason it is most widely used at the younger levels, for beginners and teams of lesser technical ability. This system can be considered the primary origin of the systems 3.1 and 1.3. The formation of 2.2 happens when one of the attackers retreats to give more structure to the defence in 1.3 or to support the attack in 3.1. The system 2.2 does not offer many changes of roles and because of the positioning of players on the court it makes both attack and defence deficient or lacking in support. However, despite the limitations, one can achieve good results, especially in smaller pitches.
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Position 3.1 This system 3.1 is characterized by the existence of a fixed player in defence and two wingers that help in both defence and attack and a pivot that always plays early, both when attacking and when defending. It is a system in which the team attacks and defends with three players.
The formation 3.1 is when the team starts its offensive manoeuvres in its own half with three defensive players to move looking for a space to receive and play the ball into the pivot. During defending the fixed defender covers the central area of defence and the two wingers cover either side of the court. The pivot must be placed in the centre of the court and being the first to confront the opponent in any area of the attack. In this initial defence there may be some variation in covering or pressing.
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Position 1.3
The system 1.3 is considered too offensive. The attacking team has a fixed player in defence and three players positioned in the attack. This system is considered “suicide�. It is only used for high level technical teams. This game system is more often used in situations like goal kicks where players position themselves adopting these systems 1.3 in order to provoke a reaction in the marking of the opposing team. They execute their movements to confuse the defence and try to implement their moves without the defending team being able to neutralise the attack. These systems can be considered as variants of other systems like 2.2, 3.1 and 4.0.
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Position 1.2.2 or 1.4
With the changes made in the official rules of futsal, a new game system was created. We speak of the goalkeeper being permitted to play outside the penalty area. This created the option of a new method of positioning the players to attack the defending team through trying to establish a numerical superiority in order to facilitate the possession and consequently a shot on goal. It is used a lot at the end of matches where a team is losing or drawing. The goalkeeper or an outfield player in the position of goalkeeper can be used in order to improve the quality of pass and the offensive situation.
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Types of Marking The defensive systems are formed by the type of marking adopted by the coach. Among the most commonly used are: -Single marking (Man to Man) - This system can be divided in half: Marking with full pressure and half pressure. In this system the defender marks the player, not the ball. The marking of full pressure requires that the players press the opposing team in any area of the court and try to avoid the opponent team receiving the ball. Half pressure in individual defence is understood to mean only the opponent who receives or who is in possession of the ball is under pressure and the others do not need to stay tight to the players without the ball. Instead they are responsible for being set back from the opponent in order to provide cover for the team-mate who pressures the ball and also defend the central area of the court. ‘‘On the defensive area marking is done under pressure’’.
-Zone - Can be configured in a diamond and square. The system of zonal marking is to give each player a defined area of court with the mandate to occupy and defend it. In this system the reference is the ball, not the player. In the zone marking the pressure is exerted on the opposing player more directly. The system of zonal marking is very advantageous because it favors the defensive cover, making the marking highly effective. Additionaly it is very conducive to counter-attacking every time the ball is won from the opponent. ‘‘The zonal marking in a square is based on the systems 2.2 or 4.0’’
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Fedato The FEDATO SPORTS LTD is a sports science consulting firm. Using a multidisciplinary team they conduct an integrated effort involving various disciplines including: physical, exercise physiology and nutrition among others. A key feature of FEDATO SPORTS LTD is the pursuit of transferring concepts and scientific research into practical implementation. In this area we will have the opportunity to exchange information and concepts in search of new experiences and evolution.
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Sports
Physiology
·Selection of Saudi Arabia Football (2007-2009) ·Club Al Arabi - Qatar (2008) ·Al Wasl - UAE (2007) ·Selection Brazilian Futsal (CBFS)(2005-present) ·Sport Club Corinthians Paulista (2010 - present) .Palmeiras F.C- (2010) .Portuguesa A.S (2009) ·Goiás Sport Clube - Brazil (2003 - 2004) ·A. D. Sao Caetano - Brazil (2005 - present) ·Brasiliense FCT - Brazil (2010 - present) ·Sport Club - (2006) ·Fortaleza Sport Club - (2004 - 2008) ·Sport Club Santo André - (2004 - 2008) ·Vila Nova Football Club - (2007 - 2008) ·Club Atletico Bragantino - (2008 - present) ·Guarani Football Clube - (2003 - 2004) .Caxias - (2009) ·Paulista football Clube - (2004 - 2008) ·Paulista Association of Football (Referees) (2003 - present)
Fedato Filho The new role of the sport scientist in Football and Futsal In Brazilian football and futsal one of the fastest growing areas of investment and technology is sports science. Lately this has been going through an evolution and taking a new role within Futsal. Leveraging the best knowledge of professionals who are active in football it became easier to deploy new concepts of sports science into sport. Unlike an earlier view on sports science, which was only research data and often not very specific, it has currently evolved a lot, becoming a strong tool that helps with the day to day training of sport professionals. Today, some recommendations by sport scientists have gained importance. They have become part of an athlete’s routine and implemented in their training. There is better use of the sports scientist who works on the pitch and assists with the physical preparations, making it more specific to the needs of the athlete. Besides the strong link with fitness, sports science is not limited only to this relationship, as many ideas from other disciplines that involve football and futsal directly relate to physiology. Some examples of interdisciplinary relationships we can mention are: Psychology, which has some evaluations that show points related to overtraining and physical vitality. Nutrition, which brings informs us about things like loss of appetite amongst others that can lead to some conclusions about overtraining and other information related to physical / technical factors.
Given the increasing physical demands imposed in matches and training the role of the sport scientist in providing more physical and information to the coaching staff is progressively more important. This information can help provide better control of the quality of work. The quality control of work aims to quantify and qualify what has been done by the athlete compared to that proposed by the technical staff. The following data, among others, is often obtained and aims to control the volume and intensity of workouts and games: Glucose post workout and match: The blood is collected immediately after exercise and the result can be related to the intensity of the exertion. It is a necessity to replace energy lost before, during and after physical activity and this can be monitored by the value of glucose within the blood. Lactate post workout and match: Through the collection of blood lactate immediately after training or game we get a sense of the intensity of the activity that was performed. This can direct the next practice session and the need to take action for recovery of the athlete. Control weight daily: Based on body composition we can control the percentage of fat, the percentage of muscle mass and if any athlete has a weight loss out of the ordinary it can alert us to signs of overtraining or the need for better supplementation. Guilherme Rodrigues
Roberto Carlos Corinthians F.C
Hydration: By percentage of body weight lost between the beginning and end of a training session or game we can be better informed of the fluid and salts lost by the athlete and be alerted to dehydration. Behavior of heart rate: By using heart rate monitors we can monitor all physical training, physical/technical and only technical sessions in order to relate the heart rate from training with the anaerobic threshold. This will inform us if the training had a predominantly aerobic or anaerobic demand and reached the goal set by the coaches. GPS: Via GPS we can know the total training distance covered and at what speeds, display intensities and average speed of all movements of the athlete during the training session and draw a map of movements of the athlete within the field. Control of biomarkers of muscle fatigue: Through blood tests in the laboratory or Reflotron, we can observe the values of ​​ CK, Creatinine, Urea and others tested during certain points of the season and find the athletes who are possibly at risk of overtraining or are too fatigued and require greater recovery than other athletes. Given the importance of the information provided by physiology tests it is evident that in futsal and football, so as to achieve excellence in performance, the participation of professionals with knowledge and tools to introduce all the benefits that sports science can bring is increasingly necessary,
Vinicius Pozo Murcia
Controle dos NĂveis de Força Explosiva nos Treinamentos de Futsal
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A major factor in the training of futsal is explosive power. The lack of control and monitoring of developments in explosive force during the season can cause irreversible problems in the athlete’s performance. The calendar in Brazil, for elite level teams, is very long with a monthly average 10 to 12 games reaching up to 100 games each season. It is virtually impossible for any educated adjustment in training if there isn’t a continuous control of the levels of explosive force. By controlling the vertical jump (ABALAKOV method) by a system of data collection or Ergo Platform Bosco Jump to manage and control the strength of lower limbs in athletes during the futsal season we can detect possible deficiencies in planning and implement changes with time for the objectives to be achieved. KEYWORDS: FUTSAL, POWER, JUMP CONTROL
This article aims to awaken coaches to the methods of controlling aspects relevant to training since the physical fitness tests normally conducted every 90 days will bring us lagged data regarding the condition of our athletes. The constant monitoring of aspects of explosive strength is an effective way to control drops in performance. Usually a drop in explosive strength during the season represents a loss in team performance. The following information serves as a basis for further study of this issue because it is only with the constant use of such controls by other professionals in different teams that we may make it even more efficient and effective. Concepts of Force and Force Explosive Power is a physical quality fundamental in many sports. In Sport in general it has been defined as “the ability to produce muscle tension to contract “. From the standpoint of physics, muscle strength is the ability of muscles to produce acceleration or deformation of the body keeping it stationary or slowing its displacement. But in sport not only the speed at which the force is applied is important but also the amount of force that is manifested by a muscle at a given time. Taking all these concepts to futsal we analyse the moments where the application of force in the various muscle groups is at a constant and requires very high speeds in fractions of seconds whether to perform a kick, change of direction or even a dribble.
In this forceful combination of strength and speed we call it muscular power or explosive power. Power is nothing except the product of speed and force.
P=SxS Therefore any decrease in one of the variables (power or strength) results in a drop in the generated power and hence a fall in performance. To maximise the use of power in futsal we must monitor the development of muscle strength throughout the season, with a continuous and permanent control of these physical qualities as well having good monitoring of the performance of our athletes. It is suggested that the gathering of this information is always performed in the most intense workouts of the week, preferably technical in nature (teamwork, kicks marking, etc. ...). This is because the physical sessions are controlled you’re your own prescription (time, speed, distance, etc.).
Using Platform Bosco or Ergo-Jump The most reliable instrument to measure the ability to jump, based on the stretch shortening cycle is the force platform or Bosco Ergo-Jump, although this method has a margin of error when used incorrectly. The jump is calculated immediately on the platform through a computer with software that calculates the flight time of the jump. It is possible to also measure, through the platform, the time of contact with the ground. This is very useful when performing protocols that require multiple jumps. Some protocols were designed to be used in platform heels but for our use in Futsal we took the test for reference in ABALAKOV. This test consists of a vertical jump with the use of arms, creating momentum, and the bending of the legs. Methods Used to Control Heels When I decided to utilise platform jump results to control training I ensured there was a standard criteria of measures to be adopted to ensure the comparability of the data collected. The following is the step by step protocol that are carried when testing athletes. Stretching - static stretching exercises for all muscle groups muscle, around 10 to 12 exercises
Standardized warming - warm up and volume with the same intensity in all the sessions where the data will be collected (around 15 minutes); Meet the criteria of the protocol - follow the principles proposed by ABALAKOV test, using the arms and legs flexed to create a counter movement; Standardize the period of sessions - pursue a sequence of jumps taken during the season always the same periods (morning or afternoon or evening) preferably in similar hours; Measures at the beginning and end of training - Two jumps attempts are made in two seperate periods, one shortly after warming up and another immediately after the end of the main part of training (4 jumps, 2 at the beginning and other 2 at the end); Use the average of jumps - Use the mean average of the initial two jumps (jump in) and the final two jumps (jumping out); Encourage athletes - we should encourage athletes to take the jump to the best of their abilities especially at the end of training because of fatigue acquired during the training session. Make sure that the jump was performed with maximum effort.
Conclusion During the last two seasons in which I have monitored explosive power at training through jumps relevant new information has emerged and the possibilities have increased. This article is not intended to give a definitive conclusion but rather encourage even more to be explored and it is up to us professionals in physical preparation to make adjustments according to the various realities of the teams in which we operate around the world. We need to collect more and more data, allowing the exchange of information with other professionals, improving the utilisation of control and validate its use and others that may be idealised. It is then invited to exchange ideas and implementation of research for growth of futsal around the world, so we can have more data and relevant information. It will allow work with scientific foundations as part of the everyday routine of teams and, hopefully soon, will help futsal achieve the dream ticket and become a Olympic Sport.
Monitoring and better knowing the work in the field reduced Within the schedule of training during a season in futsal we can point to many types of roles. Each technical staff has to identify its methodology to understand the most appropriate way to implement its philosophy. This is the moment that the physiologist, acknowledging the work of the current committee at the club, can deploy ways to monitor and control the variables shown in the schedule of sessions, helping to quantify and qualify the work but always respecting the philosophy and methodology of the coaching staff. Not wanting to change roles or change their methods but adapting their work within the schedule to achieve the ultimate goal, giving ideas and showing the benefits that minor adjustments will bring to their work.
“Small Sided Games” is the technique applicable to team training in sport. This the use of areas of small size combined with a smaller number of players and special techniques are employed to obtain higher levels of fitness and technical ability with the ball. The importance of this study, while pointing out the positives and negatives, shows that the use of small areas it is not always synonymous with hard work as many professionals may believe but is very dependent on game rules, dimensions and number of athletes involved. To begin this study they need to know important information that serves to understand what the physical demands imposed by the athlete is related to the variables needed to schedule a training session with work in a “small area”.
Vanessa Pereira
The Queen of Futsal
2010 was a very important year in the history of our beloved sport. We had the excitement of the first Women’s Futsal World Cup taking place in Spain. The first edition of the Women’s Futsal World Cup was a very high standard and featured players with excellent technical and tactical abilities. The Brazil team showed exemplary discipline and managed to maintain its high tempo game until the end of the competition, taking home the champions’ trophy. The team led by Vander Iacovino and his assistant Marcos Sorato ‘Pipoca’ had a selection of high quality players and, as we know, national teams always have a Pele. This was no different with the Brazilian squad. Their number 7 was the highlight of Brazil’s side with accurate passes, excellent vision, dribbling and a powerful left foot shot. Vanessa Pereira was the biggest name in the competition. She was crowned by everyone as the best player in the competition and ended up not going back to Brazil after being signed by a Spanish team. Every day futsal is breaking barriers and showing the world that we all have the capacity and elegance to be in the Olympic Games and make the fans and sport lovers surrender to beautiful moves, goals and actions. Vanessa now wants to win titles with her new club FSF Burela Pescador and we asked her a little more about her life in futsal.
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Titles Women’s World Futsal Cup 2010 University Games SC 2009-2010
Brazil Cup 2009-2010 Cup of Nations 2009-2010
S.C State Championship 2009-2010
Santa Catarina Open Games 2009
World University Championships 2008-2010
Brazilian Open Games 2010
Vanessa Pereira 22 years old Born in Brazil - Chapeco Left Wing Club - Burela FSF Pescador
Vanessa what was your first introduction to Futsal and did you develop your passion for the game? II started at 5 years old. I lived in a public school with my parents and had access to everything there and it was on the court where I spent most of my time with either my father taking me there or the teachers. Today they tell me that I was in nappies on the court and I never wanted to leave, even as a baby. Luizinho and Tunga, teachers as well as friends verify this story and they also changed my nappies. I have always been into sports with volleyball, futsal and handball the ones I liked most. One day I met a boy called Cicero or Cicinho and he went home and took me with him to play in the street and he taught me to kick the ball and dribble. When I was 9 years old my father formed a futsal team within the school for boys and I always trained with them after school and on Saturdays. At the time a teacher named Gildo had the idea of entering a female futsal team into the sports championships, the youth games and school games too. So we set up the first female team at school and it started to grow. We also had the chance to play in kindergarten with WM Epitácio and it would highlight the dedication of Baulino, Pacu and referee Alicio Pena Junior in helping develop the sport in the region. We won all the titles that year and at the age of 16 I was playing my first high school competition within the state of Minas Gerais as a guest. In 2005 I had my first experience away from home and without my parents as I played the under 17 Brazil Cup and the Brazilian School Games. We won everything once again taking the team’s name to the top and new teams wanted to sign me. I played for Kindermann Hunter in 2006 then Chapecó SC and now I am honoured to be at Burela-Spain. This is only a summary of my story with futsal, which today has changed mine and my family’s life. I live for futsal and I love what I do! Tell us how it felt to wear the famous yellow national team shirt for the first time? My dream from the beginning was to reach the Brazilian national team, to represent my country. I spent five years struggling to get there but due to an injury and a problem with the team I lost the chance. I always thought my time would come. I wanted it so much and I prayed to God to give me the strength to carry on and achieve my dream and my parents’ dreams too. I dreamed of the joy I would feel with the yellow shirt of Brazil on my back. In August 2010 I realised my dream of being among the 12 players chosen from across the nation, it was wonderful. I have become world champion playing for Brazil and I have listened to the sound of our beloved National Anthem. Looking at the shirt and seeing that symbol on my chest was the best moment of my life and I believe that my parents are very proud of me!
How can a beautiful woman like you turn into a lioness on the court and with a shoe size of 5uk hit the ball so powerfully and accurately? Thanks for the compliment...haha!! But everything comes from training. I take with me that the saying that “What you do in training, you do in games”. So I try to give my all in training, always doing my best, looking for perfection. It is not easy but you must try to achieve it. That’s what I think and do in every practice. The gym helps a lot too. We are sure that your goal is to win titles in your new team and write your history in Spain but being so far from your family must be very difficult. Are you already homesick? Nostalgia is not good! It is all new to me and I have several things to learn and do, but yes do I feel very homesick! It is now 6 months without seeing them and this further aggravates the situation. But we are on the internet all the time to kill a bit of the homesickness. I miss the hugs and kisses and warmth of home but I try to concentrate on training to focus here and it seems that this has worked. Do you have any funny stories from your path in futsal? In 2004 the city of Araguari invited me to play a competition for them. I would catch a bus because it was too far from my house, around 1:45hr away. However instead of waiting at the bus station I was waiting near my house and the bus went passed me without seeing me. I was desperate because the next one would not be for ages and I would never get there in time. Then there was a young man who was driving an old VW beetle, he stopped and offered me a ride but I immediately thought “Do I go in an old beetle or do I catch the bus?” But I had to go and it didn’t cost anything to try. It was 30 minutes later when we caught up the bus and stopped it after signalling many times. My coaches only heard about it two years later. I think this is one of the funniest things that has happened to me. Describe the worst experience that you already had with Futsal. The injury I suffered in 2005 when I was unable to play for one year. I had to go through the entire surgical process, treatment and rehabilitation and that year was one of my worst moments.
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What is your advice to players and readers of Futsal Fever? I was given a book from my former coach called Eder. It is the book of Bernadinho, coach of the Brazilian national volleyball, called Letters to a young athlete: Determination and talent: the path to victory. I took a phrase that is applicable to everyone in sport. “We must put dreams into perspective. If you do not feel pleasure from the learning process, the long hours of preparation and only think about the ultimate rewards then you will end with disappointment, instead of growth. Pleasure, passion for the process is what will give you satisfaction when you achieve your goal. “Never think about the future, always live in the present. Train, work hard and never forget your values and attitude. You can even make mistakes along the way, but try to correct them as quickly as possible without blaming others, just do your best. Thank you, Futsal Fever, for giving me the opportunity to tell you a bit of my story. Thanks to everyone for the invitation. A big kiss and hugs to all your readers!
Vanessa Pereira
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England Futsal ww.thefa.com/England/EnglandFutsalTeam.aspx
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UEFA Futsal Euro 2012 Croatia Preliminary Round Group C. Skopje, Macedonia, 20th-25th January 2011. A coach’s diary. Believe it or not, the preparation for January’s preliminary qualifying games began almost two years ago in Dublin. The England Futsal team were in the same position then; trying to break through from the middle to lower ranked teams to go into the “pot” with the big Futsal nations – daunting but strangely exciting all at the same time. In Dublin, 2009 we had started with two defeats against a very strong Kazahkstan side, who eventually went through as group winners, and a scrappy bad tempered defeat to the Republic of Ireland. This left us with a final game against Cyprus to try and salvage some pride and belief. That evening will be special for everyone involved with the rollercoaster that is England Futsal. Without a single away victory in its short history, let alone a win in a Euro qualifying game, the England squad won the game 4-2 to finish second in the group and miss out on qualifying as one of the “lucky losers” only on goal difference. The reason I say that this began the preparation for our latest venture is that it gave us real hope and belief that we, as a squad, and as an inexperienced Futsal nation, might be able to compete at the next level. What followed is now clear to see; the establishment and growth of the FA National Futsal League, the development of junior and youth competitions, the emergence of a Futsal coaching pathway and most importantly for me; a commitment to getting the squad together more often and for longer periods. That result against Cyprus, and the euphoria that surrounded it, sparked a massive phase in the development of Futsal in this country. Back to the qualifying games! The groups were announced and we found ourselves in a really strong one along with the hosts Macedonia, Georgia and Estonia.
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This was going to be no easy route to the next round. We had visited Macedonia in October of last year to play two games. It was a chance for us to measure our progress and get an insight into flights, accommodation, food and the types of court we might be playing on. Macedonia won the two games, 4-0 and 5-1, but the scores do not really do justice to how well England played. Futsal is a game that will punish you for the slightest mistake or lapse in concentration. In the first game the score was 0-0 with only 9 mins left but tiredness and some clinical counter attacking punished us and the 4-0 result looked worse than it was. Our National League had not started last October so all of our players were “Futsal rusty” and the loss of sharpness and fitness that can be present when playing “out of season” was more of a factor than we anticipated. However, such is the grit, determination, and improving Futsal ability of England that we took the lead in the second game and were a whisker from making it 2-0 when a shot was cleared off the line with the GK beaten. Such are the fine lines where games are won and lost. Macedonia eventually Such are the fine lines where games are won and lost. Macedonia eventually found a gear that we could not cope with and with our players tiring rapidly the 5-1 result once more reflected “what might have been”. All of this meant that our opening game against Macedonia was going to be a psychological test as much as anything else. Midway through the second half of this opening game the Kale sports hall in Skopje, venue for all of the games, was filled with the sound of loud, aggressive booing. The crowd were reacting in this way because with Macedonia leading 2-1, the host nation were being put under the severest of pressure from an inspired England team. Wave after wave of attacks threatened the Macedonia lead when after going 2-0 in front the England team scored. This goal was the catalyst for some of the best Futsal England have ever played and the Macedonians were really on the rack. Did I say Futsal can be such a cruel game? A game that can make you experience almost every emotion in the shortest of times. With only minutes left and England really pressing an England player was sent off for a second bookable offence. The whole game, atmosphere and result turned on this decision. Macedonia kept the ball and ran the clock down before delivering the final ‘killer’ third goal with 3 seconds remaining in the game. A cruel blow for an England squad that had given everything.
2x3
5x0
3x1
5x0
1x2
4x2
In the game that followed, Georgia blitzed a shell shocked Estonia 8-0 with three goals coming in the opening minutes. We played the Georgian team in our second game! The result was 4-0 to Georgia, it wasn’t as good a performance as the night before, perhaps we were tired and found it difficult to pick ourselves up after such a spirited performance. Perhaps the Georgian team (eight of whom played for the same club side ) tested us in a way that showed up our inexperience at this level. It was difficult to evaluate but the clinical counter attacks and lethal shooting of the Georgian team did a ‘job’ on us and put us back in our place. In the opening game before we played, the Estonia team fought out an exciting end to end game with Macedonia. The 8-0 result the night before had put real pressure on the hosts to score lots of goals against Estonia to avoid the heartbreak of missing out on goal difference.
The 6-2 victory by Macedonia was slightly disturbing for us as Estonia showed how extremely fit they were and demonstrated an ability to play Futsal at a much higher level than they had showed in their first game. We would face them in our last game. The rest day was welcomed by all. It gave the players a chance to sleep late and catch up on the sleep that can be deprived as you eat late following the evening kick off before tossing and turning as you analyse the game that has just been played. That evening it was quiz time with the staff team gaining a famous victory in the fiercely contested six round quiz. Bring on Estonia. The game finished with a landmark victory for England, 3-2. Why a landmark? At half time the score was 2-0 to Estonia; the result of two defensive lapses and two quick counter attacks. Ironically, England had played a really effective style of Futsal that incorporated a well organised zone defence that was set up to regain possession, rotate and cause Estonia problems. It was working but the cutting edge wasn’t there and frustration was creeping in.
The comeback began early in the second half and belief surged through players and staff. This England squad never knows when or how to quit and although it might lose games because they are still learning the intricacies of the game, they never take a step back when asked to give everything and compete. Once this unique team spirit is allied to a real understanding of Futsal and experiences that can only be got from competing at this level and intensity, there will be more nights like this last one in Skopje. Estonia could only watch as their foul count rose; finding it difficult to cope with the constant England attacks. Midway through the second half they reached five fouls. They were walking a tightrope. Every foul now would result in a 10 yard penalty. One of the England goals was scored in this way but the performance was notable for the way that pressure was applied by trying to play Futsal. Sometimes when you are trying to regain a foothold in a game that is slipping away you resort to a sleeves rolled up – physical battle to try to force your way back. This current England squad began to exert real Futsal pressure in a more cold and calculating way. This is the encouraging development that is taking place and it is a development that will really move the team on to the next level. In the cold light of day when you look at the results it is easy to say that once this team meets a nation with a real Futsal pedigree the outcome is inevitable. However, I view it in a very different way. This England squad is in no way competing on equal terms with some of the nations it plays. The progress of the squad has been enormous and we are all, players and staff, getting to grips with this great game. The infra-structure is now in place and will bear fruit in the near future. I am convinced it is just a matter of time. To put it into perspective, Portugal has 32,000 Futsal players, England has around 400 (who might be considered for recruitment to the National programme). These figures will show similar differences for most, if not all of the higher ranked teams that we must play and beat to qualify for a shot at the “big boys�. Demoralised, frustrated, depressed by this? Not in the least. The victories and successes that will follow will be all the sweeter for the times, like in Macedonia, when we give everything but just miss out.
A message from England!!! Would you like to be head coach of the England Futsal team? What would you reply if you were a Futsal “nut” and you were being asked to guide the national team through the early years of its development? I had answered, YES, before I realised the enormity of the task. The team’s record was not good despite being increasingly competitive. However, the stats did not do justice to the sound foundations that were being put in place and I soon realised that I would begin to benefit from these initiatives. The National league was established giving a real focus for the game, and the small number of coaches and players at these 18 clubs now had a platform from which to grow. Having a National league, National play offs and a growing youth section for Futsal will ensure that the game will continue to grow and I am convinced this will benefit the England team. The squad still recruits from a very small number of players (compared to other European countries where the game is already well established) but this should increase as the league becomes established. With only a small number of players to select it became clear that we had to increase the number of training camps during the year. This was done and now the challenge was to make sure these camps were, and continue to be, as productive as possible. The first goal in Futsal is very important as it can change the whole dynamic of the game. If you concede the goal you have to look to take one or two more risks just to get on level terms. For England this would mean that we became vulnerable to the counter attack so instead of being level we would find ourselves 0-2 down. Building a solid defensive base was one of the first priorities and I decided to look at a “diamond” zone defensive system.
It was important that the players fully understood their roles within the system. This involved practicing in lots of different ways. We would walk through movements, conduct many “attack v defence” practices, show movements on flip charts, laptops and hold team meeting to clarify what our defence was about. The players had to understand about applying the right kind of pressure on the ball without “stealing the ball” or giving fouls away. They were asked to cut off passing lines as well as covering and supporting teammates. They were asked to “threaten” the pass whilst still keeping the defensive unit tight - these were really advanced concepts for a squad with such a short Futsal history. This level of new information, if not structured and delivered in a very methodical way, had the potential to confuse rather than help. However, the real strength of the squad and the staff is that we all want to improve and so everyone was committed to learn and understand how the team was to play. The defensive side of our game is still a ‘work in progress’ but we are getting better. We are gaining in confidence and there is a real belief that together we will achieve success for the England team.
Peter Sturgess
The Best Referee in U.K
Marc Birkett
1- How did you get involved with Futsal and why become a referee? I have been a qualified referee since I was 14 mainly to get a football qualification and at the time this was the first one available. I didn’t start officiating games until I was 18 when I started at my local 5 aside centre, from this I caught the refereeing bug and started to officiate 11 aside and progressed through to level 4 fairly quickly. I didn’t get involved in Futsal until I was 25 when I moved to Sheffield. In Sheffield I led the Futsal development programme for the County FA which created a player pathway for players 11 years old through to seniors. During my 4 years at the County FA the programme grew to the biggest Futsal programme in the country. During this time I fell in love with game and started to officiate the County Elite Futsal League.
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2- Could you share with us the steps that you have to followed to become a great referee? From the moment I started my refereeing career I have listened to what my piers have had to say sometimes agreeing and sometimes not! All their comments are valid which I learned very quickly as these are people that have already moved through the refereeing ladder and have the understanding as to what it takes, so their advice is invaluable. Alongside these domestic piers I am in privileged position to have a growing network of international referees which have grown up with Futsal. I am in regular contact with many discussing Futsal and refereeing and this as a learning tool has been very useful and will no doubt continue to do so. Alongside the above there are a couple of points I feel that has really benefitted me in my career so far: A. Fitness, I currently follow a designed training programme which is monitored through heart rate data. This has enabled me to be structured each week with all sessions leading to the weekend game. Monitoring the heart rate data is vital to ensure I am working hard enough for that session and also it keeps a good eye on my physical condition. B. I have become a student of the game, following as many games on television as possible, and finding as many DVD’s of games as possible. This way I can watch not only other match officials in action but team tactics and players as well. This helps my understanding of Futsal more as we have not grown up with the game until recent years. I have also seized the opportunity to go on various Futsal coaching/training courses to gain a further insight into the other side of fence and the coaches’ mentality/view. This I feel helps me immensely as again you can understand the flow and change of the game and would advise any official to take these opportunities. 3- You are one of the best in England and some people on FIFA like the retired Karoly Torok know about your job over here in UK, do you think that could help you one day in your career or maybe in the future on an important final tournament? It’s positive that highly regarded individuals such as Karoly have heard about me, but there are another 100 or so officials he has heard of.
For me it’s really important to create a positive reputation both domestically and internationally but this comes from how you perform in games and how you conduct yourself away from the pitch. If I can perform consistently then I am positive the appointments will come and I’ll be comfortable in knowing I have done everything I can.
4- Could you share with us your ideas to develop referee in UK and how Futsal could grow a bit more in respect of organization and quality? I strongly believe there is no better time to take up the whistle in England. The FA has invested very well into the refereeing structure from the grassroots right through to the PGMOL. A young referee who has ambitions to progress through the 11v11 game has a clear understanding of how this system works and more importantly the support network available to them via the Referee Development Officer network. This is where Futsal needs to follow. Futsal refereeing in this country has taken giant steps in such a short period of time and now we need to embed the structure into the County FA’s as part of their core work. Once we have done this County’s will assist the training and education programme which at the moment is done nationally and regionally by a Development Group. Futsal as a whole in this country is at a distinct crossroads with the FA currently reviewing its development strategy and options to move forward. Futsal really needs to be a key player in this new strategy so that it is fully integrated into the football family.
We need to be aware that we can learn from Counties that have embraced the game fully and structure our future the same.
The Best Referee in U.K 5- Can you tell us the worst situation that you face on a Futsal match? So far I have been very fortunate not have had game’s where everything has erupted. I’ve had some very challenging games, one such game was England vs Greece, just before I got my FIFA badge. The game grew very physical and on reflection I possibly could have handled situations better, been more prepared and totally focussed. I have revisited this game several times since and I believe this has re-modelled the way I approach and officiate games and is a key motivational factor to be a better official. Futsal for me is the best sport and we are in great position being part of the ‘Futsal family’. From this we must support each other highlighting why this game needs to be at the fore of football development. Let’s inspire the youth to get involved in the game early and we can really see what this sport can do!
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The Best Referee in U.K 6- Could give us 10 tips that a good referee should consider?
1- Understand the Laws of the Game – In order to do your job correctly you must understand the laws that bind your game. 2- Apply the laws of the game – Understanding the laws is important but how to effectively apply them is equally important. 3- Experience – A referee at any level must do everything they can to earn experience. A good official learns from every game as each game will throw up a different challenge. Without such challenges we learn nothing. 4- Fitness – A referee must be in a physically fit condition for their game. Whether it’s an UEFA training programme or something more informal training sessions are a must. 5- Research- A good referee must research not only their next game, history, players etc but understand the various tactics that could be applied in their games. Watch as many games as possible make notes; ask questions this way you’ll add to your experience.
6- Present yourself well – From arrival at the ground/hall to officiating the game ensure you look the part. 7- Communication – Ensure you can communicate clear and effectively on and off the pitch. 8- Team work – You can’t get through a game without working well with your colleagues. 9- Listen to the observer – consider all their points as they are there to help, the more feedback you can process the better 10- Honesty – Analyse your games honestly this way you can be true to yourself and move in the right direction.
Marc Birkett
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God’s Plan of Salvation Trust Jesus Christ today! Here’s what you must do: Admit you are a sinner. 1-“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Romans 3:23) 2-“Therefore, just as sin entered into the world through one man, and death through sin; and in this way death came to all men, for that all have sinned:” (Romans 5:12) 3-“If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” (1 John 1:10) 4-‘‘For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.’’ (Romans 6:23) That means that no men can go to Heaven with sin. The men with sin goes to Hell Good works cannot save you?
1-“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith in Jesus; and this not from yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not by works, so that no-one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) The Bible says there is only one way to Heaven
2-“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this, while we were still sinners. Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) 3- “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) 4-Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father (heaven) except through me.” (John 14:6) Through prayer, invite Jesus into your life to become your personal Saviour. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you, was buried, and rose from the dead. 1-“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God raised him Jesus from the dead, you will be saved.”(Haven) 2-“For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified; and with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” (Romans 10:9,10) 3-“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13) What to pray:
Dear God, I am a sinner and need forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ shed His precious blood and died for my sin. I am willing to turn from sin. I now invite Christ to come into my heart and life as my personal Saviour. “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” (John 1:12)
If you have received Jesus Christ as your Saviour, as a Christian you should: Talk to God in prayer every day. “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” (Matthew 21:22) “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” (2 Timothy 3:16) “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--1gDQf6wco
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This magazine is a collobration between ourselves and players, teams and adminstrators from around the UK. We appreciate all your support and hope you will continue to help us to improve this edition by emailing us of any errors we may have made in this edition. Therefore Futsal Fever would like to take this opportunity to thank all those that made this magazine possible and we look forward to bringing you further editions in the future.