Techniques and Tactics in Futsal

Technique- The way in which an athlete performs a skill.
Techniques in Futsal include; Passing, Control, Dribbling, Finishing.

• Passing- Passing in Futsal is less varied than in football as the pitch is smaller and the game is more compressed and often the pass of choice is a driven pass with the inside of the foot. Often the passing is one touch as player check their shoulders and the space around them when waiting to receive the ball so that they can play the ball with speed when they get it.
• Control- Good control is a big part of Futsal as it allows teams to play the ball around faster and this is important on a small pitch as being able to move the ball quickly without killing the momentum through a bad touch allows the team to draw the opposing team out of defensive position and create chances. Control in Futsal is again both a Gross and fine skill,it is discrete, open and externally paced.
• Dribbling- Dribbling is important in Futsal and its also important to integrate skills into a players dribbling. Close control is needed when dribbling in Futsal as the pitch is smaller and as a result there is a smaller space to dribble and work in so a heavy touch may mean a loss of possession. Dribbling is a Gross skill, its continuous, open and externally paced.
• Finishing- This is a key part to Futsal as often players shoot from various positions on the pitch as there is often a crowded penalty area and as such the players shooting is highlighted. Often the only shoots that will go in from that range are extremely powerful and accurate driven shots, these therefore are the most common shots in Futsal. Finishing is a Gross skill, its discrete, open and externally paced.

Tactics- The skills and strategies a player uses in any type of sport to be able win. Players and teams will apply specific strategies to try and beat or outwit their opponent.

• Speed- The game is played at a fast pace as the pitch is small and players have to move fast in order to get into space to receive the ball, not least as the ball tends to stay on the ground.
• General Tactics- Coaches are able to make as many substitutions as they like during a game, higher tempo teams rotate players more frequently. Teams normally use a single tactic strategy whether it be a team press or a counter-attacking system, however the coach is able to use substitutions to change formations during the game.
• Formations- Formations in futsal are more flexible than in football as they can be changed a number of times during a game, the popular systems include 4-0, 2-2, 3-1 and 1-2-1. 
• Defending- Over the last few seasons in futsal the zonal marking system has faded out of the game and has been replaced by a man-to-man marking system, this is used as it is much more of a dynamic style of defending and can keep up with the pace of the attack.