Futsal vs Indoor w/ new MyReplayLive Video service

[Unregistered]

Futsal needs a heavier ball as it is played on a faster surface. Regular balls would be flying all around and be out of bounds all the time. It is very fast paced and lots of running, so I don't get the argument that it is less running. It is passing and learning how to quickly move off the ball. You have to pass to feet with a great touch, as there is no wall to save your bad pass.

I recommend indoor for the younger ages, as the ball is out of bounds a lot in futsal and escpecially at the younger ages. So the walls do keep the game going and the kids involved at those younger ages anyway. They would get bored if it is out of bounds every 20 seconds. Indoor is a little more physical but again not a bad thing at the younger agess.
They are both a nice change of pace, and nothing wrong with moving indoor in the winter time.

[Unregistered]

You are clearly someone who does not play soccer and have never played futsal. The ball makes a difference. Playing futsal does improve your touch. Indoor is little more than small sided soccer with walls.

The touch you get from futsal transfers directly to your outdoor touch.

Agreed, you have to have played the game to 'get it'. Despite the difference in the ball, the touch you can develop does transfer directly to the outdoor game, while the typical type of play seen in indoor (bashing the ball hard near the direction of the goal where a bad shot turns into a good cross) transfers directly to rec style boot ball. The game of futsal is all about close control in tight spaces.

I've personally witnessed many kids go through a season of futsal where they start as if they had cement blocks for feet and ended the season with a considerably softer touch, many even being able to develop the concept of using the first touch to set up the second (commented on earlier).

Indoor might be more fun to play, but the skills one can develop in futsal rather quickly transfers better to the outdoor game plain and simple.

[Unregistered]

a focus on precise control, movement and position

My son just started futsal. I've never played soccer or futsal, so I have no confidence my opinion here. However, it seems to me that the more confined space in futsal is much more unforgiving to sloppy 1st touches, inaccurate passing angles, poor anticipation, and bad positioning.

As for the futsal ball itself, it seems to allow smaller players (like my son) an opportunity to practice moves that their current stature does not really allow with a regulation soccer ball. One could see this as a problem (i.e. not all futsal moves can be used during a soccer match). However, all I see is my son getting more comfortable using all the parts of his feet to control a ball's speed and direction all around his body. He's even picked up juggling in the process, and he used to HATE juggling.

[Unregistered]

You are clearly someone who does not play soccer and have never played futsal. The ball makes a difference. Playing futsal does improve your touch. Indoor is little more than small sided soccer with walls.

The touch you get from futsal transfers directly to you outdoor touch.

Wow, you came to this conclusion off of my post? You have zero idea, literally zero. I have done all of this that you say I haven't, hence my EDUCATED opinion. Maybe my other example was a little too complex for you, so let's try another one. Do they play basketball with a hoop that is twice as large? Maybe this sport is more your speed...

I am just tired of people trying to over-complicate/over-sell parents on this idea. Let the kids play with the ball that the typically play with. I see zero (and yes I have done it) advantage of playing with a futsal ball over a regular soccer ball. If you disagree with all of your obvious knowledge and experience, great.

[Unregistered]

Wow, you came to this conclusion off of my post? You have zero idea, literally zero. I have done all of this that you say I haven't, hence my EDUCATED opinion. Maybe my other example was a little too complex for you, so let's try another one. Do they play basketball with a hoop that is twice as large? Maybe this sport is more your speed...

I am just tired of people trying to over-complicate/over-sell parents on this idea. Let the kids play with the ball that the typically play with. I see zero (and yes I have done it) advantage of playing with a futsal ball over a regular soccer ball. If you disagree with all of your obvious knowledge and experience, great.

Here, here. Futsal is great for practicing throw ins!!! It is also a sell to clueless parents, by clueless coaches.

[Unregistered]

Here, here. Futsal is great for practicing throw ins!!! It is also a sell to clueless parents, by clueless coaches.

The parents that don't like futsal are the parents of the players with no technical skill. Their child can't control the ball so they think futsal is worthless. Players with good ball control typically love futsal. They actually have to have a good touch and keep the ball in play just like in outdoor. It promotes quick touches and quick ball movement. Lot's of short, on the ground passes and 1-2s. It makes kids play out of a situatin instead of just booting it. A lot of kids like indoor because it's fun to crack the ball as hard as you can and it's even more fun to kick it off the wall but it doesn't always promote good habits. If my kid ever plays indoor the rule we have is if you are going to use the wall then you must use it as a player in a give and go situation. No using it to pass to a teammate. If you need to make a pass around a defender then bend it instead. There will be no wall in outdoor to assist you.

[Unregistered]

The parents that don't like futsal are the parents of the players with no technical skill. Their child can't control the ball so they think futsal is worthless. Players with good ball control typically love futsal. They actually have to have a good touch and keep the ball in play just like in outdoor. It promotes quick touches and quick ball movement. Lot's of short, on the ground passes and 1-2s. It makes kids play out of a situatin instead of just booting it. A lot of kids like indoor because it's fun to crack the ball as hard as you can and it's even more fun to kick it off the wall but it doesn't always promote good habits. If my kid ever plays indoor the rule we have is if you are going to use the wall then you must use it as a player in a give and go situation. No using it to pass to a teammate. If you need to make a pass around a defender then bend it instead. There will be no wall in outdoor to assist you.

You are still missing the point, man this is frustrating. Assume everything else is equal, same field, same court, etc. Why is it better with a futsal ball? Requires better touch? Hogwash! It is much easier to control a futsal ball than a regular ball, simple physics.

[Unregistered]

You are still missing the point, man this is frustrating. Assume everything else is equal, same field, same court, etc. Why is it better with a futsal ball? Requires better touch? Hogwash! It is much easier to control a futsal ball than a regular ball, simple physics.

Actually ball is a little smaller - like a 4. It's also dead, but you have to hit it harder to make it do what you want it to do. By the way, it's common to practice touch and ball skills to use a smaller ball, like a size 3. The smaller ball is way harder to control and mistakes are amplified. Try juggling a smaller ball some time and you'll see. When you get really good, use a tennis ball.

Things aren't equal, that's why you play futsal with a futsal ball. A regular ball is too bouncy for a hard court. The ball is in play more (i.e., more touches) with futsal ball than if you tried to play a small sided game with a regular ball. Regarding special rules imposed on a kid for playing indoor -- that's a bit much. It's supposed to be fun and encourage creativity. It's about making the ball do what you want it to do. If you want to pass it to yourself off the back wall and crack a shot, go for it. Same if you want to make a "wall" pass by actually using the wall. That's learning to adapt and be creative.

Finally, either futsal or indoor is a nice change of pace particularly when training and playing outside is cold, wet and miserable.

[Unregistered]

It's about making the ball do what you want it to do.

Exactly so how is bending the ball around an opponent not making the ball do what you want? Hitting it off the wall is simple. My 4 year old can do that.

[Unregistered]

You are still missing the point, man this is frustrating. Assume everything else is equal, same field, same court, etc. Why is it better with a futsal ball? Requires better touch? Hogwash! It is much easier to control a futsal ball than a regular ball, simple physics.

First off it's not because the ball is much heavier. It makes taking shots and hitting passes more difficult. Secondly, things are not equal. Futsal is much more difficult because the field size is smaller and you actually have to keep the ball in bounds through small, technical touches.

Take a technical player and put them in futsal or indoor and they will be fine. Take a player with no technical skills and they will do fine in indoor but will be horrible in futsal.

[Unregistered]

Exactly so how is bending the ball around an opponent not making the ball do what you want? Hitting it off the wall is simple. My 4 year old can do that.

Because it's an artificial way to play the game. There's no reason why you can't do both. Sometimes bending the ball is the play, sometime the wall is. All you propose is a rule that can take the smarter play out of the equation. That's the adaptability part. And no, your 4 year old cannot effectively play off of a wall, nor can most players until they've played a lot of indoor soccer. If you want to give a youth player something to work on that might actually help, have the player focus on using his/her off foot as much as possible and keeping the ball on the ground as much as possible.

[Unregistered]

Because it's an artificial way to play the game. There's no reason why you can't do both. Sometimes bending the ball is the play, sometime the wall is. All you propose is a rule that can take the smarter play out of the equation. That's the adaptability part. And no, your 4 year old cannot effectively play off of a wall, nor can most players until they've played a lot of indoor soccer. If you want to give a youth player something to work on that might actually help, have the player focus on using his/her off foot as much as possible and keeping the ball on the ground as much as possible.

I disagree. Making a wall pass is easy. The girls on our U10 team can do it without a problem and doesn't require much creativity. Working on footwork and small touches is much more helpful then learning how to kick the ball off the wall effectively. There are many more creative things to work on.

[Unregistered]

I disagree. Making a wall pass is easy. The girls on our U10 team can do it without a problem and doesn't require much creativity. Working on footwork and small touches is much more helpful then learning how to kick the ball off the wall effectively. There are many more creative things to work on.

No your U10 girls cannot effectively play off of a wall. U10 cannot effectively do most things with a ball like properly kick it, trap it and pass it. Is U10 girls soccer the only thing you've ever seen?

[Unregistered]

No your U10 girls cannot effectively play off of a wall. U10 cannot effectively do most things with a ball like properly kick it, trap it and pass it. Is U10 girls soccer the only thing you've ever seen?

And here we go...

[Unregistered]

Most younger players I see run behind the ball and try to anticipate where it will bounce after it hits the wall. Rather than getting a touch forward on a pass, they let the ball go past them and bounce off the wall. I've watched dozens of indoor games and I have seen U8 through U14 do this.

However, if people see merit to indoor, then by all means do it. Personally, I don't. I see merit in futsal. Therefore, my kids do it. All of this arguing over which is better, which teaches bad habits, .... is just stupid. If you don't like one or the other, then don't do it.