Talking Futsal tactics
Saturday, February 22, 2003
Article summary
The leading names from the UEFA European Futsal Championship discuss their favoured formations.
Article body
If you have never seen a game of Futsal, you might think it sounds as simple as 1-2-3-4. After all, how complex can a game be when you can count the number of outfield players in each side on the fingers of one hand? The answer, of course, is very complex indeed.
Limited options
There is not quite as much variety in the shape of a team as in football, but in Futsal a successful team may use any or all of the four most popular formations (3-1, 4-0, 1-2-1, 2-2) in the same match. Futsal is not a game for players who only feel secure in their own few square metres of the pitch.
Right call
And this business of only having four outfield players is not as easy as it sounds either. A coach has to make the right call when using substitutes, both in terms of timing and whether to switch one or two players or replace one outfield quartet with another.
Scientific approach
Slava Mikilyaev, secretary of the Russian Futsal Federation, says: "We know from studies in sports like ice hockey that players can only achieve peak physical performance for a few minutes."
Speedy attacks
In the 2001 UEFA European Futsal Championship, Russia's second quartet led the kind of rapid attacks that helped the team bag more goals in the last five minutes of a game than any of the other finalists.
Players the key
A coach's tactics must start with the players. Belgium's coach Damien Knabben says: "Futsal is a game where mistakes really can be fatal. So no matter what formation you choose to play, the key is to have good players."
Defensive policy
In a game where an error can lead, in two touches, to a goal, the quality of a player's decision-making is key. So some coaches such as Knabben have tried to minimise risk by sticking to a system that players know well (3-1 in Belgium's case).
Technical excellence
Tactical advantage often begins, says Spain's coach Javier Lozano, with technique. "We're playing in reduced spaces with the defender very close, so we can't lose time switching the ball to the other foot. If we're faster in our execution, we can surprise the opponent and increase our chance of scoring."
Multi-talented side
Petr Fousek, chairman of UEFA's Futsal Committee, noted after the 2001 European Championship: "All Spanish players were able to play anywhere - the rotation was amazing." This versatility, coupled with their stamina, enables Spain to use fewer substitutions than rivals.
Regional variations
Different countries have different preferences. The 2-2 and 3-1 systems are popular in eastern Europe, although Slovenia coach Darko Krizman said players and pundits should not get obsessed by formations: "When we defend, all our players try to get the ball, and when we attack, all our players are ready to attack."
Fluid arrangements
Italian coach Alessandro Nuccorini added: "Tactics will play a big part in these finals, but I hope squads don't stick to rigid formations which are unnecessarily defensive. That wouldn't be good for Futsal."
Goalkeeping options
In a team of five, the goalkeeper's role is critical. They can stop up to 20 shots in a game and create goals with accurate throws, as Spain's Luis Amado did in Moscow in 2001. The keeper can also be taken off if the coach sees fit.
Fearless finales
Russia used five outfield players at the end of key games against Italy and Spain in 2001. They did not win either game in normal time, but probably played their most incisive Futsal of the finals.