Futsal

[AV1874]

Any of you guys indulge in this?

I've just started refereeing it and it's quick and fun!

[cdbearsfan]

I would do but I'm shit at football and unfit.

I had a refereeing question for you but I've forgotten it. Will get back to you when my brain starts working, give it a month...

[RonBurgundy]

Whats the difference between this and normal 5 a side?
A number of us play Wed nights at Goals - but i have seen that a Futsal Arena is opening in Hockley which is cheaper than Goals

[Monty]

The ball is slightly heavier and smaller, and harder, so there's even greater emphasis to keep it on the ground. It's a terrific sport to take part in and is even better as a tool for teaching young kids how to play the game in a competitive yet technique-centered way. I'm a strong advocate, even if I don't get to play it as often as I'd like (I too am shit at football and unfit).

[villaross]

Araz gains third victory in UEFA futsal cup

[VillaZogmariner]

It's not real football. You can't boot anyone up in the air for a start.

[TopDeck113]

I had a lad in the school team a few years back whose dad refused to let him join a Sunday morning team because of all the emphasis on just booting the ball and, failing that, booting the opposition.  Instead he actively encouraged him to play futsal, along with going to the Brazilian Soccer School in... er, Preston.

It is difficult to make a definitive assessment based on one child, but certainly his touch and close control were better that the vast majority of 10/11 year-olds  I've seen and he is now the "star" of his high school 11-a-side team.  Not, though, good enough for Man City's Academy where he went for a trial.
 

[AV1874]

I got to referee on a FIFA approved international pitch on Monday, when it's played by quality players, the skill level is extremely high and as mentioned above it focuses on your actual skill to get the ball around players not the ability to hoof it up the pitch and smash players out of the way.

CD, I won't hold my breath for you then!

[cdbearsfan]

I got to referee on a FIFA approved international pitch on Monday, when it's played by quality players, the skill level is extremely high and as mentioned above it focuses on your actual skill to get the ball around players not the ability to hoof it up the pitch and smash players out of the way.

CD, I won't hold my breath for you then!

I've forgotten my original question but thought of a new one today.

In penalty shoot-outs, is there a rule about where you have to stand when your one of the players waiting around for their turn to take one? Teams seem to always huddle near the half-way line but not sure if this is due to regulations or habit?

I think as a taker you would rather be close to the penalty area so you have less time to think of it while walking to take your kick.

[AV1874]

It's in the rules, nominated kickers come to the penalty spot when beckoned by the referee.

For those of you who have noticed the international shirts, our State League futsal ref kits are Adidas replicas and look 

[AV1874]

For those of you interested, I got nominated and accepted to the Australian Nationals Futsal Tournament coming up in January. The top referees in the country will be competing for the chance to officiate the finals as well as the top futsal teams in the country to get to play in the finals.

[Dave Cooper please]

Not particularly interested *insert smiley here*, but well done anyway!

[1_Pablo_Angel]

Good fun. We turned up with 5 players for our ranking match against 11 Poles with a proper keeper; loathe as I am to indulge in stereotyping,  I'm pretty sure they were all builders.

We lost 23-2. Degrading.