Elite Development Academy has incorporated futsal into its development program.

Our futsal program will focus on technique and skill training while implementing the small-sided tactics used in futsal. All of this will be done in a positive and fun environment. Elite Development Academy has partnered with Toque Futsal. They will direct and oversee the Elite Development Academy futsal program.

What is Futsal?

Futsal is an exciting, fast-paced small sided soccer game that is widely played across the world and is officially recognized by both UEFA and FIFA. The nature of the game places a large emphasis on technical skill and ability in situations of high pressure, and is subsequently an excellent breeding ground for soccer competencies that can be translated into the 11-a-side format of the game.

“Futsal was important in helping to develop my ball control, quick thinking, passing….also for dribbling, balance, concentration…. Futsal was very, very important, no doubt.” – Pele, World Cup Winner: 1958, 1962 & 1970

Many of the top world class soccer players played Futsal in their youth and credit it with supporting their soccer development. Players the caliber of Pele, Zico, Ronaldinho, Kaka and Lionel Messi, to name but a few, are all South American legends that played and enjoyed Futsal.  Futsal has not just helped produce South American soccer stars. On the European stage, Cristiano Ronaldo, Deco, Xavi and Fabregas, among many others, have played Futsal to develop their skills.

“Perhaps in regular football you cannot appreciate the talent. Everything is more physical. But in Futsal you have small details of quality, class and tactical aspects.” – Xavi FIFA World Cup and UEFA Champions League Winner

How is Futsal Played?

Futsal is a five-a-side game, normally played on a flat indoor pitch with hockey sized goals and a size 4 ball with a reduced bounce.  Games are usually 20 minutes per half, played to a stopping clock (similar to basketball) with time-outs permitted. There are a number of differences to our traditional version of small sided “indoor” soccer, but the dominant elements are amendments in the laws that encourage and foster skillful, creative play above the physical contact that tends to be a feature of indoor soccer. The surface, ball and rules create an emphasis on improvisation, creativity and technique as well as ball control and passing in small spaces

“Futsal….it makes you more composed on the ball and makes you want the ball more, so you can do something with it.” – Micah Richards England International

“Futsal is an extremely important way for kids to develop their skills and understanding of the game. My touch and my dribbling have come from playing Futsal”. – Ronaldinho FIFA World Footballer of the Year 2004 & 2005