Tactical benefits of incorporating futsal

In this article, we will look at the tactical side of futsal and how it can also be transferred over into soccer.

Let’s begin with rotations and their relation the ‘pass and move’ you hear mentioned so often in the soccer world. The main difference in futsal is that when you pass you are encouraged to move forward.

Futsal is a riskier game than soccer and players are not usually fixed to their positions. They are encouraged to move forward quickly and look to receive the ball in pockets of space between the lines.

Once a player moves into space, they will consider if they can receive and play forward again. This determines whether they rotate back to the original formation or if their teammates rotate to cover a forward run.

In futsal, this is done all over the court. In soccer, we tend to only see these kinds of movements in the final two thirds of the pitch, between the midfielders and forwards. 

For example, the Liverpool team from 2017 to 2022, which had a front three of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino, was often said to have no formation, such was the fluidity of the players’ positioning and the rotation between them.

Another perfect example was Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona team of 2008-2012, where the likes of Lionel Messi (in his ’false nine’ role), Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets would form a diamond that would rotate constantly, mesmerising opposition players with their passing and movement. 

"Futsal is a riskier game than soccer - players are not usually fixed to positions..."

None of them appeared fixed to a specific position and they all exchanged places fluidly as they transferred the ball forward.  

The interesting thing here is that none of those Barca players mentioned were blessed with pure speed, but all were a step ahead in terms of spatial awareness, allowing them to ghost into areas in between their opponents. 

Is it a coincidence these players all played futsal? In fact, they often cite futsal as one of the main reasons for their style of play.

Overloads (2v1 and 3v2)

In futsal, one of the areas coaches look to work on a lot is developing overloads.

This is a crucial aspect of the game, given there are only four outfield players and less opportunity for players to find space.

Creating overloads in futsal requires a lot of effort in terms of rotation and fake movements (’show and go’/’go and show’).  

Lots of two-player moves - such as wall passes, diagonal passes and straight runs (and vice versa), overlaps, pass and follow and lending passes - take place in futsal, to create 2v1 or 3v2 situations.

Quite often, if executed correctly, these can result in a finish at the far post, especially as there is no offside in futsal.