With so many coaching organisations out there, it can be difficult for parents to select the correct environment for their child to develop and grow as a player and person.
What makes futsal and Futsal Escocia different?
The surface, the court size, the ball, the rules, our values, our coaching methods, grouping of players and our team pathway are very different to what you will find at most grassroots football clubs and coaching academies.
THE SURFACE
The hardcourt indoor surfaces makes the ball move faster than grass or astroturf. This automatically makes it more challenging for players in terms of technical ability and speed of mind.
THE COURT SIZE
The futsal courts we use are smaller than 5v5 football pitches. During training we change the court sizes and layout to challenge the kids more technically and mentally.
On a more confined area players have to think quicker and be able to play under pressure.
Players will make more mistakes than playing on a larger grass or astro pitch, but this helps the players learn to self explore, fail, succeed and learn.
THE BALL
A futsal ball has less bounce and is on the ground more. This enables more touches of the ball. A football indoors is flying all over the place and is rarely on the ground.
THE RULES
Futsal has some fantastic rules such as 4 seconds for kick-ins and use of the fly goalkeeper. At our older age groups we follow FIFA rules in training and matches.
At younger age groups we create our own rules that we feel will help develop our players.
In training we mix up kick-ins and dribble-ins, do not allow keepers to pick up pass backs, and remove the retreat line to encourage the kids to think for themselves and to break out from pressure.
I believe that the current small sided football rules simplify everything and restrict player development.
OUR VALUES
Our Academy and Team values are HEART
We believe that our values are fundamental to success in football/futsal and life in general.
OUR COACHING METHODS
I have travelled to Brazil and Spain to develop myself as a coach and to establish what training methods they use in youth development.
Our coaching methods are different from the traditional methods the SFA deliver. I strongly believe that coaching sessions should focus on the player and not the coach.
Our coaches encourage players to work hard, play with intensity, and to have FUN.
Each week we follow a theme (example defending) and design a session to follow that that theme. We want our players to explore, problem solve, and self organise based on the scenario they are facing. Each scenario should be different based on where players are positioned at a specific time.
We encourage players to play with freedom and to play all over he court. We do not believe in pidgeonholing players in positions.
In the long term, this has massive benefits for decision making, leadership qualities, game intelligence and game awareness.
I genuinely believe this is why so many Futsal Escocia players from Fife are starting to make a name for themselves in Scottish football and futsal.
GROUPING OF PLAYERS
It is important to understand that every player is on their own journey. Some have aspirations to be football players, some don't.
We place players in an environment where they are comfortable but also where they will be challenged.
We group players based on age, ability, biological age and maturity. As I said earlier, every child is different and it's not uncommon for us to have 4 years age difference between players and it works.
We feel that the current structure of football age groups restricts players getting a fair opportunity to play. Children start the game at different age groups, they develop at different times, and there can be up to 6 years biological difference in 2 players at the same age. We try our best to work to provide the best possible learning environment for EVERY child.
All of the above has made us one of the most successful futsal academies in the UK. With over 140 players progressing to pro academies and a number of players (male and female) going on to represent their country at football and futsal.
OUR TEAM PATHWAY
Academy players can enrol in our teams where they will play regular matches in the Futsal Escocia 3v3 and 5v5 leagues, as well as entering national and international competitions. The youth teams are a pathway to the adult teams. We currently have a First Team and a B Team with plans to add a C Team in the future. Our squads are full of players who have graduated from the Academy. The club has ambitions to play in the UEFA Futsal Champions League and for our players to play at the highest level possible.
If you have any questions about futsal, please get in touch.
If you want to enroll your child, you can do so here:
