Futsal
On the day that Ronaldinho was crowned Fifa World Player of the Year, it seemed fitting that we should play the game which helped him to hone his immense talents: futsal.
The game is played between teams of 5 on a brightly-lit, indoor pitch. By using a smaller, heavier football, the skill level is increased ten-fold, with players able to pull off all manner of mind-boggling tricks and skills. Games are won by being the first team to score 2 goals, and last no more than 10 minutes each ...and at the speed they play, its just as well!
Doug and I both struggled initially with the pace and skill of the game as it raced on around us.
However, despite a few falls and nutmegs early on, we both managed to adjust quickly to the game. The heavy ball certainly helps dribbling since it practically sticks to your feet most of the time, but getting in the way of a shot is a lot more painful!
After an hour and a half of racing about, we were both thoroughly knackered. Still, we had managed some glory: Doug had fired in the winner for his team in one match, and a couple of goals from me had helped my team to go on an unbeaten streak of 3 straight games at the end. Even the huge blisters we both suffered couldn´t take the edge off that.
posted by Finn Carver @ 9:32 PM
7 Comments:
I am confused by your claim that “the heavy ball certainly helps dribbling since it practically sticks to your feet most of the time”.
Surely the weight of the ball is irrelevant, since the controlling factor is the coefficient of restitution between the two surfaces in contact ie the ball and your foot.
Indeed. Unfortunately I am no physicist. However, I would assume that since the ball is heavier there is greater friction between it and the floor. Hence, it is less likely to roll away from you after a poor touch, giving the illusion that it is indeed stuck to your feet.
This is possibly true - for a given impact force, a heavier ball will indeed travel less distance due to its inertia. Hmmmm, interesting.
I would say it has more to do with the tackiness of the floor and the ball hence the greater coefficient of restitution. Additionally a heavier ball is going to mean a greater force is needed to be applied to move the ball away from the foot area, hence the close proximity in which it can be kept!
Physics professors..............
nice
Surely Futsal is a moneymaking rip off of the original brazilian game Futebol de Salao? Although the Futsal ball is smaller than your usual size 5, and indeed weighted, doesn't it make more sense for Brazilian kids to still be learning with a size 2 weighted ball?
In terms of the heavier ball giving you a "poor" touch, you would think so but in fact it is the opposite. As it is heavier you are unable to lift it and knock it long, therefore your only options are to beat a man or play short, clever passes (surely better to watch?) As a training aid the heavier ball is awesome, as being able to juggle that and do tricks with it is great, because then when you return to the lighter normal ball you find it far easier.
A money making rip off? Of Futebol de Saleo? Have you considered that this literal translation: Football in a hall has been shortened to Futsal, and indeed stems from its original name. As for money making rip off, I don´t understand who is making the money by shortening the name? Terrinho do Barnacloinho?
As for a training aid, yes clearly it is a good thing! However you need beast toes and foot soles to play in regularly!
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