Wow; everyone's posting their cents load; I guess I'll put up some of mine as well, just some opinions based on the viewpoints of a GK:

1. Defenders should never stand in front of the person they're marking. Always stand 1-2 steps behind them or 1 step either left or right of them. Standing in front of them will give them more time to react if the ball cuts in behind you. This is the same for GKs.

2. Set-piece defending. Most set piece defending are won by i)positioning and ii) anticipation. Always start your first defensive position to cut out all passing options to the opposing team. Next; be aware of the players running into the box and anticipate the ball's movement when released to them. When you're part of a defensive wall; NEVER turn your back to the ball; just cover your vital parts with your hands. If you're scared of the ball, you should not even be playing. This is equally true when blocking a striker's shot. Take it like a man.

3. 1-on-1 and 2-on-2 defending. If your team has conceeded a breakaway; for a 1-on-1, let the GK deal with the oncoming striker; your job is to cover the GK's loose angles and deal with any loose balls. You should head towards the goal line, covering any available angles. It has to be remembered that in 1-on-1 and 2-on-2 situations; the best form of defense is time wasting. You're trying to stall the opponents while your teammates return to help out in defending. For 2-on-2s; once again, depending on how far into your area the opponents are; remember to utilize your GK whenever possible. If the 2 strikers are onto you and your GK is behind you; stand central to the goalposts, outside the D box to push the opponents into separate wings to reduce their shooting angles; and in that central location; just block all attempts on goal while your teammates return. However; if your GK is not behind you; ensure that you take on one man while the GK handles the other. In most cases; take the nearest opponent.

4. If you know you can't get to the ball; let it go. Trying to be too gung ho will only result in injuries.

5. Your GK is also playing and can help serve as the extra man where possible. However, be careful not to place the GK under unnecessary pressure to avoid mistakes.

Of all the positions in Futsal; it's ironic that GK is the hardest and most crucial; yet, it's often the most neglected part of the team. Ask any international futsal coach and he'll tell you that finding a GK is the hardest part of team selection. This is mainly because futsal GKs cover alot of technical and physical conditioning and training as they have to do 2 roles, whereas outfield players only have 1 main role.

This post has been edited by glozz: Oct 11 2008, 11:20 AM

Actually; futsal (in it's brazillian origins and played originally on cement or terraflex) is all about passing and speed and movement. Ball control and first touch are by products of the first 3. If you play a slow tempo game; it's gonna be very hard to score against faster teams 'cause there's not much space to run into.

Hence why the English suck at tournament futsal.





For these type of balls; it's important that you can come off your line quick. Remember, the keeper plays as a sweeper when required, so, as it would apply for a defender; timing and your start position is important in coming off your line quick to sweep up these balls as these type of balls should be prevented rather than having to make the save when it is too late (which would be more difficult). In fact; if it's outside the D box, use your head or other parts of your body(as a defender would) to clear ball out. Remember the keeper, has 2 roles to play. Thus; rather than having to make the save; you should learn to avoid having to make the save at all by being able to sweep up at the back. Anticipation, positioning and fast decision-making is key. This applies to all aspects of the GK's play.



Actually; this is a technique applied in Football goalkeeping. As a keeper; I don't think it's quite as applicable in futsal as futsal surfaces are less forgiving than football surfaces and the single leg landing may not be sufficient; which when executed wrongly or if accidents were to happen; could cause bad injuries. To be honest; I tore my knee ligament of my landing leg while performing this jump 10 years ago in a football game.

My current technique in challenging high balls is to build upper body strength through gymwork and to ensure your start position is the best; get to the ball the fastest, and then; using the upper body strength to consolidate and strengthen your end position. Can't really explain the technique in words. If you watch professional futsal goalkeepers; they use a similar method to this to challenge air balls. Most important; get to it first.

This post has been edited by glozz: Oct 11 2008, 06:54 PM

Correct. If i'm not mistaken; tournament futsal still follows the "pass the halfway line before you can backpass" rule. I know the spanish professional league follows this rule.

Don't mind him; he's just jealous that I don't foul and yet I can save 1-on-1s.

But what Meganova said is corrrect; that is more or less it. However; timing is very crucial.

This post has been edited by glozz: Oct 12 2008, 12:11 AM

Haven't you guys stolen enough players? Still not enough?

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Added on October 12, 2008, 1:27 amUsing legs leave too many gaps.

This post has been edited by glozz: Oct 12 2008, 01:27 AM

Offer me contract lar.

Wahliu Howard; you've got enough fans here to start your own thread!

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Added on October 14, 2008, 10:26 amNow now; janganlah marah. It's not nice; calling ppl names and all...

This post has been edited by glozz: Oct 14 2008, 10:26 AM

There are ways to counter it though. As a GK it's very important to know it as many players will tend to lean into GKs; especially during set pieces before the ball is released.

Easiest way is to let the leaning player "win" by letting him stay in front of you. Wait for the ball to be delivered in; if it's towards his direction; depending on the type of ball, come in fast from behind him to either clear or spread in front of his legs. If you can't see the ball; just a simple shoulder barge (with your shoulders square to his body to ensure it's not a foul) from behind him will ensure he won't do the same thing the next corner.

This post has been edited by glozz: Oct 20 2008, 01:11 PM

Got any videos for futsal GK training? I'm 'bit short of those. Thanks.

Ermm; I mean futsal goalies. Can't use football trainings for futsal. Totally different. Some of the things that I've tried to incorporate into my training sessions based on futsal goalie training videos will make eyes pop out; as we've literally had pasers-by just stop walking and staring at us like we're a bunch of lunatics. And they're considered pretty basic stuffs by brazilian standards.

This post has been edited by glozz: Nov 17 2008, 05:16 PM

Hmm; watched that video last time. Nothing new; since the training emphasis is different because handball doesn't require goalies to dive; and you can't shoot within the D box. Thus; not much emphasis given on physical conditioning and one-on-one techniques. Here's some of what I have; but like I mentioned; online for me doesn't have much sources of videos for futsal goalkeeping training:

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2qm5u_te...ut-futsal_sport

http://www.uefa.com/trainingground/index.h.../1048576/685200

Actually; you'll be surprised that in goalkeeping reflexes are important; but not that important. Anticipation and how you use your reflexes; recovery and positioning especially are of much higher importance. Thus the focus of futsal goalkeeping trainings are actually on getting used to mixing divings with one-on-ones; recoveries; body positioning; body movements; proper hand and catching techniques; proper one-on-one techniques; proper diving techniques; fitness and etc. etc. The belief is that with these focus; reflexes will naturally improve.

That's why keepers naturally get better as they age; even though their reflexes get slower. With experience; they learn how to use their reflexes wisely and only when required 'cause reflexes are a double edged sword; 'cause once you commit to a dive or a save; you're left exposed until you recover. Thus; it's the application of when to dive and use the reflexes that is more important than reflexes; per se.

The rest of my videos are on a DVD I bought online together with Howard for use with our training couple of months ago. It really was an eye-opener and a pain in our bodies for us; at that time.

This post has been edited by glozz: Nov 18 2008, 10:46 AM

Nolarr; I'm always on the lookout for new vids marr; since you happen to seem to have alot of them...

You know; you always learn new things marr in life.. So; just trying to learn lorr. Hmm; maybe hockey goalies need reflexes training larr; 'cause the puck's so small. I got invited to join an Ice Hockey team in the Malaysian Ice Hockey league last time; and yeah, they do focus on reflexes quite a 'bit; 'cause you're holding a stick at the same time.