It is hard to argue that the futsal goalkeeper doesn’t have the toughest role in most futsal matches, and one of the most important.
In a single futsal match there are often more shots than a football side might have in an entire season, with IFS Futsal Club sides recording over 50 shots in several matches this season alone. The barrage of shots, combined with the smaller, heavier futsal ball, minimal time to react, if any, the crowded areas in front of goals and the typical attacking techniques used such as cut-backs and toe pokes, makes this one position that is certainly not for the faint-hearted.
Due to the difficulty in understanding the ins and outs of futsal goalkeeper coaching this is one area of the game often forgotten or simply overlooked by the futsal community in Australia. This isn’t to say all clubs are the same, but I am confident I would be able to count on one hand the number of futsal clubs in Australia that are able to provide complete futsal keeper development.
Fortunately, the Central Coast Sports College Futsal Club is now one of the few that can and do provide this to keepers. This elite futsal season we introduced Goalkeeper Development to the club’s roster with weekly sessions covering the vast array of techniques used in the position that differ from football goalie.
These sessions are being run by New Zealand Futsal National Team goalkeeper, David Plowright, whose outstanding knowledge and understanding of this position has guided our keepers within the club to improve at an astounding rate, and it is certainly showing each weekend. It is also being noticed from outside the club with at least three of our keepers making it through the difficult process to be selected to represent NSW in the upcoming FFA Futsal Nationals in January.
Next time you are watching or are involved in a futsal match, spare a thought for the keepers, they really do deserve a whole lot more credit than they usually receive.
These videos are a small taste of some of the early futsal keeper training sessions …
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