What is your favourite position? Mark Laughton

AUTHOR MARK LAUGHTON

AUTHOR MARK LAUGHTON

What is your favourite position?

Yes, futsal is a fast and fluid 5-a-side game, but you still need to know what you are doing. I used to like playing as the ‘sweeper’, ‘holding back’, ‘central defender’, whatever you want to call it. My turn of speed used to mean I could support attacking play and track back. As I got older I could also conserve energy if not caught too far up the pitch.

For me the ‘defender‘ should try to be available for passes from the keeper and to take kick ins in the defensive half, or receive kick ins from either side as far up the pitch as possible. However, as you know, futsal (5-a-side) players move around a lot so all players need to be able to defend as well as attack. I just find it easier to play knowing my starting position (my default position). If another player is covering your ‘default’ position then you should find space or cover another part of the pitch.

So, another position is ‘left or right midfield’. More often than not these are the positions where your fastest and fittest team members should play. Switching from left to right, forward and back is the order of the day for these players. If your midfielders can use both feet equally well that is a bonus. I would look to these players to take most attacking half kick-ins, free kicks and corners.

The next position to look at is the ‘forward’ player. Teams who have a few people who can play in the forward position are very dangerous. Teams who have players who can play all over the pitch are even more dangerous, but scoring goals is what counts. The forward needs to be able to play with their back to goal and turn to get into scoring positions: easier said than done. It cannot be said enough that in futsal all players can end up in most positions, unless you have planned to ‘stick to positions’. The key is playing to your strengths.

My strengths were not goal scoring, but passing and tackling. I set up more goals than I scored.

The final position to look at is that of goalkeeper. Whilst playing, and now refereeing futsal, it is obvious that the goalkeeper is a key player. Watching a keeper turn a sharp save into an attacking move is brilliant to watch. However, if the goalkeeper is attacking who is defending the goal? The more positionally aware teams always have a player covering the goal. The goalkeeper must also move the ball quickly due to the ‘four second’ rule.

Futsal involves all types of players and skills. Knowing your strengths, knowing your position and good communication bring out the best in any team!

What is your fave position

 

1 Goal keeper

2 Pivot defence

3 Right Midfield

4 Left Midfield

5 Pivot attack