Futsal: Playing Out of the Back Under Pressure
A futsal team builds out from its goalkeeper against a three-player high press and must cross half court with the ball under control. Students work on support angles, width, passing to feet and deciding when to play long.
How to play
- Make teams of 4 plus a goalkeeper on a full court. Mark half court with cones and two 2 m (6 ft) channels along the sidelines (3 min).
- 4 plus keeper vs 3: the keeper rolls it out and the team must cross half court by dribbling or passing to feet. The three opponents press (5 min per team).
- Crossing the line earns 1 point and play continues against a fourth defender until a shot; a goal adds 2 more.
- If the press wins the ball before half court, it shoots right away and its goal is worth 2.
- Final 4-on-4 game with keepers: after a goal or goal kick, the keeper must start short (8 min).
- Wrap-up: each team shares which support helped and when playing long made sense (3 min).
Rules
- In the first phase, the keeper may not throw beyond half court.
- Tackles stay on your feet: no slide tackles.
- Only one attacker may use each side channel.
- Pressing and building teams switch every 5 minutes.
Variations
Easier
Only two defenders press.
Standard
4 plus keeper build out against three and finish against a fourth defender.
Harder
Four defenders press and the offense has 8 seconds to cross half court.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: play goalkeeper or a fixed outlet in a side channel with no direct pressure.
- Visual impairment: use a bright ball and have teammates call their name when asking for it.
- Lower fitness: join the press with subs every 2 minutes.
Learning goals
- Provide support and width to beat a press.
- Choose between a short pass and a long ball.
- Press together as a unit.
Equipment for a class of 25
- futsal balls: 4
- goals: 2
- pinnies: 10
- cones: 12
Teacher tip
Everyone tends to crowd the keeper: have two players spread into the channels to stretch the press. Remind keepers that a bad short pass is riskier than a clearance.
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