Futsal: the futsal goalkeeper

In futsal the goalkeeper represents 20% of the team as opposed to 9% in 11 v 11. Add this to the fact that they’re always within 30 metres of the ball means that they’re constantly involved in the game and never get a chance to switch off, whether that’s in or out of possession.

Premier League goalkeepers such as Ederson, Alisson and De Gea have been brought up on futsal and it’s easy to see how it has influenced their game, whether that be with how they deal with the ball in possession or with the techniques they often use to make saves close to the goal.

The benefits of futsal for football goalkeepers is clear. As a game in its own right, futsal goalkeepers enjoy the fact that they’re always in the action and in a 40-minute game it’s not uncommon to face over 60 shots on target with a similar number of opportunities to distribute the ball.

Here, Andy Reading and Mark Croft provide further insight into the role of a keeper by discussing:

• the key attributes of a futsal goalkeeper
• the number of shots goalkeepers face
• the impact of not wearing gloves
• warm up routines on a matchday.