Hi everyone,

There has been a lot going on since I last wrote and I’ve been all over the country bumping into people I haven’t seen for ages.

Over last couple of weeks I have been to games at Gainsborough, Stalybridge, St Albans and Woking. This level of football is important when looking for players who possess the aerobic capabilities for Futsal and there are an increasing number of players from Steps Two and Three of the National League System expressing their interest in playing.

I had a surprise when I got to Woking last Saturday. Matt Crossley, their coach, was a player at Wycombe when I was there and I think it has about 14 years since I last saw him so when I arrived we managed to meet up. Those friendships follow you around the game although it’s unusual that our paths haven’t crossed before now.

I had a really enjoyable day with our media team at Sheffield’s English Institute of Sport last week producing some Futsal DVD resources. The kids from the local schools initiative were also very enthusiastic. That age range is so important to promoting the game and I spend as much time as I can to spread the message.

I also bumped in to Dave Titmuss, an old friend who is now the Performance Director for British Basketball. I shared accommodation with him at the World University Games in Turkey two years ago and we bounced a great number of different ideas off each other then. He has just started his new role and it was good to exchange some more views and ideas with the other court sports and I’m sure we’ll be doing much more of that in the months ahead.

I managed to get to the England Women’s international against Scotland at Wycombe Wanderers on Sunday, which was play with so much passion. Fara Williams’ goal was a peach, her vision to lob the ‘keeper from all of 30 yards was a master stroke of vision, decision and technical capability. They will have some tough tests in China, not least the climate, but I know Hope will prepare them for those challenges.

Having only visited Wycombe three times since I left, I also took the chance to see the Chairman, who remains a very good friend. It’s been like a breeding ground for coaches and managers when you think about those who have come out of the club in recent years, I think it’s his approach in letting them get on with their job that helps develops the individuals.

The UEFA Futsal Championship Finalists are now all known and the line up has some surprises, although the expected nations such as Russia, Ukraine, Italy, Spain and Portugal are there. We now have to wait until November to see if they can withstand the tests of the rising nations like Romania, Serbia and the Czech Republic.

The FA Umbro Fives was launched at Wembley a fortnight ago. It is the biggest five-a-side tournament this country has ever known with some 4,000 teams expected to take part in the qualifying phases.

The lure of playing at the new Wembley may have something to do with it but I will be interested to see what sort of talent there will be and if it can be transferred to the Futsal arena.

With the F30 group meeting up again next week all of us on the staff have been busy planning the get-together. There is a lot of work to do to make sure we get the best out of the day and that has taken up a lot of time.

I’ll let you know how that all goes in a couple of weeks.

Graeme Dell

Your Questions (click here to email Graeme)

Hi Graeme, I run development centres for 5-11 year olds using the Futsal balls and Samba music in the background, which gives the centres a fantastic atmosphere. Are there any plans to start Futsal at grassroots to get the kids into good habits - the Brazilian's do so why don't we?
Dave Cotterill

Hi Dave. That’s where we are at and have been for some time now, as the future for Futsal is the 5-11 year-old age group. We have a Futsal for Schools Programme currently being rolled out so your County FDO will be aware of that programme. It has been supported with the distribution of 500 starter packs including goals, balls, bibs and resources. As part of the Schools Club Link Programme there are new Futsal initiatives about to be launched.

The individual skills are one thing but unless you know when and where to run, when to mark players and when to mark space, what trick to use when your cornered, how to counter attack, how and when to defend both as an individual or as a unit, then the skills are superfluous. I get many players directed to me with great individual skills only to discover that they can’t defend or they can’t track players and those are the basics of both football and Futsal.

A Futsal environment which is fun and game-centred creates and develops these abilities in a player provided its not simply coached as five-a-side on a Futsal court. A game which encourages the player to try new things and take risks, one which addresses and challenges the core principles is what is needed for the 5-11 year olds, in my view, and Futsal provides that opportunity.

You are right though, other countries have done it and although we are late to the learning cycle The FA are fully committed to its benefits.

Hi Graeme, Danny Griggs, who plays for us, is a current member of your squad and we at Nantwich Town would like to develop the game of Futsal in our local area. The club has a full-time football development officer who is assisted by another coach and I wondered if there are any courses/workshops that they could attend?
Clive Jackson, Director of Football & Chairman, Nantwich Town Football Club

Clive, this type of awareness and the proactive approach you are taking fills me with inspiration - our messge is getting heard. It’s great news and reflects what an increasing number of non-league clubs are doing and it’s encouraging to see that you have noted the potential benefits to your club. We have a Level 1 introductory coaching course, which has already seen over 1,000 coaches go through and these are run regionally. The FA have several schemes for supporting the development of Futsal and you can learn more about how to access these courses and schemes by contacting your County FDO or alternatively contact Louise.Hatch@TheFA.com.

Do you see any Futsal players ever getting selected for the national team at all. I was at the National Championships last year, and there were some really good English teams such as, Tranmere Victoria and Doncaster?
Donald Bryers

The international Futsal arena where the national team plays it’s games is of a substantially higher level than that of our clubs at the moment. That’s a harsh fact. The term ‘really good’ has to be used, in my view, carefully as people see what they consider to be ‘really good’ teams and players in some competitions but, how good are they by national standards and compared to everything else that is out there nationally?

Each time you step up a level you have to raise the bar with you and that’s the judgement call I have to make, do I think they can? do they look good but in an average environment? are they capable of stepping up? so I am looking for any player from Futsal or football who can step up to the level.

Graeme, could you please elaborate on the key components of a multi-skilled Futsal player as you mentioned in your last column? I am a budding Futsal coach and agree it is not just about skill but a combination of traits.
Mark McDonald, Wellington, NZ

I think it's more multi-facetted than multi-skilled. From what we’ve seen around the world it’s my view that Futsal creates and develops the all-round player. In reality you're neither a specific defender, midfield player nor attacker as you fill all the roles at some stage in a movement, even the goalkeeper's role varies. Physiological and aerobic strength are critical as is the ability to execute the technical requirements on demand time after time. The knowledge of attacking and defensive strategies and how they seamlessly link are key, so too is mental toughness in a game of total concentration.

Pace is what sets good players apart from the crowd and the ability to track players. Imagination is another factor the game promotes. You need intelligent and bright players with good vision and game understanding to play Futsal as there’s much to learn and implement. So there are many aspects to a good player, or one with potential, yet not simply the ability to do the odd trick or have ‘quick feet’ - although they’re always and asset!

If you'd like to ask Graeme a question ahead of his next column in a fortnight, email us at editor@TheFA.com