How Removing the Walls Impacts the Nature of 5-a-Side

Pass. Tackle. Kick ball. Ball hits wall. Tackle. Shoot. Ball hits wall. Repeat.

Playing off walls enormously influences the dynamics of small sided football. In traditional 5-a-side, walls tend to make play frantic, less strategic and reduce the need for continual teamwork and awareness of surroundings. When a player kicks the ball against the wall (unless as a calculated wall pass) it usually results in a pinball-like moment of chaos, followed by a battle to regain possession. A 5-a-side team's best option is therefore man-for-man marking; individual responsibility becomes the key to defending and individual brilliance the key to scoring goals.

Walls also negate the impact of strategic pressing of the ball, which has become a key element to elite level football in this country over the past decade. 5-a-side pitches with walls ultimately reduce the need to understand passing lines and trigonometry - the basic principles of possession based football.

Removing the walls, as in futsal, returns the emphasis to the basics - players connecting with each other through a ball; the heart of the beautiful game. The need for continual teamwork, awareness and concentration are magnified in both defence and attack.

Marking in futsal requires continual awareness of two things: who, at that given moment, each player is responsible for marking, held in tension with the priority of cutting dangerous passing lines - specifically those through the middle of the court and toward the far post, where a number of goals are scored.

This need for continual teamwork and co-dependence means players leave a futsal court with a profound sense of having been part of a collective operation. More than a group of individuals working together, a futsal team becomes a body, operating as one.

This deep sense of connection to others - even if subconscious - is greatly needed in today’s world. It gives participants a distinct awareness of how their decisions and actions affect those around them. Futsal illustrates some very timely lessons in life - particularly if working with the emerging generation.