With the proper futsal drills, you will definitely see your game improve in no time. It’s a known fact that futsal is very physically demanding. You also need to have a keen and trained sense of observation and good reflexes. You need to keep your eyes open at all times, your mind alert, and your body should always be ready to move fast and change direction instantly.

However, without regularly practicing specific futsal drills, it will be hard to keep up with your opponent’s pace and you might end up losing the game. There are many types of drills that are useful to get better at futsal. Some focus on training, some on passing and shooting, while others focus on fitness. Below we tackle each of these categories separately, and show you the best drills you should focus on to improve in each aspect.

 

Futsal Training Drills

Proper and regular training will help you improve your game performance and also become more competent. You need to follow the right technique, regularly apply it, and be consistent. The more you do it, the better you become, and, over time, it will all seem easy. Some of the common training drills are as follows:

 

1. Stop and Shield

You need 2 partners (who will pass the ball, and one to defend the goal), a goal, and a futsal ball

-One of your partners will be the defender and you will be playing offense.
-Run two steps towards the goal and then make a dash backward towards the path of the pass (the other friend has to pass you the ball but aim it behind you).
-Use your foot to stop the ball, stand steady, and wait for the defender to come at you.
-Shield the ball with your foot from the defender for about 3 seconds.
-After 3 seconds, switch roles among yourselves so that each one of you takes a turn at being the one who passes, the defender and the offensive player.

This drill improves your defensive skills.

 

2. Stop and Push

Same as before, you need 2 partners (one to pass, one to defend)

-Stand about 5 steps from your partner who will be defending.
-Dash two steps ahead and then run back in the direction of the pass
-Controlling the ball with the bottom of your foot, start pushing it away from your defending partner while ensuring it’s in front of you.

Repeat this step for 60 seconds or 10 times and swap positions with your partners.
This drill seeks to improve ball control, as well as the defensive skills.

 

3. Drag Across

This drill requires the same setup as before.

-Start by standing at arm’s length from your training partner.
-Make a dash towards the goal and then head back in the path of the pass.
-Using the inner region of your foot, begin maneuvering the ball by dragging it slowly away from the defender.
-Repeat this 10 times or for about 60 seconds. Once done, change positions and let your partner, who was the defender do what you were doing and you become the defender.

This drill is aimed at ball control, defense as well as attack.

 

4. Drag Outwards

Identical setup as previously: one passes one defends one attacks.

-Find an open field/court
-Stand approximately five steps from your partner who will be playing the role of a defender
-Make a fast dash forwards then run back in the path of the pass.
-Get to the ball and begin controlling it with the outer side of your foot. Try to push it away from the defender while you keep facing the goal.
-Do this 10 times of for 60 seconds and then switch positions.

The drill focuses on ball control as well as defense and offense.

 

5. Stop and Turn

The drill involves the same premises.

-You and your defensive partner will face each other and stand five steps apart.
-Dash two steps forward then back in the trajectory of the pass.
-Using the bottom of your foot, stop the ball and then turn around and begin dribbling it forwards trying to pass the defender.
-Repeat this procedure 10 times and then change positions.

 

Futsal Passing Drills

A team that keeps possession of the ball longer during the futsal game, has a higher chance of scoring and winning. And for this to happen, the players have to be good at passing. If they have good pass accuracy, they minimize the chances of it being intercepted. In order to do this, you must train to use the right force – not too powerful or too weak. The following drills will help you pass better:

 

1. Short Passes

You need a futsal ball and partner
-Stand a few yards facing each other.
-One of you places the ball on the ground and kicks it towards the other person.
-The person stops the ball and passes it back.
-You may choose to stop and then pass it back or pass it back without stopping
-Alternate both versions of the drill, since you need to master both

This drill will improve the passing accuracy and comes handy in penetrating the opponent’s defense.

 

2. Long Passes

You need a partner and a ball
-You and your partner will stand a longer distance compared to the short pass. The goal is to make accurate passes.
-One of you kicks the ball using the inside of the foot while the other receives it and then passes it back. Similar to a short pass, you can decide to stop the ball then pass it back or pass it back without stopping it.

 

3. Wall Pass

You need a wall, ball, and 2 cones
This is a variation of the short or long pass where a player will use a wall instead of playing with another person.

-Simply find a good wall and place two cones a few feet apart.
-Place the ball on the ground and kick it using the inside of the foot.
-The ball will bounce back and you may choose to stop and kick it back or kick it back without stopping it.
-Use the cones to define an area where you need to aim your pass. If the ball hits the wall outside the cones, consider it a failed pass.
-You can start with a shorter or wider distance between the cones and then lengthen the distance from the wall while narrowing the distance between the cones as your skills improve.

 

4. Side Foot Passing Drill

You need a ball, and partner or wall for this futsal drill

Usually, it’s much easier to pass a ball with the inside of the foot. However, in this drill, you’ll be using the outside of your foot since you need to be able to perform this too in order to be a well-rounded player.

-Stand a few yards from your partner or wall and pass the ball using outer region of the foot.
-The receiver passes it back or the ball will rebound to you after hitting the wall.
-Do this for 5-10 minutes then switch to the other foot

 

Futsal Dribbling Drills

To be a good futsal player, you need to be good at dribbling as well. This enables you to defend the ball, penetrate the defense, and also to hold possession. The goal is to keep the ball within your legs and to prevent the opponent from reaching and taking it. Just like other techniques, you need to put in lots of effort, if you want to better your skill. The following are the some of the popular dribbling drills for futsal:

 

1. Closed-Space Drill

You need 3 cones and a ball
-Place the 3 cones in a straight line or a triangular design ensuring the space between the cones is around 2 feet.
-Take the ball and start a few inches from the first cone and aim at going around the cones without touching them
-Dribble the ball between the cones, using all surfaces of your feet.
-Alternate both feet to move the ball in-between the cones and perform this several times. If it’s challenging you may widen the spaces a bit and once you get used to that, you narrow it.

The drill should be performed for 10-15 minutes.

 

2. Cone Drill

You need 6-10 cones, an open court, and a futsal ball.

-Place the cones in a straight line and maintain a gap of 5 yards in-between the cones
-Take the ball and place it in between your feet.
-Start dribbling in-between the cones aiming to complete the pass without touching any of the cones.
-Do this several times and then switch the ball position. Use the outer region of the feet to dribble the ball between cones and repeat the process.
-Finally, you can do one pass using the inside of the foot and on the return pass, you use the outside.
Perform this exercise for about 10 -15 minutes.

 

3. Wall Drill

You need a wall and ball.

-Begin by standing a few yards from the wall
-Place the ball on the ground and hit it with the inside of the foot. The aim is for it to bounce back in a straight manner.
-Kick it again once it hits your foot and repeats this without stopping in between, Do this 10-20 times.
-Switch to the other leg and repeat the process again.

NB: In case you don’t have a wall, you can find a partner who you will exchange the passes with.
This drill improves the dribbling skills and ball control, since both work hand in hand.

 

4. Confined Dribbling

You need a futsal ball, a partner and 4 cones

-Form a square with the 4 cones maintaining a 5-yard distance between them.
-You and your partner enter the box and you will be the one controlling the ball.
-Move around with the ball trying to shield it from your partner who will be looking to snatch it.
-Do this for a specified period or until your partner steals it. Swap roles and then start all over.
-Perform this for in series of about 60 seconds then switch roles, over and over.

The aim of this drill is to help you dribble faster and more accurately. It also helps in standing your ground and keeping possession since the opponent struggles to steal the ball.

 

5. Doggies/25’s Dribbling

You need 5 cones, a ball, and open court

-Place the 5 cones in a straight line maintaining a space interval of 5 yards.
-Place the ball on the first come and be ready to move with it towards cone 2.
-Sprint your way with the ball to Cone 2 and then sprint back to cone 1. Start again from cone 1 but now stop at cone 3 and back to cone 1. The next time stop at cone 4 instead of 3 then back at cone 1. Finally, finish at cone 5.
-Do all this while sprinting with the ball – this will improve dribbling ability by training you to stop the ball fast when sprinting and switch direction 180 degrees
-Switch to the other leg and start again. Perform this for 10 total sets, 5 with each foot.
Other than enhancing your dribbling skills, this drill also helps in conditioning.
-Since this is a demanding sprinting exercise, consisting of 10 sets, after each set, you should take at least 30 to 55 seconds break

 

Futsal Shooting Drills

Winners in futsal are determined by the goals scored. A team that scores more goals will always win and the more reason you should dedicate a lot of time to shooting drills. The following are the most popular ones:

 

1. Shoot Between Cones

Place 2 cones 3-5 yards apart. Move back a few yards and practice shooting the ball in-between the cones. You can move further or narrow the space between the cones as your skills improve.

 

2. Dribble and Shoot

Create a dribble weave using several cones covering about 30 yards. At the end of the line place two cones to serve as the goal. A player is required to dribble through the weave and upon reaching the end he/she shoots for goal. It combines both dribbling and shooting.

 

3. Hit the Cone

In this futsal drill, instead of shooting the ball in-between the cones, you need to actually hit the cone. This exercise is aimed at improving accuracy since it’s much harder to hit a cone than shooting the ball between the spaces. You may do it individually or as a team where you or two teams and compete who hits the most cones.

 

4. Cone Kick Down

Several cones are placed on the goal line within the goalpost. Two teams are formed and they will be given a chance to knock down the cones. The team that manages to knock down all the cones is declared the winner.

 

Futsal Fitness Drills

Futsal is a demanding sport that requires you to be fast on your feet and also be able to endure continuous running. For you to keep up with your mates and possibly have an advantage over your opponents, you need to be physically and mentally fit. The following are some of the main fitness drills that are used in futsal in order to develop your endurance.

 

1. Interval Training

You need an open space or a treadmill

-Jog for 4 minutes while maintaining the same pace
-Follow-up with a 4-minute tempo run
-Repeat the exercise starting with jogging then tempo run for 4 times
-If you are on the field, you can incorporate sprinting

The aim of this drill is to improve stamina and endurance which allows you to stay active longer.

 

2. Maximise Sprinting Speed

In futsal, running fast in short bursts will give you a great advantage over your opponents, especially when it comes to chasing a loose ball. The following drill will help you to improve your speed.

The drill targets the quadriceps and hamstrings which are critical for the short sprints. It also helps to improve your stamina.

-Find an open field and wear good shoes.
-Perform 50m sled pulls
-Take a 30 seconds rest
-Repeat the pulls 5 times while taking the 30-second rest

 

3. Explosive Power

If you are able to take fast corners or turns, you will leave the competition behind. You can train for this in the following manner:

-Find a free space
-Perform single-leg box jumps
-Do 10 repetitions
-Increase the box’s height every week
You can also alternate with burpees, with tuck jumps, squat thrusters or jump squats.

 

Summing Up

It is imperative to practice drills regularly if you want to be a better futsal player. Incorporating fun Futsal drills makes exercising more fun and less monotonous. In fact, we all know that a little bit of fun goes a long way in keeping the players motivated.