At Manchester Futsal Youth Academy, one question we hear time and time again from parents and players is: Why should I play futsal? Many wonder how the game fits into their football journey and whether it's worth investing time in futsal alongside their regular football training.
To answer this, we spoke with Ilya Ovechkin, Co-Founder and Academy Director of Manchester Futsal Club, who has over 17 years of experience developing young footballers through futsal. He strongly believes that futsal is a game-changer for player development and a key foundation for success in football.
"Futsal Builds a Player’s Technical Foundation"
For Ilya, the most immediate benefit of futsal is its technical development. The game is fast, intense, and demands close control - attributes that directly translate to football.
"Futsal forces players to develop their technical ability at a much higher speed than football. You’re in constant contact with the ball, using both feet, and having to control, pass, and move under pressure. This naturally improves a player’s confidence, control, and ability to manipulate the ball in tight spaces," says Ovechkin.
The smaller, heavier futsal ball encourages better touch and precision, while the tight playing space ensures players are constantly engaged.
"Decision-Making Under Pressure is a Crucial Skill"
Beyond technical ability, futsal is a game of fast decisions. Players must think quickly, process situations instantly, and react under constant pressure.
"In football, time and space are limited at the highest levels. Futsal naturally teaches players how to handle this because the game is played in tight areas, with defenders constantly pressing you. Players who grow up playing futsal develop quicker reactions, smarter movement, and a better understanding of how to escape pressure," Ovechkin explains.
This constant exposure to high-pressure scenarios helps players remain calm and composed when transitioning to football, where decision-making is just as critical.
"We’ve seen so many young players who play futsal come into football and suddenly the game seems easier for them. They have more space, they see things faster, and they’re more creative. Futsal accelerates their football development."
"Tactical Intelligence and Game Awareness Improves in Futsal"
One of the lesser-known benefits of futsal is the way it enhances a player's football intelligence.
"Futsal is a game of constant transitions. One moment you're attacking, the next you’re defending. This makes players more aware of positioning, movement, and how to react to different game situations," Ovechkin says.
With fewer players on the court (5v5), every player has a bigger role in both attack and defense.
"Because of the speed of the game, players have to read situations faster. They learn when to press, when to drop, when to make supporting runs, and how to move without the ball. These are the same skills that top footballers have."
"Futsal Makes Football Easier"
"When players transition from futsal to football, they suddenly feel like they have more time on the ball. This is because they’ve already developed that quick-thinking mindset from futsal. The skills they’ve built in tight spaces translate perfectly to the football pitch," Ovechkin explains.
In fact, many of the most creative footballers today - grew up playing futsal, and their ability to control the game in tight areas comes directly from that experience.
One of the biggest misconceptions about futsal is that it’s only a training tool for football. In reality, futsal is a sport in its own right.
"If you love futsal, you can go all the way. We have a full pathway at Manchester Futsal Club, from our youth academy to the first team. Players can even represent England at an international level," says Ovechkin.
With the sport growing worldwide and futsal leagues gaining more recognition, players can now pursue professional contracts, scholarships, and international opportunities through futsal.
"We’ve had players who started with us as kids now playing in the National Futsal Series and representing their country. If you want to make it in futsal, the opportunities are there."
At Manchester Futsal Youth Academy, we provide a complete development pathway for young players looking to improve in both futsal and football. Whether your goal is to become a better footballer or make a career in futsal, our program is designed to help you reach your full potential.
Visit www.manchesterfutsalacademy.com to find more about our programmes!
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