With the U16s away in Liverpool for the England U16 Futsal Regional Qualifier, we condensed our coaching window to 3 hours this week. We are now entering the final six weeks of the season, and there is still plenty to play for across the age groups, the U14s are preparing for a semi-final clash, the U10s will travel to Derby for their England Futsal Day and the U15s are getting ready for their exciting trip to Italy.

This week’s training focused on out-of-possession restarts, specifically kick-ins and corners. These moments happen frequently in games and can often be overlooked, but having a clear starting point helps players feel more confident and prepared.

We introduced simple positional principles to guide players on where to stand and what to do. Just as importantly, we made it clear that these are not fixed rules or the only way to approach these situations. They are starting frameworks designed to support decision-making.

Futsal is a game of constant adjustment, much like chess. Every action has a reaction. Our goal is to equip players with a wide range of tools and solutions so they can respond intelligently and effectively in real time.

Players of the Week:

First Hour – Mia T – She’s one of those players who always gives 100% and never stops working hard. Today, we asked her to push further forward and try to get a touch on the ball before releasing it, and she did both brilliantly. Top session from Mia!

Second Hour – Maja G – She has such a good touch and isn’t afraid to try new ideas, so good to watch. Her passing and movement are up there with the best in the club, and today she showed all the attributes needed to go all the way. Keep working hard, Maja!

Third Hour – Beth F – Another one of the girls who works her socks off every single session. She made some great runs to the back post and scored a couple of fantastic first-time goals. She might not always be the standout player but she never lets you down, always working hard and doing everything with a smile on her face. So good. Thank you, Beth!

Final Thoughts of a Coach…

Decision-making is at the heart of futsal. With limited space, constant pressure, and a fast tempo, players are required to think quickly and act with purpose every few seconds. Whether it is choosing when to press, when to pass, or how to exploit a numerical advantage, the ability to make good decisions often determines the outcome of key moments in the game.

Futsal naturally supports this development by offering repeated opportunities for players to read the game, scan their surroundings, and respond to changing situations. Coaches play a key role by helping players reflect on their choices, understand the reasons behind them, and explore different options. In futsal, strong decision-making is not just about reacting to the ball but about anticipating, adapting, and staying ahead of the game.

As coaches, we must guide players to think for themselves. We cannot provide them with the answer to every problem or every situation they will face in a game. Instead, they need to develop a sense of ownership over their learning and decision-making. That means giving them the space to try, to fail, to reflect, and to try again. It is not always easy and it takes time, but this process is essential for true growth. When players are encouraged to solve problems on their own, they build confidence, resilience, and a deeper understanding of the game. Ultimately, this is how they begin to reach their full potential.

Coach Chris