BEACH SOCCER
Like FIFA, who embraced the game and made it part of their football portfolio, Futsal Club Toronto similarly has embraced beach soccer and includes it as part of our High Performance Training Camps. Although there currently is no league play, FCT believes exposure to the game not only creates a fun alternative for its members, but we see the game as FIFA does; an amazing and alternative way to develop skill and technique, while at the same time improving speed, strength and overall fitness.
Beach soccer is one of the most spectacular and exciting sports on the planet. Showcasing flamboyant skills and vibrant play, beach soccer is played in more than 130 countries. It is played barefoot on sand, so with the foot sinking into the sand for each step, the game requires a high level of fitness and incredible coordination.
This is why beach soccer is an exciting alternative to traditional forms of physical exercise and coordination training for young soccer players. It requires high speed and strength, while helping players improve their technical and tactical skills at the same time. Frequent bobbles, bounces and the unpredictable flight of the ball require players to be mentally and physically prepared to deal with the unexpected.
Beach soccer also requires players to have clear tactical intelligence. Players must be adept at operating as both defender and attacker; however, the goalkeeper’s role is the most important. The keeper marks the rhythm of the game and, to a certain extent, sets its pace. In trying to set up attacking moves, the goalkeeper operates almost like a quarterback, always on the lookout to launch offensive plays.
The rapid changes in play, constant striving for quick, direct finishing and various types of set pieces used in beach soccer all contribute to the development of the player’s tactical understanding.
