Futsal – The Story of an Indoor Football Revolution, by Jamie Fahey, published by Melville House UK, Price: £9.99
ONE thing’s for sure about this in-depth book on futsal – author Jamie Fahey’s passion for the game shines through.
A Guardian journalist and production editor, the Liverpudlian has been involved with the intricate indoor game for nearly two decades, both as player and coach.
He hasn’t skimped on his effort in putting together the first comprehensive history of futsal, from its origins in Uruguay in the early 1930s to the present day. Indeed, South America, and Brazil in particular, has been a hotbed for the game, which is said to be one of the fastest-growing sports on the planet.
Fahey weaves his own story into the account, from growing up playing football on the streets of Liverpool to later on discovering the joy of futsal.
He has done plenty of legwork in obtaining interviews with leading figures in the futsal world and is clear on the influence it can have on developing football skills because you have to think and act quickly in a limited space.
There’s an enlightening interview with Belgium’s Spanish boss Roberto Martinez, who grew up playing futsal and is a leading advocate for the game.
He also contributes the foreword. “In any football programme in any country, players should be playing futsal, because you get to a point where the coach cannot make you any better technically,” writes Martinez. “It’s about repetition.
“There’s no better game which gives you the amount of action and practice that futsal does. It’s almost a micro-programme within football, to develop the player so quickly.
“How? First, because the ball is smaller, it doesn’t bounce, meaning the ball is always under your feet. You constantly have to adjust both feet, resulting in improved balance. Futsal gives you the opportunity to have many more touches…”
This book may appeal to a niche market, but it’s clear futsal has many benefits, particularly for young players trying to hone their skills. Fahey’s efforts can only help the cause.
Rating out of 10: 7
