fds

               Brazilian Soccer School
                   of Futebol de Salao

What is Futebol de Salao?

Well, Futebol de Salao(FDS) in English means "football of the hall" originated in Brazil over 40 years ago and was introduced to the United Kingdom in Ireland in 1996. These training methods are now used entirely in Professional Football (Soccer) Academies, Elementary/Secondary schools across the United Kingdom.

Futebol de Salao has many Facets, part of it which is a 5 a side game, played on a hard basketball court sized pitch. The difference is it uses a specifically designed size 2 ball filled with air and foam, but its 20g heavier and designed so it won't bounce above the ankle when dropped from shoulder height. The hard surface allows the ball to run true, the nature of the ball and game dictates that the emphasis lies on the development of close control, quickness of passing, speed of movement and creativity. Apart from the football benefits it has on young players it also helps develop balance, speed, coordination and flexibility. All very important aspects of any sport. Players are coached often to samba music.

But it's harder than it sounds. "When you come to play normal soccer it's easy when you've come from Futebol de Salao. Pele, Rivelino, Jairzinho, Zico of previous great Brazilian teams and Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Emmerson and Juninho of the current World Cup winning Brazilian team have all attributed much of their skills and success as soccer players to this training method. Ronaldo and Juninho were so focused on Futebol de Salao that they didn't even kick a conventional soccer ball until their mid-teens.

Futebol de Salao has four distinct programs:

1. Mini Kickers (4-5 year olds). Young children in the mini kickers
     program are introduced to soccer in general, with the use of the
     specially designed Futebol de Salao ball. Sessions are for 45 minutes
     in length and focus on fun games to develop running technique,
     balance, co-ordination, as well as their soccer skills in dribbling, passing,
     shooting, etc. All sessions are indoor and conducted to background
     samba music, which assists develop rhythm and flexible movements.

2. The Brazilian Soccer Centre (6-8 year olds). This is where young
     players are introduced to the game of Futebol de Salao and some
     of the skills and the techniques used in Brazilian soccer. The
     sessions are for one hour per week and will help develop balance,
     co-ordination quickness of feet as well as their overall individual
     soccer skills. All sessions are indoor and once again there conducted
     to background samba music, which assists develop rhythm and
     flexible movement.

3. The Brazilian Soccer School Part/Full time (9-14 year olds). The
     school offers both a part time program and a full time program all
     of which are year round for the players. Our part time school consists
     of one 1 1/2 hour sessions each week, while the full time program
     for the more committed soccer player offers two 90 minute training
     sessions per week. One indoor FDS session and one outdoor session,
     which combines the skills and technique of FDS and the use of
     conventional soccer balls, this will ensure the easier transition for the
     player to conventional soccer. Players in both programs will receive
     the latest training methods from South America. Technique and
     creativity will still be the main focus at this stage, but speed, agility
     quickness and co-ordination training will be introduced as well as
     some strength, power and conditioning and diet and nutritional
     guidance for each player as we move towards the youth development
     stage.

4. The Brazilian Soccer Academy (11-18 year olds). The Academy
     will take the player through the youth development stage. During
     the early part of this stage, emphasis will still be placed on the
     technical development side. However, the player will gradually
     be introduced to the tactical side of soccer. Sessions will also
     include speed, quickness and agility training along with strength,
     power and conditioning sessions. Diet and nutritional guidance will
     also be part of the program. Players will attend two(2) hour
     coaching sessions, one indoor FDS session and one outdoor session
     with conventional soccer balls.

For further information on Futebol de Salao and Brazilian Soccer Schools in British Columbia, please contact David Shankland by email or by phone at (604) 466-3787.