Source: PabloPrietoFutsal.com

ANDY INTERVIEW READING
(Goalkeeper Coach Al Wahda FC-Futsal UAE)

• As has been the beginnings of Andy Reading coaching Goalkeepers

Due to a knee injury my playing career as a futsal goalkeeper came to an abrupt end, I very much wanted to stay in the game that I love. Coaching seemed to be the next logical step, being the first professional player from England I felt like I had something to give to English futsal and the futsal world in general. If you like a way of repaying futsal for the many pleasures and great moments I have had during my playing career. I worked with domestic clubs initially and then worked on behalf of the English FA in many futsal goalkeeper specific roles. I guess through word of mouth and my own personal interest to increase my knowledge and experience of futsal goalkeeping I would often visit great teams, coaches and goalkeepers to do this. After 5 years of hard work, commitment and learning the many technical aspects (and still learning) I am working in a full time role with Al Wahda. I’m very grateful to Sarmad, Pablo Prieto and all connected for this wonderful opportunity, it’s very difficult to put into words the immense pride I have being part of this club.

• What do you think are the main differences between the Brazilian and Spanish goalkeepers.

There are more Spanish futsal goalkeepers who use the ‘new’ style as opposed to the ‘traditional’ style which is more frequent in the Brazilian game. To elaborate the ‘new’ style is based on the on the use of the cross or block shape one of the best exponents of this technique is my favourite futsal goalkeeper Luis Amado. The cross shape is used as a way of covering as much goal as possible and reducing the space the opposition player has to shoot at and increasing the percentage of the ball hitting the goalkeeper, this method is used in many situations from 1v1 to reflex saves. It’s a very flexible technique, a switch from left cross to right cross can be used to nullify the player who chooses to move the ball from right foot to left foot. The goalkeeper can also perform transitions from block to splits or slide / dives.

My time in Brazil I was fortunate enough to work with two goalkeepers of differing styles, the ‘Traditional’ style would involve more diving, more instinctive and explosive movements. This reflects the all action, in your face style of futsal that I witnessed in Brazil. The Brazilian goalkeepers would employ the two knee slide on a more regular basis too, this would often be seen in 1v1 and 50/50 situation. Of course there is many cross over’s and trends in both styles, Franklin who is a wonderful goalkeeper has incorporated the best of both.

• In which differ goalkeepers Futbol -11 , and Futsal Soccer

The futsal goalkeeper has a more influential role to play in a match compared to the 11 a side brother. The futsal goalkeeper is expected to contribute more in a offensive capacity aswell as fulfilling the defensive aspects. He/she is very much the focal point for the team, in the same mould as a fullback in American football. The goalkeeper will initiate plays mainly from hand but also from the foot, coordinating the players according to the given situation. For example when the goalkeeper restarts play with the ball in hand, he/she must identify if the team is pressed or not pressed, initiate tactics and player movements accordingly to begin team possession. In the same breath the goalkeeper could identify an opportunity to throw quickly and create a counter attack situation. The futsal goalkeeper has to be a quicker thinker, see things quicker and react quicker on many levels.

There are some quite unique differences in both disciplines of goalkeeping such as the approach the taken in dealing with hard low shot, due to the close proximity and thus less reaction time you will see the futsal goalkeeper using their feet and legs much more, naturally an 11 a side goalkeeper will dive more due to the size of the goal. Using the feet and legs is the quickest and most efficient way to make a save low down, plus the goalkeeper is ready for if there rebound too. There are of course many other subtle and big differences in the style and approaches, too much for an interview and more for a book!.

• What do you think are the main physical, psychological techniques and must have a goalkeeper.

A futsal goalkeeper must be intelligent, having the ability to see and analyse situations and make quick decisions both tactically and improvised. Being intelligent also means being positioned correctly to anticipate situations and/or to make saves as easily as possible. The futsal goalkeeper must be an excellent communicator he/she is the ‘eyes’ of the team and can see things that the players can’t, coordinating and implementing tactics is key to the structure of the team.

The goalkeeper must be quick both in reflexes and movement around the goal, this asset also extends to the speed of recovery after making a save, ie making a splits save and being ready for a rebound. Being flexible is of the utmost importance, futsal goalkeepers are required to make some unnatural movements which can put strain on certain parts of the bodies for example hamstrings, hips, groins, lower back and abductors need to be supple to allow for a successful splits save. Combined with both flexibility and speed is having strength in key areas of the body. Having a good brain very much complements having the physical attributes on many levels.

• At what point do you think should start specialization in the goalkeeper position:

I see a big difference both practically and theoretically in a futsal goalkeeper who has learnt the trade at an early age compared to a mature person who is taking their first steps in futsal. I have seen many mature people come from an excellent 11 a side background, but the transition is harder than one who has grown up in the sport. The person who has grown up in the sport understands tactics but also physically the goalkeeper who has started futsal at a young age (with the correct training) their bodies will mould and adapt to the demands that a futsal goalkeeper requires. For these reasons my answer would be that the younger the goalkeeper the better in terms of specialising in the role of futsal goalkeeper.

Having said this I have also seen great development with goalkeepers making the transition from mature 11 a side goalkeeper to young futsal goalkeeper, despite the obstacles of age and starting in a new sport it can be successful. In the UK you do often here the remark ‘if only I started in futsal at a young age’ food for thought!

There is a bigger picture, the mentality. I think it’s very important that the person wants to be a futsal goalkeeper and feels comfortable with the position. It a hard and often unforgiving position both in matches and training that needs a special person with special characteristics to meet the demands. If this person has this mentality then it’s never too late to start as a futsal goalkeeper, where there is a will, the skill will develop over time.

• As you see the current situation of global Futsal

In general Futsal is still growing; many other new countries are embracing futsal and developing the sport in its own right or using futsal as a brother to the 11 a side game. In both instances the message of futsal is spreading. However futsal is dictated somewhat to the current financial climate which is seeing many professional leagues suffer as a result, you only have to look to Spain and at the situation of Caja Segovia. It’s pleasing that despite these very hard financial time that many countries have introduced futsal it says a lot for the strength of the sport that it can still grow in difficult times, we must keep fighting for this sport.

• A think that is why futsal is not an Olympic sport

It’s a travesty that futsal is not an Olympic sport especially if you consider the eclectic nature of the sports on offer in the Olympic Games. Sadly I think that the IOC sees 11 a side as more profitable, today sport is deemed a money making business for this reason I think futsal is being ignored. If futsal is propelled to Olympic status I’m 100% confident that the wider population would embrace the sport in the same way Handball, Rowing, Shooting and many other Olympic sports have. Organising the venue is easy, as the Olympics are already geared towards handball, the venue is ready, we have amazing futsal teams, its time they entertain the public. The Olympics is about celebrating sport, futsal is a great way to celebrate sport.

• What can you tell us your experience in different countries, both in clubs and on teams

Each country I have visited has their own unique approach and theory to futsal development – this would reflect in coaching methods, tactics and growth of the sport as a whole. For example there are some quite distinct differences in the Spanish and Brazilian methods of coaching futsal goalkeepers. I would extract the experiences and learning’s that I feel are important from either method and mould them into my own style of coaching. Essentially taking all the best concepts in order to help the goalkeepers I work with and to aid with my own personal development, all information is good in terms of learning and improving.

• What do you think are the countries that are developing today Futsal

I can only speak for the countries I have visited, for example I like the approach that the UAE domestic clubs are adopting of employing overseas coaches which can only help raise the levels and the profile of futsal in the country. Dave Payne in New Zealand has put together a wonderful selection of programmes aimed at elite futsal of the national team through to youth and junior futsal sections, all this done a tight budget. It is pleasing to see that the New Zealand Federation are developing futsal both in the present and for the future. Simon Walker who leads the futsal project in England is also using a similar approach which has ultimately seen the England national teams results improve as a result with seeds being sown for the future. Both UAE and England / New Zealand are taking quite different approaches towards futsal development but both are having positive effects.

• After three months in UAE, as is being a period of adaptation to the country, as well as your work in a new team of Al - Wahda.

The past 3 months have been a learning curve both professionally and culturally an experience that will make me a better person and a better coach. I am enjoying working with the technical staffs who are highly experienced and knowledgeable but are equally approachable. The real satisfaction is using my experiences and learning’s and implementing this practically with the goalkeepers, its very satisfying to work hard with the goalkeepers and the team and see positive results. I’m enjoying the insight, the behind scenes work of a professional futsal club, as well as enhancing my cultural experiences of an Arabic country. It been challenging but also rewarding, reaching a national cup final within 3 months shows the progression made so far, these experiences make for a strong team and individual.

• What do you think is the difference between Brazilian and Spanish Futsal

I have been fortunate enough to have sampled both styles and approaches, both have many positives which produce different brands of futsal but very successful none the less, and for this reason both countries are ranked number 1 and 2 in the world. Having worked with the Spanish technical staff at Al Wahda for the past 3 months I would suggest there is a science based around both the tactics and the conditioning of the players, a thorough approach which leaves no stone unturned, in training you can see each situation being practiced. Essentially there is a tactic for pretty much every situation, I have seen this reflect in the performances of Al Wahda and also when watching the LNFS in which there is some fascinating chess matches, matches based purely on tactics.

In Brazil I was witness to a liga match between Corinthians and Sao Caetano, the game is was all action, in your face futsal, end to end attacking style, and the games were played at 100 miles per hour! Direct and more reliant on individual skill. The Brazilian style at (least in this game) appeared to be less of a chess match and more a battle, great to watch. On a personal level it’s a pleasure to experience both styles of futsal and use as part of my coaching.

• What would you recommend goalkeeping coaches working with children

I would suggest working on the basic fundamentals on a physical level and introduce the theory behind the movements, this can be done in a number of fun ways that keep the children stimulated and interested. Important that the coach initially breakdown each movement into a passive exercise. For example the cross or block shape should be introduced in a stationary position to gently introduce the young goalkeeper to this movement and progress to from there but only when the coach can see the goalkeeper is comfortable with the movement.

• I'll do a series of questions for readers BRIEF know a little bit more to ANDY READING

A MEAL – My mother’s Spaghetti Bolognese, very nice

A CITY OF ENGLAND - London

A CITY OF THE WORLD – New York

A JOURNEY – anything that provides a new life experience

A DREAM – To continue working in futsal for many years

A CAR – I don’t mind as long as it works and is reliable

A COLOR - Blue

A NUMBER - 1

BEST GOALKEEPER OF THE WORLD FUTSAL – Luis Amado, highly technical and a born winner

HOBBYS-

FOOTBALL TEAM – Portsmouth Football Club – FA Cup Winner 2008

FUTSAL TEAM – Sao Caetano - Brazil

A RELIGION – Atheist

SEPARATE hobbies FUTSAL – Visiting Historical Sites / Museums / Experiencing new pleasures





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