Courtesy: dougreedfutsal.com

The Problem of the Fly Goalkeeper

The fly goalkeeper, when a team positions their goalkeeper in the opponent’s half to assist in the attack, is becoming more frequent in futsal. Originally it was a high risk strategy used as a last resort in the final minutes to mount a comeback but now it is also being utilised as defensive strategy throughout the game. In this article I am going to look at why this isn´t good for the game and identify a possible solution.

Whilst watching games from across the world I have noticed that many teams are now employing the fly goalkeeper early in matches with the objective to disrupt the rhythm of the game and maintain possession. In moments when the game isn’t going well or to kill the game after they have taken the lead, a team will bring on the fly goalkeeper.

Rather than positioning their players close to the opponent’s goal with the intention to score, they attempt to utilise as much space as possible by putting the goalkeeper on the wing and the last player in or near their own half. This makes it difficult for the defence to press because, if they do, space is created between the defenders enabling the attackers to find the extra man and open up the defence. Without being pressed the team can maintain possession for long periods of time.

Kairat Almaty is the most well-known team for using this strategy. In Higuita they have a goalkeeper that is technically better on the ball than many outfield players. He waits just inside the opponent’s half and his team control the game with extended periods of possession. This has brought them great success as they won the 2012-13 UEFA Futsal Cup and the 2014 Eremenko Cup, titles they would be unlikely to claim without adopting this tactic.

Futsal is an inherently fast and dynamic game but extended use of the fly goalkeeper makes it static and slow, damaging the image and entertainment value of the sport. The fly goalkeeper used to be a very risky strategy but the tactics have evolved and, by spreading out, teams can now use it as a defensive strategy that is relatively low risk. Of course, maintaining possession as a defensive tactic can still be used during normal play but without numerical superiority it requires much more skill.

As noted, this tactic can be very successful. Personally, I lose some respect for coaches using it (as I do for ones continually substituting players with one going out on one side of the gate and another entering on the other) but as long as it gives results someone will always be prepared to take advantage of it.

To impede its use the rules must be changed. However, I wouldn´t want to eliminate the fly goalkeeper altogether by introducing a regulation that doesn’t permit the goalkeeper to touch the ball in the opponent’s half. When used at the end of a match to mount a comeback it can be very exciting and keeps the game interesting and unpredictable until the end.

I also like seeing when a goalkeeper dribbles the ball into the opponent’s half to create a counter attack. So a rule is required that allows these aspects of the game to remain whilst stopping it been used without the priority being to create an attempt on goal.

FIFA adapted the fly goalkeeper rule a few years ago so that the goalkeeper could no longer touch the ball again once it has crossed the halfway line. The only way they can repeatedly touch the ball currently is if they are in the attacking half. Clearly, though a step forward, this has not been enough to stop the abuse of this tactic.

There have been several suggestions for a solution. One is the attacking team using the fly has a possession time limit once the goalkeeper touches the ball in the attacking half. However I think this would be difficult for referees to apply.

The option I prefer is that once the ball crosses the halfway line and the fly goalkeeper has touched the ball in the attacking half, it is no longer allowed to return into the defensive half like the “backcourt violation” in basketball. If it does, it would be a foul.

This reduces the space that the attacking team have, making it easier for the defence and much more difficult for the attackers to maintain possession. At the same time it does not stop a team that genuinely wants to risk using this tactic in order to score a goal.

Futsal is a rapidly growing sport that grabs people´s attention when they see it for the first time. End to end counter attacking, interchanging of positions and stunning pieces of skill are all characteristics of the sport. The use of the fly goalkeeper without a strong intention to score turns it into a monotonous positional game with long periods of inaction. We must protect the spectacle and defend this beautiful game so people can continue to enjoy the real essence of futsal.

What do you think of this type of use of the fly goalkeeper? Do you have a better solution to prevent its overuse?






FP Staff --> info@futsalplanet.com