Howard Gray
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Future Of Work

Futsal

Brazil's reputation for producing incredible footballers isn't just climate or culture. It's a smaller pitch and a ball that doesn't bounce.
Howard Gray

by Howard Gray

Futsal

Why does Brazil have such a reputation for producing incredible footballers? Pelé, Romário, Marta, Neymar.

Climate, culture, history - probably. But it's also down to futsal.

It's football, but not quite as we know it. Unlike five-a-side, the pitch is smaller and has no walls. The ball is smaller too, and it doesn't bounce as much. A game of futsal is intense - loads of shots, high demand on mental and physical energy.

To succeed you need to play multiple positions. You need control, improvisation, creativity, technique. And reps.

What's interesting about futsal is that it's a distilled version - something you can spin up and get going with quickly. Low budget, low overhead, simple tools.

Most of our projects, programmes - even meetings - aren't like this at all. They don't encourage multiple positions or lots of touches. They're unwieldy. You wait ages to get a touch, only for someone to nick the ball off you.

Worth trying Futsal.

P.S. Futsal isn't Brazilian by origin. It was invented by a Uruguayan. Good ideas spread.

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