Abstract

Futsal has been explored as a potential developer of talent for 11-a-side football through the transfer of skills developed due to its constraints. This study examined the physiological and technical-tactical behaviours of fourteen young male football players (12.90±0.36 years) during participation in two representative tasks designed to replicate the sport-specific environments. Participants performed six matches of 6v6 with a five-minute duration, interspersed with five minutes of passive recovery for both representative tasks in different sessions, with a familiarisation session for the futsal conditions. Technical and tactical data were recorded using a video camera and subsequently analysed using the Game Performance Assessment Instrument (GPAI) and the Movement Awareness and Technical Skill Instruments (MATS). Only two players per game used the ZephyrTM Bioharness, while all players reported a subjective perception of effort. The results for the comparison between representative tasks showed significant differences for the following variables: reception at first touch, pass at first touch, pass at first touch unsuccessful, unsuccessful pass, forward direction of the ball and side direction of the ball, showing a higher frequency of technical actions values for futsal than football. The results indicate that futsal could be a sport that promotes talent development for young football players.