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Futsal Systems and Schemes of Play

A system of play is a starting formation (starting arrangement of defenders, midfielders and attackers) and guidelines for their team's play. 

Traditional Zones in Soccer

Traditional soccer text, written in English, refer to three zones on a Soccer or Futsal pitch:

• Defending zone in the third of the court closest to the goal a team is defending.
• Transition zone (aka Midfield) in the middle third of the court where a team transitions from defense to attack when they win possession of the ball, and transitions from attack to defense when their opponent wins possession of the ball.
• Attacking zone in the third of the court where the team in possession attempts to score on their opponents.

Creativity Zones in Futsal

Soccer test, written in nations that take great pride in playing a very creative style of soccer, refer to four areas on a Soccer or Futsal pitch:

• Defending zone in the quarter of the court closest to the goal a team is defending.
• Transition zone in the middle quarter of the court where a team transitions from defense to attack when they win possession of the ball, and transitions from attack to defense when their opponent wins possession of the ball.
• Creation zone in the middle quarter of the court where a team creates the attacking player movements to fool opponents, create space(s) and to setup shots on their opponents goal, and where the attacking team applies instant high pressure to win the ball back when possession of the ball is lost.
  
• Attacking zone in the quarter of the court where the attacking team in possession attempts to score on their opponents.

Creative Movement Schemes in Futsal

In Futsal, with only 4 attacking and 4 defending players, there is the width and depth necessary to learn the movement basic patterns (playing shapes) required to play soccer on a full size 11-a-side soccer field. With limited space on a Futsal court players learn that creative player exchanges, movement patterns and rotations create space and opportunities to score.

When training new players to attack successfully using cones or a court with a narrow lateral lane close to both touchlines teaches players to create space in the center of the court by playing wide. When attacking players play wide, on or behind these narrow lateral lines or cones, the 65% to 75% of the court in the  middle is usually open as available space for creating successful attacks.

Under each popular dynamic Futsal System of play, 3-1, 2-2, 4-0 and 3-2 there are animations of movement schemes that can be used to create attacking spaces and opportunities to score. These animations are only some of the possible movement schemes that can be created to play well, both in Futsal and Soccer.

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Futsal Dynamic 3-1 & 1-2-1 Systems
Futsal Dynamic 2-2 System
Futsal Dynamic 4-0 System
Futsal Dynamic 3-2 System
Futsal 2-1 Man Down System
Other Systems 1-3, 1-1-2, 2-1-1