It is very simple to get drawn into solely looking for that tactically symmetric formation, the role which suits each personality, or the strategy of your play. While these are all important, they all must be taken into consideration with your surroundings. It is no secret that climate and altitude plays a crucial role in preparation for professional 11-a-side teams. In 5-a-side football, it is also true that playing indoors or outdoors can have a massive effect on the way your team play.
With indoor 5-a-side football, fitness and stamina really are key. When the game kicks off, everyone has that surge of adrenalin, that urge to stretch for every ball, run for every pass and of course, that forbidden fruit, eye up that perfect slide tackle. Sadly, that urge will very quickly turn. Instead of stretching for every ball, you're limping around on one leg realising that a minutes warm up maybe wasn't the best idea. Instead of running for that killer ball, you're doubled over remembering that beer and a burger you earlier thought was all to do with carbohydrates and science. Instead of diving in to steal the ball from the opposition, you're lying on the floor and they're celebrating their first goal. Indoor football is cruel. Make no doubt about it.
To avoid this, you have to use your brain. You have to override that fighters instinct. If your team has the ball, always let the opposition run to you before finding your pass. Often, players feel the need to off-load a splitting through ball before they've even had the chance to see where their team mates are looking for runs. If you can show that match winning composure in the first period of the game, you will be on to a winner. If the opposition have the ball, sit deep. Let them pass sideways and backwards. If you press high, then one mistake, and they're through in goal with no time for the defenders to track back.
Outdoor 5-a-side football relies more on technical performance. The pitches tend to feel bigger, more open and indeed sometimes they actually are. Therefore, teams tend to press much higher up the park as fitness levels aren't quite as volatile and there is often time to chase back if they get caught out. In this case, dribbling, one twos and man marking are witnessed more often. If you're strong points are technique, then outdoor football is going to suit you better.
So, when musing over who is the most creative, who can smack the inside corner of the net from their own half, or who has the biggest waist line to stand firmly between the sticks, I hope you consider some of the points I have raised above.
And for the record, I would never doubt a beer and a burger is the way forward, for any situation!
