Again, sorry for the delayed post, but thank you for the emails and requests for more activity. With that, here's a question: What would you give this past World Cup?
I'd give it 4 Stars...
That's right people, there will be an endless amount of ADIDAS memorabilia headed our way, and we'll be buying it for the next four years until a new king of the cup is crowned. Remember all that España gear? So last year. It's time to strap on the black, red and gold and strut your stuff like a true Deutscher Meister. And when someone asks who your favorite player is, just change the subject... Bandwagoner.
But in case you truly want to know, here are four guys in particular who we might call The Four Horsemen of this glorious German ensemble. Now... don't get testy, I'm not saying they are the best of the squad (we all know Shürrle, Lahm, and Götze showed up) but I am just assisting those NOT in the know with some notable names, calm down.
Don't adjust your TV set, above is Miroslav Klose performing his signature celebration. He is now the all-time scorer in World Cup history, removing Brazilian great Ronaldo from the helm. He scored the record point against Brazil, in Brazil to replace Brazil... OUCH.
A complete midfielder. Vision, awareness, and accuracy. His passing percentage always hovers above and around 90%, and he scored two in the Brazilian annihilation. Tony Kroos is simply amazing in the middle. Why do the pretty boys always find their way to the Bernabeu? Yep, he is joining the pretty faces at Real Madrid for the upcoming club season...lame.
...lame. (Jealousy Speaking)
The lucky number 13. The lanky, often not pretty, but always effective, Thomas Müller. Had a Hat-trick in the first group game, one strike away from the tournament Golden Boot award, and mastered a duel personality as striker and outside mid. Greatest accomplishment? Getting Pepe, king of the fake injury and time suckage ejected from the game by accepting an enraged headbutt.
Now Ladies and Gentleman, it is time for the ultimate competitor. The hard working, blue collar-esque, down in the trenches, do or die midfielder and V.P. captain, Mr. Bastian Schweinsteiger!!! Just look at that face, need I say more? When was the last time you put this much blood and sweat into your work?
ADRIAAAAAAAAN!!!!
4 Stars, 4 players, 4 years away from the next Adidas or Nike marketing onslaught. What else can we discuss that is synonymous with this game of quads?
Of Course!! The four positions of Futsal. As we know, the game is played as 5-a-side, but two of the positions are titled the same and perform similar responsibilities dependent upon match strategy.
When I attended the Leadership Summit for USYF last month, one of the poignant moments for me was when Coach Keith Tozer of the USMNT of Futsal said that the game may be growing here in the states but we are still such novice.
He is so right. How can we play a game that we don't even know the proper names or responsibilities? To properly grow this sport, we must uniformly organize ourselves if we want to compete with the great teams of the world.
Therefore, I would like to introduce the positions as recognized around the world so we may begin the maturation process. I will get into greater detail of each individual position within future posts but just so we are speaking the same language as the rest of the world, let's identify the proper names and general responsibilities of each position.
Here is a little mock-up I sketched on Futsal Manager 13, a Futsal App I purchased in the Apple App Store.
I placed the players in two basic set-ups where you might find them at a kick off, but remember, these are just two. With that, lets look at the four "official" positions as the world knows them:
1. Goliero: That's right, the Goalkeeper. Probably the most specialized position in this sport. However, unlike the traditional 11 on 11, the goalkeeper must also develop an attacking side of his/her game to match the pace and scaled down size of the pitch. I love the UEFA description in an article published in 2003 called The Art of Futsal Goalkeeping.
"It is often said that you must be mad to be a football goalkeeper. If that is the case, the sanity of the Futsal custodian must surely be even more in question... In the fast-paced and frenetic atmosphere of Futsal, the goalkeeper is on the receiving end of a barrage of fierce shots...and, given the smaller playing area... the Futsal goalkeeper's attacking instincts are crucial."
2. Fixo: The "defensive" minded player, but not like you would think it to be. We saw in the World Cup these tall, physical specimens stopping ground and arial attacks in statuesque fashion. But much like the Goliero, things move a bit differently on the plastic surface. The Fixo is thinking more distribution, creating space and relieving pressure by moving the ball not just stopping it. Think the bottom point of a diamond midfield.
3. Ala: The most notable position on the pitch in the sense that the ball is possessed the most by these players and the names in the game resemble that of Falcão, Ricardinho, and Javi Rodríguez; Futsal legends. As in the 11-a-side format, the ball is won and lost in the middle and possession is key. Therefore, the Fixos who distribute, attack, AND defend make the Futsal world go round.
4. Pivo: The "Forward", for lack of a better designation. However, I feel this position is much more challenged than in the general sense. Forget the freedom of long runs with the ball crossed from the lengthy sides or from over the top. Forget the give and goes that spread the defense to present a one-on-one with the Keeper. Nope, try having your back facing the goal much of the time, balls racing at your feet with a split second to decide if you shoot or lay them off. You must be much more physical, leaning on defenders and fighting for possession within inches of space. Not the galloping type but a nose for goal? You just might be a Pivo.
Me? I am the unapologetic consumer. I am going to indulge in the German retail gluttony that is to come in the next four years. I'll have German shirts, German socks, German beanies, German friends, anything to remind all Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Spanish fans here in Southern California that the tide has changed and there is a new Kinder on the block.
However, when it comes to Futsal? I'll "Go All In" (Adidas Campaign). That means, I am not just wearing the shirt or the Sala shoes. I am learning the language, the culture, the players, the pace and the confidence that is Futsal, I hope you and your kids will too.
Nick Martinez
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