One of the key aspects of BSS methodology is Futsal de Salão. We use it as the basis of our kids football training because it creates highly-skilled football players. But, practice makes perfect and being able to practice so futsal-style drills at home will help your kid even more.
Within this article, we will guide you through some fun futsal-style drills that your kid can easily do at home.
1. Wall Pass Challenge
The Wall Pass Challenge trains both feet while improving first touch and passing accuracy. It sets the rhythm for all ball control work that follows. And it can easily be done at home. All you need is a football and a wall.
How to do it:
- Stand five feet from a wall.
- Pass, control, and return with one touch.
- Alternate between left and right foot.
- Move laterally between passes to simulate in-game positioning.
This drill builds the foundation for reactive play. When players have mastered passing tempo, they can move on to developing faster, softer touches with rhythm-focused drills.
2. Toe-Tap Rhythm Drill
The Toe-Tap Rhythm Drill will help your kid to develop their coordination, stamina, and balance which are all traits of futsal. It will also help them to learn how to keep the ball close which will help make it harder for players on opposing teams to take the ball.
All you need for this one is a football and a stopwatch and here is how to do it:
- Tap the top of the ball lightly with alternating feet.
- Stay light on your toes and maintain a steady beat.
- Start with 30-second rounds, rest, then increase time each set.
This is a simple drill but it is a powerful one to master. As your kids foot speed improves, they will begin to naturally move into more dynamic dribbling patterns, preparing for directional control.
3. Cone Weave Dribble
The Cone Weave teaches control, precision, and body balance, three essentials in any small-sided match, like Futsal de Salão. It will help your kid to manoeuvre their way through tight space.
You will need 5-6 cones (or anything you can dribble around) and a football.
How to do it:
- Set up 5–6 cones in a straight line, spaced about two feet apart.
- Dribble through using both feet and inside/outside touches.
- Keep the ball close; speed comes after control.
This drill connects to game reality as it will teach your kid how to navigate defenders in traffic. When a player can glide through cones cleanly, they are ready to learn how to change direction and control tempo with advanced movements.
4. The “V” Move Mastery
Direction changes are a big part of football as being able to do it well will help to keep opposing teams on their toes and help your kid to keep control of the ball. Being good at direction change also defines strong futsal players.
The “V” move helps beginners learn how to protect the ball while shifting pace to escape defenders. All you need for this drill is a football and a stopwatch.
How to do it:
- Pull the ball back diagonally using the sole of one foot.
- Push it forward at a new angle with the other foot, forming a “V.”
- Repeat continuously on both sides for 60 seconds.
This move combines control and deception, skills that build confidence in one-on-one situations. This drill is a natural bridge to live attacking and defensive drills.
5. Quick Turns Drill
This is another futsal-style drill that focuses on direction change. This drill strengthens balance, control, and acceleration after turns.
For this drill you will need two cones (or anything that can be dribbled around), a football and a stopwatch.
How to do it:
- Place two cones five yards apart.
- Dribble from one to the other, perform a turn (drag-back, inside cut, outside cut), and return.
- Keep sessions short and intense, about 60 seconds each.
This drill is a great way to help your kid with their body control and quick restarts. It will help them to begin mimicking how the ball changes direction during real matches.
Why we use Futsal de Salão in our Brazilian Soccer Schools Training
Futebol de Salão is the Brazilian version of futsal. The term “futsal” originates from the Portuguese “futebol de salão” and from the Spanish “fútbol sala” or “fútbol de salón”. They are all translatable as “indoor football”.
Futebol de Salão is a variant of association football and it is played between two teams of five players. It is played on a pitch that is the size of a basketball court with a smaller, size 2 football which is heavier (465g) and has virtually no bounce (10%).
The table below shows why we use it in our BSS training and how it will help you kid be the best football player they can be:
| Element of Futebol de Salão: | What it involves: | How it benefits your child: |
| 5-a-side format | Small-sided games with fewer players on the pitch | Every player is far more involved, so they spend more of the game on the ball |
| Smaller pitch | A tightly compressed playing area | Creates a faster, higher-pressure game that sharpens decision-making |
| Heavier and smaller (Size 2) ball* | A different ball to a standard Size 5 football | Rewards close control and clean technique, building core skills |
| Combined effect | The Futebol de Salão style as a whole | 600% more touches on the ball, accelerating core moves and skills |
All of these elements combined will help your kid to become a highly-skilled football player.
*With the football size, we do also use a smaller Size 2 ball as these are used by children under 12 years old. Once your child reaches our 11+ classes, they will begin working with the more conventional Size 4 and 5 balls.
Fun Futsal-Style Drills You Can Try at Home
In our training, we use Futebol de Salão as the basis for our training. This helps us to create highly-skilled football players. There are many futsal drills that can be done at home, needing only small pieces of equipment. These will help your kid to practice, to make you a part of their training and it can help to keep football training fun.
We hope you have found this article helpful and that you have fun with your kid doing these drills.