Fitness drive for Futsal referees

Specialist area
Nearly 40 of Europe's top Futsal match officials are at UEFA's headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland for their inaugural UEFA seminar, which is focusing on how this specialist area of refereeing should evolve, and the type of training and fitness required as the game continues to develop tactically and technically.

Considerable differences
Two referees and timekeepers are needed in Futsal to ensure that the game is free-flowing and is played in the right spirit. As Futsal matches are usually played indoors, there are considerable differences between refereeing a Futsal match and an eleven-a-side game.

Like assistant referees
Belgian referee fitness and training expert Werner Helsen told the seminar that Futsal referees could be likened to eleven-a-side assistant referees in terms of their actual activity during a match, as well as in flexibility, positioning, visual concentration on the game and on the second match official.

Proper training
"This means that Futsal referees must have the proper fitness training to get into the best possible viewing angle to take the appropriate decision," Helsen said. "They need speed and agility – it helps their positioning, coordination, concentration and self-confidence." The Futsal referees are taking part in a special training session with Helsen in Nyon as part of their two-day stay.

Interpretation aim
Uniform interpretation of Futsal's specific Laws of the Game is on the agenda, and the referees are joining members of UEFA's Futsal and Referees Committees, FIFA experts and specialist Futsal instructors to look at ways of achieving this goal throughout Europe.

Target groups
"We recognise the specificity of Futsal as a game, so UEFA feels it must address the various target groups within the game's development – and that obviously includes the referees and their education," said UEFA competition operations director Jacob Erel in his opening address to the seminar.

Important entity
Referees Committee member Vlado Slajn (Slovenia) spoke about UEFA's contribution to the development of Futsal in recent times, referring to the inaugural UEFA European Futsal Championship in 1999, and the launching of the UEFA Futsal Cup for club teams in the 2001/02 season. With numerous domestic championships also taking place across Europe, he added, Futsal was becoming an important entity in its own right.

Improving performance
"As the standard of Futsal has progressed so rapidly, in terms of technique, speed and competitiveness, the Futsal referees must be ready to keep up with this development, and strive to improve their performance," said Mr Slajn.