Futsal task constraints promote the development of soccer passing skill: evidence and implications for talent development research and practice

ABSTRACT Both anecdotal and research evidence suggests that futsal could be a key developmental activity for soccer. Futsal task constraints (e.g., equipment and playing area) have been argued to promote the acquisition of perceptual–motor skills that positively transfer to soccer and, in turn, improve performance in soccer. However, a lack of empirical evidence in support of this argument limits current understanding. In this commentary, we discuss three studies that provide empirical support for the benefits of practising the passing skill with futsal task constraints to enhance performance in soccer. Practising futsal for more than 1000 h and learning the passing skill with the futsal ball promoted the development of a higher standard of passing relative to practising with soccer constraints. Futsal task constraints promoted players’ education of attention towards information specifying affordances and functional adaptability of the passing skill. These results should encourage national soccer federations and coaches to strongly consider the systematic introduction of futsal in the early stages of soccer development programmes to promote talent development. Future research should examine the optimal balance of soccer and futsal practice, and the timing of specialisation to soccer, adopting the underpinning principles of representative learning design.