Futsal lesson · When the ball changes teams · Beginner

Delay and Cover

One defender approaches under control while a teammate protects the dangerous pass.

What the coach says

Blue has the ball. Gold protects the lower goal.
Which job helps the nearest gold player?
The wing slows the attack. The fixo covers behind.
Blue passes right. The gold team shifts across.
Who should now approach the ball?
The right wing steps up; the others protect the middle.
Blue keeps possession, but the direct route to goal is closed.
Blue carries wider. Our right ala follows under control, while the goalkeeper shifts with the shooting angle.

Try to answer before you read the coach’s explanation. On the island you answer each one on the pitch.

Question 1
Which job helps the nearest gold player?
- Run beyond the carrier
- Set between carrier and goal
Coach’s explanation: Stand between the ball and our goal and slow the attacker down, while the fixo covers behind.
Question 2
Who should now approach the ball?
- The left ala approaches
- The right ala approaches
Coach’s explanation: The right wing is nearest. The fixo can remain behind as cover.
Question 3
True or false? When the ala steps up to the ball, the fixo steps up too.
- False
- True
Coach’s explanation: It's false. The ala slows the ball while the fixo covers behind.
Question 4
Blue's pivot has the ball. Which picture keeps our goal safest?
- Ala and fixo both stay back
- Fixo behind the ala
- Fixo next to the ala
Coach’s explanation: The ala slows the ball, and the fixo covers behind to protect the goal.
Question 5
Blue passes to the left wing. Our left ala steps up. Where does the fixo cover?
- At the ball with the ala
- Behind our left ala, inside
- Stay out on the right
Coach’s explanation: The fixo covers behind and inside, so a pass past the ala is not free.