Skills session

Former All White Michael Groom demonstrates the importance of good balance to Arnon Tapp, 10, of Masterton during a coaching session hosted by the Alegria School of Samba Style Soccer in Hamilton. Tapp, who plays for Wairarapa United and Carterton, was one of a number of youngsters being instructed in the value of Futsal, an FIFA approved game which is a condensed version of normal soccer. All children in Brazil play Futsal before playing conventional soccer with a major benefit being that it teaches players to work in a confined space and to learn the skills of one and two-touch football. Furthermore the game is played with a ball which is smaller but heavier and harder to lift than a normal soccer ball and as a result encourages players to pass along the ground