** Soccer/Futbol/Football Feet, Kits and Gear - 2013 **

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APRIL 08, 2013

WAYNE ROONEY'S TIPS FOR SMALL-SIDED FOOTBALL

Manchester United and England forward pinpoints why small-sided game helps sharpen skills at recent Nike FC247 shoot
At a recent shoot for the Nike FC247 collection in Manchester, England, Wayne Rooney shared insights about small-sided football, opened up about growing up in Liverpool and named his favorite part of training. During the shoot, Rooney tried out Nike's new Bomba Finale II, a shoe created for the demands of astroturf-based football.

Wayne, tell us about the area in which you grew up.

Football was everything to me and my friends, and we’d go out every day to play. Before school, after school, during school, football was all we were interested in. I think that was the same for so many kids growing up near me. I’d wake up, have breakfast, go out and play, go in, put my uniform on and head to school with a ball. I’d play before class, at lunchtime, come home and get out and play until it got dark. It was like a job even back then. I loved it so much. I think my mum was quite happy, as she knew exactly where I was.

So where did you start playing football?

I was very fortunate. At the back of my house there was a small five-a-side pitch that belonged to the local youth club. I’d only have to climb over my garden fence and there I was. There were other places too, we’d find a pitch in most spots but it was that pitch behind my house that me and my mates would play on for hours.

How many people would be playing in these games?

After school it could start out as three-a-side but soon end up fifteen-a-side. In the school holidays it might get to even more but soon people would tire and drop out and you might end up with just a few of you and the sun going down. I’d be out there on my own as well though. I’d go out with just a ball and practice shooting or dribbling or whatever.

So how much did that style of football help you perfect your skills?

It helped me loads. When I was on my own it was perfect. It was enclosed so I could smash the ball about and use the walls without the ball running away from me. I practiced passing and shooting all the time on my own and yes, I think it helped me get better and better.

Do you think those days affected the sort of player you became?

It helped me. I got used to having the ball at my feet and having to try and keep it at my feet. When you play that style of enclosed small-sided stuff you feel the benefits when you go out and play on grass in bigger-sided games because your control has improved and you benefit from having more space.

So how else does small-sided football benefit your game?

Small-sided games see you get the ball in much tighter situations and you need to be able to get yourself out of them. You are used to getting the ball and immediately are under the pressure and therefore learn about how best to cope with that pressure. When the pitch opens up in 11-a-side games, you seem to have all the space in the world. It definitely helped me. That’s for sure.

What specific skills can young people learn from small-sided games?

It’s great to master the game on concrete or Astro and if you can learn to control the ball and do tricks in small-sided games then once you come to a nice grass pitch you’ll find it easy. Playing in these small games and just working hard on skills, tricks, moves, it will help massively in the long run. Everything I learnt came from those small matches. The tactical side of things comes later but 95 percent of my game is from those days playing as a kid.

We can all see that today you have a competitive streak running through you. Was that developed on that tarmac pitch behind your house?

Yes! I have always been like that, whether I’m on the golf course, the computer or the football pitch. I have always wanted to win and it comes from how I was brought up. If I was losing against my mates, I could lose my cool if things went against me and now as a pro that’s something I’ve had to learn to control. You need to be competitive I think.

When you scored your famous goal against Arsenal in 2002, you went home and had a kick-about with your mates. Do you remember much about that game back home?

Yes, we went and played in the garages nearby. We’d practice our finishing all night. No one treated me any differently. A few congratulated me about the goal but otherwise no one really made a fuss.

Do you still get the temptation to get out and have a kick-about?

It’s harder now because at United we have so many games and rest is so important. I wouldn’t want to get injured either. I go in my garden as I have a five-a-side-pitch there and I take my son down and try and show him a few tricks.

How big a part do five-a-sides play at Manchester United?

We do a bit at the end of every session and it is the best bit of training. It’s not for long but it’s what we look forward to most. Having said that it is really important. You get to express yourself, I get to try and score goals and I as I said before, you work on tight situations and how you’d get out of them.

You’ve played in some of the great stadiums in the world but do you still get an urge to join in on a park when you’re passing?

Yeah of course. It takes you back to growing up when you’re learning to play. I love to see kids doing what I was doing when I was their age and it’s exciting to think that some of those guys will go on and make a career in the game.

What are your top five tips for playing small-sided football?

First of all awareness. It is so tight and you need to know where defenders and team-mates are. Next is vision. Again, it is very tight and you must work on seeing the spaces available. Technique is vital so your passing and shooting can be spot-on. Strength will help you, as you need to hold players off. and finally, finishing. All good teams need a good finisher, and with small goals, you’ll need to be at the top of your game. Just keep trying. There’s no pressure. These are the games when you can try new tricks without being judged.

Manchester United has been so strong in the league this season. How much of that form stems from the very bitter disappointment felt at the end of last season?

To lose the league in the last second was a bad feeling but when you’re at a club like United, you have to be full of motivation and desire to win every year. That comes from the manager, and all the players are aware of that. The club and the players have to be full of that desire and that’s why the club has been so successful.

You have a healthy lead at the top of the league, but how do you stay motivated and focused when it looks wrapped up?

You have to stay focused. You have to make sure that we keep doing our job and keep our concentration. One bad game and everything could fall and so we go out and play each game with a positive attitude.

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APRIL 10, 2013
ANDRÉS INIESTA, JORDI TORRAS SHARE THEIR MUTUAL ADMIRATION FOR FOOTBALL AND FUTSAL
FC Barcelona stars of Football and Futsal meet at recent shoot to discuss similarities of the two sports.

At a recent shoot for the Nike Football film "Andrés Iniesta: My Ground", the film's subject caught up with FCB Alusport Futsal counterpart Jordi Torras, one of the world's best Futsal players, to discuss their respective sports, motivation and their time at La Masia.

Both of you have won many trophies in your careers. What motivates you to keep pushing to achieve success?

Jordi: Personally, I maintain that ambition because I do something that I like. I think it's fundamental to have that ambition even though you've won many trophies or even won everything you can. For me it's crucial.

Andrés: As Jordi says, challenging yourself is fundamental, as is the desire to win and to keep improving. Obviously, nobody likes to lose. We all like playing well and being recognized for what we achieve.

What are the similarities between futsal and 11-a-side football?

Jordi: In my opinion, there are many similarities to the way the current Barcelona team play. Their midfield is amazing. When we see their touch and control, their understanding, the passing and movement, the shielding – these skills are normal in futsal, so there are many similarities.

Andrés: I love futsal. I personally enjoy it a lot. As a professional footballer, perhaps the tactical elements and movement in the game gets lost on you. But what I love is their skill with the ball, the intensity of the moves, the side steps, the blocks, the passing. Watching it is a real pleasure. I take my hat off to futsal players because it's extremely difficult. Watching it on TV is different to when you train or play it for real.

Jordi, what aspect of Andrés Iniesta's game would you like to have?

Jordi: He never loses the ball. It honestly looks like he's dancing with the ball, that he's always in control of it although he's surrounded by four or five opponents. I love watching him do that.

And you, Andrés, what aspect of Jordi's game do you admire?

Andrés: For me his ability on the ball is key. As a midfielder who likes to be in possession, controlling the ball will always be crucial. Looking at him and his team-mates making split-second decisions on the ball, when they bring it under control — I love it when Jordi has the ball.

When you're young and in your hometown and the only thing available is a school playground to play futsal — well, I've always said that today Andrés Iniesta is a footballer, but I grew up playing futsal on the playground, which I believe has a lot to do with many of the things that I can do today.

If you had to choose one moment in your careers that is most special to you, what would it be?

Andrés: For me it was the day I made my debut in the Barcelona first team. When I was young I never thought about achieving so much; my goal was to become a La Liga player. It was a dream that I spent years pursuing at la Masia.

Jordi: I see where I am now as success, the day-to-day, that for me is the main achievement, apart from all the trophies I have won. Enjoying these moments, the important games for your club and the national squad — for me, these moments, the feeling of a must-win game, that is something unique and incredible. I think that only the players on the pitch can experience that.

Both of you grew up in la Masia. What is it about la Masia that makes it so special?

Andrés: I think that what makes it special is that you grow up at home. It's a special feeling. When you make it to the first team after so many years, after pursuing a dream that becomes closer to reality on a daily basis, after working so hard — when you feel part of something, when you really feel it, it makes it yours. I believe that this is the essence, the secret of those who grow up in La Masia, we have an added bonus that makes it different.

Jordi: My experience at La Masia is totally different to that of Andrés. He has always been part of the Barcelona set-up, from the Academy to the first team. I was in the Academy and was moulded there. But futsal was non-professional and very different than what it is now. I knew that staying in Barcelona at that time wasn't the best for me. And I had to make a difficult decision to try something new as each person has to find their own way in order to grow. When they asked me to return three years ago I didn't think twice. It’s great to be here at home, as captain of the team, lifting trophies up and watching how futsal has grown considerably.

Andrés you mentioned that you started playing futsal in your home town. How did playing futsal help you become the player you are today?

Andrés: When I started, or when I played futsal, I didn't think about becoming a footballer. I played futsal just like many of my friends. We spent hours on the school playground. It was an education that I've carried with me all these years. As I said before, my game today is what it was when I was 8 to 10 years old. I've obviously improved through having to compete and be better, and also thanks to the support and coaching I have received from the best professionals. But, without a doubt, what I was when I was younger is what I continue to be today.

Do you still play futsal or is it consigned to the past?

Andrés: No, because of my job, I rest in the spare time that I have because our schedules are very tight. But I still watch and follow it. It’s a sport that I like a lot.

You have tried the new Nike Elastico Finale II (when filming the "My Ground’ video for Nike Football) – how did they feel?

Andrés: They're fantastic, considering I played on a surface I don’t usually play on with a ball I don’t play with. They were extremely comfortable and I felt great wearing them. In my opinion, comfort is fundamental in football and in the Elastico shoe.

Jordi you wore the new Nike Lunar Gato II during the shoot. What were they like?

Jordi: These shoes are great for me. After one training session with the Gatos, they already feel perfect. The sole has changed — it's much more flexible. This is key on this surface. The feel you have for the ball and the court is great especially when turning on the ball. The leather is also much softer, it feels like a sock.

Finally, what was it like to film "Andrés Iniesta: My Ground" together?

Andrés: It was great experience to spend some time with the professional futsal players and I had a fantastic time.

Jordi: For us to have a player of the calibre of Andrés Iniesta on our court really helps us to improve. Futsal is a sport that is on the up and gaining more and more recognition, especially here in Barcelona, and to work with Andrés was a pleasure.

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