okansas.blogspot.com Occassional thoughts about orienteering
Sunday, May 03, 2009
Sprint orienteering = futsal?
Is sprint orienteering like futsal?
Futsal is a form of indoor soccer. Check out the video to get an idea (type "futsal" into youtube.com and you'll find a bunch of amazing videos).
I've just started reading The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle. He presents the idea that one reason Brazil produces so many great soccer players is that they play a lot of futsal. Futsal is fast and rewards quick moves and quick decisions. After playing a lot of futsal, playing on a full-sized grass field would feel slow.
Sprint orienteering can be a bit futsal-like, I think. On a good sprint course, the course setter forces you to make a lot of decisions. Features on the map seem to come at you quickly. If the terrain is a bit complex, the orienteering feels like it speeds up.