A BRAZILIAN Soccer School in Stockton gained further recognition this week for the effectiveness of their coaching with Brazilian World Cup winning midfielder, Juninho extolling the benefits of Futebol de Sal£o for younger players.

Juninho explained the secret behind why Brazil always produces players with great skill: "I think the best way to improve your skills is to play football on a smaller pitch. I didn't play 11-a-side football until I was 13. In Brazil most kids play Futebol de Sal£o."

Futebol de Sal£o is a South American game played on a hard, basketball court-sized pitch with a ball that is smaller and weighted with foam reducing its bounce.

Juninho explained: "This makes the ball harder to play with at first - but its great practice for when you move to full-size football. On a small pitch you need to have good control and move the ball quickly. The amount of space in 11-a-side is not good for kids, you spend too much time running around without the ball, in Futebol de Sal£o you are always involved.

"It's great to play 11-a-side when you're older - but its better if you learn to play on a smaller pitch first."

* For further details on Futebol de Sal£o and Brazilian Soccer Schools, call Richie Allan on 01642 606666, or visit www.icfds.com.