ABSTRACT
O artigo tem o objetivo de traçar um perfil do processo de iniciação ao futsal de jogadores juvenis. Compuseram a amostra 47 participantes, de 17,76±1,28 anos, de equipes semifinalistas do campeonato paranaense. Para a coleta de dados, aplicou-se um formulário. Levantou-se que os jogadores se iniciaram no futsal aos 9,44±3,66 anos, sendo que 51 entre 05 e 09 anos, 38,29 entre 10 e 14 anos e 10,63 entre 15 e 18 anos; em 48,93 dos casos, a família inscreveu-os nessa modalidade; o vínculo federativo foi aos 12,44±4,41 anos, sendo que 34 entre 05 e 11 anos e 66 entre 12 e 18 anos; 19,13 foram campeões estaduais na iniciação e 53,16 praticaram, simultaneamente, outras modalidades nesta fase. Concluiu-se que embora boa parte dos participantes tenha se iniciado cedo no futsal, a maioria, segundo a literatura esportiva, competiu em âmbito federado numa idade adequada, participou de outros esportes e não ostenta títulos de expressão conquistados na infância.
The aim of this study is to draw a profile of the process of futsal initiation of youth players. The sample was made up of 47 participants, of 17.76±1.28 years old, from semifinalist teams of the Paraná state championship. A questionnaire was used to collect the data. It has been determined that the players started playing futsal at the age of 9.44±3.66, and 51 of them were between 05 and 09 years old, 38.29 between 10 and 14 years old, 10.63 etween 15 and 18 years old; in 48.93 of the cases their families were responsible for their enrollment in this category. Affective link happened at the age of 12.44±4.41, 34 were between 05 and 11 and 66 between 12 and 18 years old; 19.13 were state champions in the initiation phase and 53.16 practiced, simultaneously, other sports at his stage. We have concluded that, although a great number of participants have started their futsal practice early, most of them, according to sports literature, have competed in federated sphere at adequate age, took part in other sports and have not been given any special titles during childhood.