Futsal is Key for Player Development
619 Futsal’s Winter League is just around the corner as another session of futsal in San Diego helps youth players develop through the fast paced indoor game. Registration closes on October 20th with the first match scheduled for November 20th.
Futsal News: 619 Futsal is gearing up for its 2016-17 Winter League scheduled to kickoff on November 20th. Founded by Sean Bowers, former U.S. Futsal National Team captain and current San Diego Sockers General Manager, 619 Futsal provides San Diego with competitive youth futsal in region.
Bowers also played in the MLS and was one of the first players selected during the inaugural MLS Player draft in 1996 and played for the Kansas City Wizards. Bowers initially played for the San Diego Sockers, receiving Defender of the Year honors on four occasions.
619 Futsal is geared toward the technical development of youth soccer players and is an excellent alternative to indoor soccer. Bowers knows that playing futsal helps every player develop – with so many more touches on the ball in an hour than could ever possibly happen on the outdoor field, futsal is an incredible training tool.
“Youth soccer in the U.S. has fallen behind relative to the technical abilities of other countries. In order to become a competitive threat, we must create more well rounded soccer players and playing Futsal is an amazing player development tool,” says Bowers. “The young generation is our future. 619 Futsal offers an avenue for San Diego’s youth to play futsal and improve the technical side of their game. Every player can benefit from playing this fast paced game where you constantly have to think quickly and touch the ball.”
Futsal Trivia #1: Did you know that Futsal is the only form of indoor soccer recognized by FIFA? It became FIFA’s official form of indoor soccer in the 80s. The 5 v 5 small-sided games are played on a hard surfaced – usually a basketball sized court or a special Futsal court.
Futsal Trivia #2: Which is heavier? A soccer ball or a Futsal ball? If you picked Futsal ball — you are correct. Futsal is played with a smaller, heavier low-bounce ball.
Soccer icon Pele played the Futsal and is quoted as saying, “Futsal requires you to think and play fast. It makes everything easier when you later switch to football.” The sport is a great skill developer as it demands quick reflexes, fast thinking, pin-point passing. The small, heavier futsal ball requires players to hone their ball-striking and ball handling technique. Great soccer superstars such as Zico, Ronaldo, Messi, Kaka and Katia also grew up playing the game and credit futsal with developing their skills. Besides being a phenomenal training for soccer, Futsal is fun, action packed and a high-scoring, great game to play.
Futsal Is Not New
Futsal is the new rage in American soccer. However, as is often the case, the US is just catching on to what the world already knows. Superior soccer skill is built by simulating the outdoor game indoors with small sided games and a smaller ball.
World famous clubs such as Ajax have used this approach for years. Futsal has been around for over fifty years but US interest in soccer skill development has only recently focused attention on the training techniques used in successful soccer powerhouses such as Brazil, Holland, Germany, France, and Italy. Futsal has been around for many years but interest is just starting to explode in the United States.
WinterLeague Registration is now open. Season dates are November 20 to February 19, with no games scheduled on November 27th, Christmas Day or New Year’s Day. Registration closes on October 20th.
Divisions:
Boys and Girls U7 – U14
High School (U15-U18)
Women’s Open
Game Schedule: All (8) games are played on Sundays. No games will be scheduled on November 27th, Christmas Day or New Year’s Day.
Locations:
Miramar Community College – 10440 Black Mountain Road, San Diego, CA, 92126
Canyon Crest Academy – 5951 E Village Center Loop Rd, San Diego, CA 92130
Cost: $595 per team
Team Size Recommendation: Best option is 8 to 12 players. The minimum is 5 and the max is 18 for the roster.
Recommendation: Players can form teams with friends or with teammates. Having a large bench is not great fun for the players (nor the parents.) Often, if a club team wishes to play Futsal, the players can form two 619 Futsal teams and have a great time, and develop their foot skills.
Conflicts: Teams may enter up to two conflict dates that will be granted. This must be done through the registration system.
What is the difference between Futsal and soccer?
The small team size – only five players – also increases the number of touches on the ball. All of these work together to help spur development. Although many people know, some are still surprised to discover that Futsal is a recognized sport separate from soccer.
“Futsal is a great game. We’re really the only country that is still establishing a strong Futsal program and it is exciting to see it beginning to grow is the USA. Hopefully the kids here who play Futsal will represent our country like I did,” said Bowers.
Related Articles: THE DEAL ON FUTSAL, US YOUTH FUTSAL REGIONAL CHAMPIONS
