Futsal is Key for Player Development
Many people agree, to be a great soccer player, you should play Futsal. Futsal is fabulous training for soccer. Pele, Ronaldo and Messi all play Futsal. Futsal is phenomenal for player development. Futsal helps develop foot skills, speed and agility and is highly recommended by top coaches around the world.
Southern California has USYF’s 619 Futsal founded by Sean Bowers which provides a professionally run Futsal league for players – Spring Season registration is now open.
Played in a small space on a hard court floor, every touch on the ball matters. With all the fast-paced action, this sport is great for fitness. Another great benefit of Futsal is that player size does not matter. These fast-paced and high-scoring Futsal games are great for team bonding and players have a blast. The one single best reason to play? It is so fun and players love it.
Sean Bowers’ 619 Futsal Spring League Ready To Kick Off – The Spring Session is March 15 until June 14, 2015.
Registration is now open at San Diego’s 619 Futsal. Registration closes on February 22nd. Early Bird discounts are available ($25 off if you register by January 31st) and 619 Futsal is also offering a loyalty discount ($25 off for all retuning teams that played in the Winter 2014-2015 Session.)
DIVISIONS:
- Boys and Girls U7 – U14
- High School (U15-U18)
- Women’s Open
- Men’s Open
The Details: All games are played on Sundays at the Miramar Community College Fieldhouse Gym located next to the Ned Baumer Aquatic Center. Miramar College is located at 10440 Black Mountain Rd., San Diego 92126.
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 a lot of 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.
Expect your team to complete their 8 games in a 10-12 week timeframe.
No games will be scheduled on Easter, Mother’s Day and Memorial Day Weekend.
Conflicts: Teams may enter up to two conflict dates that will be granted. This must be done through the registration system.
Registration closes for all teams on February 22nd and there will be no extensions. Early Bird and Loyalty discounts can be combined. REGISTRATION LINK
What is Futsal? What is the difference between Futsal and soccer?
Using a smaller, heavier ball, futsal forces players to develop their ball handling skills to be successful on the small, open court. With no sideboards to keep the ball in play, players must focus on accurate passing, quick reflexes and rapid decision making. 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 the only form of indoor soccer officially recognized by FIFA, and has been used for decades to help develop the skills of some of the world’s top players. In the last few years, the U.S. Development Academy has added futsal to their player development program.
“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, who captained the U.S. Futsal National Team during his playing days. 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 also played for the San Diego Sockers was an outstanding defender in his pro career earning four-time Defender of the Year.
619 Futsal has been a success since day one. Each year more and more teams join the Futsal fun at Miramar College and have a great time while improving their ball control and soccer skills. Former professional soccer player and founder of 619 Futsal, Sean Bowers expects the numbers of teams to continue to grow. This winter session, Bowers is expecting over 750 player to enjoy playing Futsal. 619 Futsal had nearly 100 teams participate in the 2014 Spring Session and 75 teams participate in 2013 Winter Session.
From an opening 2011-2012 Winter League of 500 players, 619 Futsal has quickly grown in Southern California and continues to attract players and teams from around San Diego and beyond. It is not unusual to see players from Temecula, Chula Vista, Oceanside and even Orange County having a blast playing at 619 Futsal. Unlike some other Futsal leagues, 619 Futsal is not part of any youth soccer club, teams compete against other teams from around the county and beyond. “Coaches have no concerns recommending their players play futsal at 619 Futsal,” said Bowers. “There is no fear players will be recruited by other clubs. Everyone here is just here to play futsal and improve their skills. It is all about having fun and enjoying the game.”
