Coaches Had An Opportunity To Learn From The Best – Keith Tozer
Keith Tozer, conducted a U.S. Youth Futsal National Level 3 Coaching Course in San Diego on April 9 and 10. A life-long passion for soccer has led Tozer to becoming the voice of futsal in our country. Mr. Futsal – as we like to call him – is Commissioner of the new PFL, Head Coach of U.S. Futsal Men’s National Team, the Technical Director for U.S. Youth Futsal as well as a FIFA Futsal Instructor. A former professional soccer player who played in the Major Indoor Soccer League, American Soccer League and American Indoor Soccer Association, Tozer is a widely respected indoor soccer and futsal coach.
Futsal is taking the USA by storm and more and more youth soccer payers are turning to this fast-paced and fun filled game which enhances technique and skill with 1,000s of touches on the ball. Widely recognized as a key developmental tool by US Soccer, the top soccer players in the world plays Futsal — yes, Ronaldo and Messi are just two of many world-class players who play Futsal.
The US Youth Futsal National Level 3 Coaching Course is a 20-hour event that covers the basic techniques and advanced tactics of futsal. Coaches participate in discussions and training activities and on the second day of the course must design and lead a training session for their peers, via which they are assessed. Designed for coaches who wish to lead high level youth futsal training sessions and matches, this course was recently held in San Diego, one of seven US Youth Futsal regional centers.
“This was the first futsal coaching class that was offered in Southern California and we had over 20 coaches, including the 619 Futsal staff. Keith Tozer did a terrific job over the 2 day period. The futsal coaching course was 20 hours of non-stop futsal to help coaches understand the game of futsal and to apply it to their curriculum for their particular club. It was an amazing experience,” said Sean Bowers, Regional Director, U.S. Youth Futsal and President of 619 Futsal.
“The coaches clinic was such a great way to educate southern California coaches on the fundamentals of futsal. The National level 3 Futsal course was eye opening to the 20 coaches who completed the 20 hour, 2 day course, which was led by US Men’s National Futsal Team Head Coach Keith Tozer and Goalkeeper Coach Mark Litton. Everyone was eager to go back to their teams and share their new knowledge of the technical and tactical aspects of futsal. 619 Futsal and US Youth Futsal have tentative plans to host another Futsal coaching course in 2016,” said Bree Duckworth, 619 Futsal, Director of Operations.
“Futsal is the future! Our youth is the future! It was amazing to see so many young soccer players evolve within the U.S. Youth futsal Southwest Regional Futsal I.D. Camp. From improved footwork, to better movement off the ball it’s clear that futsal enhances technical and tactical knowledge. The likes of top professional players Ronaldo, Messi and De Gea have paid tribute to the beneficial effects of playing futsal in their youth,” said soccer coach Nicole Farley.
Nicole Farley coaches youth soccer at Laguna United Football Club (LUFC) and Dana High School. Farley is the high school’s Head Coach for the Junior Varsity Girls. Farley’s Laguna United U19 team were finalists in the Orange County Kickoff Classic in summer 2014 and her U12 girls made the finals of the Long Beach Invitational.
“This Southwest Regional Futsal I.D Camp was led by a fantastic staff from the U.S. Men’s National Futsal Team and 619 Futsal. Working alongside them was not only inspiring and educational, but evidence that the futsal player pyramid is growing within our Nation,” said Farley. “I am honored to complete my National Level 3 Futsal coaching license under their leadership and look forward to creating more futsal opportunities for our young boys and girls. Forever Futsal!”
Tozer, the coaching course instructor, was very happy with his first course in San Diego, “The coaching clinic in San Diego was fantastic. The attendance was terrific and this was one of the largest clinics we had across the nation. I thought all the coaches were thirsty for information, which is great for me as all the coaches were eager to learn. I saw a lot of improvement from the coaches over a short period of time, especially from the youth soccer coaches who took the course and then assisted with the Futsal ID Camp. They all said they learned a lot more — Instead of going to a coaching course and not practicing their trade for a couple of week’s, these coaches were able to use what they learned immediately as they watched Marc and I lead the coaching clinic. And they received instant feedback on their efforts coaching.”
“We had several very talented coaches take the course. One coach, Nicole Farley did a fabulous job. She asked a lot of questions and she just has this aura to learn but also have a lot of fun. She is very confident, even when she knows that she is learning. We had two women attend the course and everyday I have been pushing to have more women involved in the game of Futsal,” said Tozer.
“There are going to be more courses in the future. Every day people reach out to me through social media to ask if I can come out to teach a course or an academy.” said Tozer. “All the players here in San Diego have Futsal experience. It is high level players – so much better than a year ago. Sean is my ex-captain of our country’s National Futsal Team and I am very proud of him and what he has done with the Futsal program.”
Jon Parry, who played in the 1996 Futsal World Cup and the Executive Director of US Youth Futsal said “The game of Futsal has evolved so quickly, coaching education is a huge component going forward and it is not that often that you have a National Team coach able to educate and train. In the past year, we have had over 100 coaches attend our program and the recent San Diego coaching clinic was very successful. Keith is an amazing coach and instructor and Sean Bowers is still the most capped Futsal player in American history.”
“Keith Tozer and Mark delivered passion and knowledge during the futsal coaching course that made my learning experience unique and fun-filled. I now feel confident in applying this new skill set at the next level,” said Valerie Strocco, US Youth Futsal Southwest Regional Coach.
RELATED ARTICLES: U.S. Youth Futsal Coaching Course, 2015 Southwest Region Futsal I.D. Camp
