Futsal is Key for Player Development
Many people agree, to be a great soccer player, you should play Futsal. Pele, Ronaldo and Messi all play Futsal. Futsal is phenomenal for player development – it helps develop foot skills, speed and agility and is highly recommended by top coaches around the world.
619 Futsal is a futsal league in San Diego founded by Sean 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 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 soccer 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. 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.”
Played in a small space on a hard court floor – like a basketball court, every touch on the ball matters. Futsal is great for improving a player’s movement off the ball and overall fitness. The high-scoring Futsal games are great for team bonding and players have a blast.
The best reason to play? It is so fun – players love it and are improving their skills while playing.
Spring League Registration is now open. Season dates are April 3 to June 19, with no games scheduled on Easter, Mother’s Day or Memorial Day Weekend. Registration closes on February 29th.
Divisions:
Boys and Girls U7 – U14
High School (U15-U18)
Women’s Open
Men’s Open
Game Schedule: All (8) games are played on Sundays
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 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.
Conflicts: Teams may enter up to two conflict dates that will be granted. This must be done through the registration system.
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.
“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
