WANT TO BECOME A BETTER SOCCER PLAYER?
In 2017 — Futsal is Key for Player Development
619 Futsal’s Spring League is just around the corner as another session of futsal in San Diego starts — Futsal is a fabulous developmental tool which helps youth soccer players develop through the fast-paced, indoor game. “All the best professional players in the world have grown up playing Futsal. You have to think faster, move quicker in Futsal — it is amazing training for youth soccer players,” says Bowers. Players love how much they touch the ball and its fast pace.
Why is playing Futsal so key for player development? The speed of the game, the need for quick decision making, the frequent touches on the ball, the 1v1 action — just to name a few of the reasons … but the real reason? Top pros play Futsal and believe it makes them better soccer players.
Futsal News: The Futsal revolution is real and more elite players are starting to play Futsal than ever before.
619 Futsal is gearing up for its 2017 Spring League scheduled to kickoff on March 26th and we asked founder Sean Bowers, former U.S. Futsal National Team captain and current San Diego Sockers General Manager, why youth soccer players should play Futsal. 619 Futsal provides San Diego with top quality and developmentally-focused, competitive youth Futsal and is widely recognized as one of the country’s top Futsal organizations.
“619 Futsal is considered one of the leaders in the game today,” Keith Tozer, Commissioner / PFL and U.S. Futsal National Team Head Coach.
Who is Sean Bowers?
Bowers had a fabulous professional soccer career. Besides his tenure on the National Futsal Team as captain, he was one of the first players selected during the inaugural MLS Super Draft in 1996, selected by Sporting KC — which was then called Kansas City Wizards. And, of course, Bowers played for the played indoor soccer for the San Diego Sockers until 2010.
A leader on and off the pitch, Bowers knows what it takes to be successful as a professional player. Dedicated to the growth of the game, Bowers is a long time youth and collegiate soccer coach — highly knowledgeable on how to help youth soccer players develop their potential.
619 was created to provide the opportunity for youth players to become better technically. “Futsal allows every player — at any age and every level — to get many more touches on the ball — in a safe, competitive environment,” says Bowers.
“It was not a financial decision — starting 619 Futsal in 2011. Personally, I wanted to give back to the game of Futsal. I wish I had learned to play Futsal when I was 8 or 9 years old, I think I could have been a much better player,” says Bowers.
619 Futsal is geared towards the technical development of youth soccer players and provides a learning environment in which players can improve their skills and be creative.
“Playing on a competitive Futsal team is excellent for player development,” says Bowers. “With only five players a side, Futsal provides a dynamic environment with an incredibly high number of touches on the ball. My goal is to help create players who can play in the National Team.”
“I have played at the highest level possible in the United States — I have played in two World Cups and I want to give back, that’s why I started 619 Futsal — and I share my experience with the kids who play in our league,” says Bowers.
“Sean Bowers, former captain of the U.S. Futsal National Team — and his highly qualified staff — provide excellent Futsal programming through their leagues, tournaments and U.S. Youth Futsal ID trials,” said Tozer.
It is a different dynamic — away from the youth soccer club atmosphere, players are able to reach new levels and rapidly increase their technical skills. Since 619 Futsal is not connected with youth soccer club or league, players play for fun — and the joy of the game while they are actually improving their skills.
Free to put together a team on their own, many older players form teams crossing the traditional club boundaries. At 619 Futsal, players from the top teams all across San Diego will come together and play as one amazing team — and Bowers can often be seen watching the games and pulling players and coaches a side to share tips.
619 Futsal has several brackets; an elite bracket as well as intermediary / beginner bracket and places teams in the appropriate bracket so they can play truly competitive games. A highly competitive team can even play up in the age groups.
“The USA needs to produce soccer players who can think creatively and move quickly — you can’t go and hide when you are playing Futsal, the game teaches players how to become better defensively and offensively.”
A proven track record — over the past two years, approximately twenty 619 Futsal players have been selected for US Youth Futsal teams representing the United States during international events in Costa Rica (2015) and Colombia (2016).
“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.
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. The young generation of today’s youth soccer players are clearly our future. Every player can benefit from playing this fast paced game where you constantly have to think quickly, pass accurately and play both defensively as well as offensively.
The rules for Futsal are slightly different than outdoor soccer and referees must be highly experienced.
Working with U.S. Soccer’s Men’s Futsal National Team head coach Tozer, 619 Futsal is also well known and highly respected for their Futsal coaching education program — and for being a highly organized and professional organization. At 619 Futsal, 90% of the referees are adults with years of experience as a Futsal referee.
“If your looking for Futsal, 619 Futsal is the place to be. I highly recommend them,” said Tozer who is also a FIFA & CONCACAF Futsal Instructor as well as the Technical Director U.S. Youth Futsal.
619 Futsal Registration Info:
619 Futsal Divisions:
- Boys and Girls U7 – U18
- Women’s Open
619 Futsal Game Schedule: March 26-June 18. All 8 games are played on Sundays. No games scheduled on Easter, Mother’s Day or Memorial Day Weekend.
Cost: $595 per team
Loyalty Discount: $50 off for teams that played in 619 Futsal’s Winter 2016-17 session.
Team Size Recommendation: Best option is 7 to 10 players. The minimum is 5 and while the maximum number of players for a Futsal team is 18, no one has a lot of fun sitting on the bench.
Keep it fun: If a youth soccer club team wants to play Futsal consider forming two to three teams — this will give each player more time on the court and more touches on the ball.
2017 Spring League Registration is now open and closes on February 28th.
619 Futsal 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
Worried about Club game conflicts? 619 Futsal staff understands teams may have tournament or league match conflicts. Teams may enter up to two conflict dates which will be granted.
Early Bird Special: Register prior to February 10, 2017 and save $25 off your team registrations fee. All teams with paid register by Feb. 10 will also receive a 619 Futsal Sling Bag for each player.
Who has played Futsal?
Soccer icon Pele played futsal and said, “Futsal requires you to think and play fast. It makes everything easier when you later switch to football.”
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 Trivia:
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.
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