Futsal in the DMV

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

In non-COVID time, is futsal better than indoor soccer?

The question is for whom. My daughter is more technical and fast (very) than aggressive (moderate), and is a much better fustal player than she was a travel soccer player.

Do you want to be a soccer player, indoor soccer player or futsal player?

I’m not the PP but is playing indoors with walls vs futsal improve outdoor soccer more? I think I might answer my own questions by saying that it depends what a player needs to improve more, aggressiveness or foot skills.

They're both fine. My kid has played a lot of both. Futsal is a lot more disciplined. The wall in indoor soccer allows players to pass it to themselves and not worry nearly as much about the touch on their passes. People continue talking about footskills in futsal (and BTW, there needs to be plenty of aggressive play in futsal as well). The footskill development can occur at home. Futsal (and indoor soccer) can improve it by forcing the player (if she is able) to handle the ball in tight space. But by far the biggest benefit of playing small-sided in any context (futsal, indoor soccer or outdoor soccer) is understanding the need to transition rapidly offensively and defensively off the ball. This has nothing to do with footskills, or even aggression. It is more about anticipation and rapid movement into the right position on offense or defense. It is exactly the skill that one learns is high-level basketball, but the difference is that scoring is at a much greater premium in any form of small-sided game than in basketball, meaning that players cannot really take any transition or play off.

Well said and great points especially about the transition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

In non-COVID time, is futsal better than indoor soccer?

The question is for whom. My daughter is more technical and fast (very) than aggressive (moderate), and is a much better fustal player than she was a travel soccer player.

Do you want to be a soccer player, indoor soccer player or futsal player?

I’m not the PP but is playing indoors with walls vs futsal improve outdoor soccer more? I think I might answer my own questions by saying that it depends what a player needs to improve more, aggressiveness or foot skills.

They're both fine. My kid has played a lot of both. Futsal is a lot more disciplined. The wall in indoor soccer allows players to pass it to themselves and not worry nearly as much about the touch on their passes. People continue talking about footskills in futsal (and BTW, there needs to be plenty of aggressive play in futsal as well). The footskill development can occur at home. Futsal (and indoor soccer) can improve it by forcing the player (if she is able) to handle the ball in tight space. But by far the biggest benefit of playing small-sided in any context (futsal, indoor soccer or outdoor soccer) is understanding the need to transition rapidly offensively and defensively off the ball. This has nothing to do with footskills, or even aggression. It is more about anticipation and rapid movement into the right position on offense or defense. It is exactly the skill that one learns is high-level basketball, but the difference is that scoring is at a much greater premium in any form of small-sided game than in basketball, meaning that players cannot really take any transition or play off.

Well said and great points especially about the transition.

Totally agree with this, and want to twist and say it in a slightly different way because I think this wraps several benefits together into one statement that deserve to stand on their own too (IMO). Futsal (or indoor) and small sided provides FAR more touches and specifically opportunities to make decisions and impact those transitions offense/defense. With half as many players and a more quickly moving game. For parents who maybe played other sports growing up, I'd compare it to 7v7 drills in football. The goalie is going to handle it much more and therefore get better and faster reaction times. Much improved reaction time for outdoors especially to the breakaway/3v2 type situations. The field players are all essentially midfielders and forced to play in the compressed space and time/space considerations, as well as tighter angles with smaller space. Also works on pace of ball especially as more and more fields outdoor become turf and the ball moves faster. This also works reaction time and game/space awareness, along with the rapid transitions as the poster above says. I get that I'm saying the same thing as above poster, but wanted to call out a couple additional benefits too.

[Anonymous]

So many futsal marketers on these boards... If you want to play futsal go ahead, but don’t pretend it’s some sort of soccer training equivalent. Different ball, different surfaces, different tactics, etc...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So many futsal marketers on these boards... If you want to play futsal go ahead, but don’t pretend it’s some sort of soccer training equivalent. Different ball, different surfaces, different tactics, etc...

I don't know. I'm just a dad, and was never even a big soccer player (back when I was a kid, we just had rec soccer), but I do remember reading about how CR7 loves futsal, and how it was his "favorite" sport. I get that it's a different ball, difference playing surface, and that there is a different strategy involved, but I have talked to a few serious soccer players who rave about futsal and how it's improved their game.

In my limited experience so far, futsal is a fun game to play (so says my kid) and an exciting game to watch (say I) even though as as spectator I prefer soccer because I actually enjoy some of the longer build-up and it's a little easier to follow. Futsal is like the foot-centric alternative to basketball. I'm very glad we're giving it a try this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:St James told us this at the coaches call a week ago. $5/spectator, capped at 25/court. Different color wristbands for hour, gym would be vacated by everyone for clean between games and a new set of spectators allowed in the building.

I did hear the 25 spectator max per game limit, but not the $5 fee for spectators. Does your child play for St. James?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So many futsal marketers on these boards... If you want to play futsal go ahead, but don’t pretend it’s some sort of soccer training equivalent. Different ball, different surfaces, different tactics, etc...

Ronaldinho credited his soccer skills/talents from his constant futsal playing when he was growing up. If you don’t think futsal is beneficial then don’t play. But saying it’s not beneficial is purely dumb.

Players with decent to great technical skills and first touch loves futsal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

In non-COVID time, is futsal better than indoor soccer?

The question is for whom. My daughter is more technical and fast (very) than aggressive (moderate), and is a much better fustal player than she was a travel soccer player.

Do you want to be a soccer player, indoor soccer player or futsal player?

I’m not the PP but is playing indoors with walls vs futsal improve outdoor soccer more? I think I might answer my own questions by saying that it depends what a player needs to improve more, aggressiveness or foot skills.

They're both fine. My kid has played a lot of both. Futsal is a lot more disciplined. The wall in indoor soccer allows players to pass it to themselves and not worry nearly as much about the touch on their passes. People continue talking about footskills in futsal (and BTW, there needs to be plenty of aggressive play in futsal as well). The footskill development can occur at home. Futsal (and indoor soccer) can improve it by forcing the player (if she is able) to handle the ball in tight space. But by far the biggest benefit of playing small-sided in any context (futsal, indoor soccer or outdoor soccer) is understanding the need to transition rapidly offensively and defensively off the ball. This has nothing to do with footskills, or even aggression. It is more about anticipation and rapid movement into the right position on offense or defense. It is exactly the skill that one learns is high-level basketball, but the difference is that scoring is at a much greater premium in any form of small-sided game than in basketball, meaning that players cannot really take any transition or play off.

Well said and great points especially about the transition.

Totally agree with this, and want to twist and say it in a slightly different way because I think this wraps several benefits together into one statement that deserve to stand on their own too (IMO). Futsal (or indoor) and small sided provides FAR more touches and specifically opportunities to make decisions and impact those transitions offense/defense. With half as many players and a more quickly moving game. For parents who maybe played other sports growing up, I'd compare it to 7v7 drills in football. The goalie is going to handle it much more and therefore get better and faster reaction times. Much improved reaction time for outdoors especially to the breakaway/3v2 type situations. The field players are all essentially midfielders and forced to play in the compressed space and time/space considerations, as well as tighter angles with smaller space. Also works on pace of ball especially as more and more fields outdoor become turf and the ball moves faster. This also works reaction time and game/space awareness, along with the rapid transitions as the poster above says. I get that I'm saying the same thing as above poster, but wanted to call out a couple additional benefits too.

Well said here as well.

Any player that is or wants to be an outdoor soccer midfielder, they really need to play futsal. My DD actually loves playing both indoor soccer and futsal. While different, they are both very face pace and requires fast decisions making.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

In non-COVID time, is futsal better than indoor soccer?

The question is for whom. My daughter is more technical and fast (very) than aggressive (moderate), and is a much better fustal player than she was a travel soccer player.

Do you want to be a soccer player, indoor soccer player or futsal player?

I’m not the PP but is playing indoors with walls vs futsal improve outdoor soccer more? I think I might answer my own questions by saying that it depends what a player needs to improve more, aggressiveness or foot skills.

They're both fine. My kid has played a lot of both. Futsal is a lot more disciplined. The wall in indoor soccer allows players to pass it to themselves and not worry nearly as much about the touch on their passes. People continue talking about footskills in futsal (and BTW, there needs to be plenty of aggressive play in futsal as well). The footskill development can occur at home. Futsal (and indoor soccer) can improve it by forcing the player (if she is able) to handle the ball in tight space. But by far the biggest benefit of playing small-sided in any context (futsal, indoor soccer or outdoor soccer) is understanding the need to transition rapidly offensively and defensively off the ball. This has nothing to do with footskills, or even aggression. It is more about anticipation and rapid movement into the right position on offense or defense. It is exactly the skill that one learns is high-level basketball, but the difference is that scoring is at a much greater premium in any form of small-sided game than in basketball, meaning that players cannot really take any transition or play off.

Well said and great points especially about the transition.

Totally agree with this, and want to twist and say it in a slightly different way because I think this wraps several benefits together into one statement that deserve to stand on their own too (IMO). Futsal (or indoor) and small sided provides FAR more touches and specifically opportunities to make decisions and impact those transitions offense/defense. With half as many players and a more quickly moving game. For parents who maybe played other sports growing up, I'd compare it to 7v7 drills in football. The goalie is going to handle it much more and therefore get better and faster reaction times. Much improved reaction time for outdoors especially to the breakaway/3v2 type situations. The field players are all essentially midfielders and forced to play in the compressed space and time/space considerations, as well as tighter angles with smaller space. Also works on pace of ball especially as more and more fields outdoor become turf and the ball moves faster. This also works reaction time and game/space awareness, along with the rapid transitions as the poster above says. I get that I'm saying the same thing as above poster, but wanted to call out a couple additional benefits too.

Well said here as well.

Any player that is or wants to be an outdoor soccer midfielder, they really need to play futsal. My DD actually loves playing both indoor soccer and futsal. While different, they are both very face pace and requires fast decisions making.

^fast pace. (not face pace)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

In non-COVID time, is futsal better than indoor soccer?

The question is for whom. My daughter is more technical and fast (very) than aggressive (moderate), and is a much better fustal player than she was a travel soccer player.

Do you want to be a soccer player, indoor soccer player or futsal player?

I’m not the PP but is playing indoors with walls vs futsal improve outdoor soccer more? I think I might answer my own questions by saying that it depends what a player needs to improve more, aggressiveness or foot skills.

They're both fine. My kid has played a lot of both. Futsal is a lot more disciplined. The wall in indoor soccer allows players to pass it to themselves and not worry nearly as much about the touch on their passes. People continue talking about footskills in futsal (and BTW, there needs to be plenty of aggressive play in futsal as well). The footskill development can occur at home. Futsal (and indoor soccer) can improve it by forcing the player (if she is able) to handle the ball in tight space. But by far the biggest benefit of playing small-sided in any context (futsal, indoor soccer or outdoor soccer) is understanding the need to transition rapidly offensively and defensively off the ball. This has nothing to do with footskills, or even aggression. It is more about anticipation and rapid movement into the right position on offense or defense. It is exactly the skill that one learns is high-level basketball, but the difference is that scoring is at a much greater premium in any form of small-sided game than in basketball, meaning that players cannot really take any transition or play off.

I disagree with this. Yes you are correct that the transition is very important in futsal. And therefore getting it right has a big impact on the result of the game. But it is NOT the biggest benefit. The bggest benefit is the increase in technical skill which the kids gain from getting many more touches on the ball and being forced to play quickly and in tight spaces.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So many futsal marketers on these boards... If you want to play futsal go ahead, but don’t pretend it’s some sort of soccer training equivalent. Different ball, different surfaces, different tactics, etc...

So clueless
First this is a futsal thread so expect those on it to have a favorable opinion about a sport in its (USA) infancy that is widely credited with developing the skill sets of some of todays most famous pro players.

Now you say different. I know what I see and I'll take the word of pros that credit their footwork and fast decision making to playing the sport in their youth. You can turn your nose up at it for what reason Ill never know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So many futsal marketers on these boards... If you want to play futsal go ahead, but don’t pretend it’s some sort of soccer training equivalent. Different ball, different surfaces, different tactics, etc...

Christian Pulisic's dad coached a pro indoor soccer team when Christian was 8. Do you think the guy wearing #10 for Chelsea grew up playing indoor soccer? No, he did not. His dad made sure Christian only played futsal when he was little. That should tell you everything you need to know about indoor soccer vs futsal

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So many futsal marketers on these boards... If you want to play futsal go ahead, but don’t pretend it’s some sort of soccer training equivalent. Different ball, different surfaces, different tactics, etc...

Christian Pulisic's dad coached a pro indoor soccer team when Christian was 8. Do you think the guy wearing #10 for Chelsea grew up playing indoor soccer? No, he did not. His dad made sure Christian only played futsal when he was little. That should tell you everything you need to know about indoor soccer vs futsal

Hence , the reason why US soccer sucks. The rest of the world plays futsal, you fool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:St James told us this at the coaches call a week ago. $5/spectator, capped at 25/court. Different color wristbands for hour, gym would be vacated by everyone for clean between games and a new set of spectators allowed in the building.

I did hear the 25 spectator max per game limit, but not the $5 fee for spectators. Does your child play for St. James?

No, not a st james team, just playing in their league. We didn't have a game this weekend though, so I didn't see firsthand how they implemented, I'm going on what the director told the coaches/team managers for the league kickoff call so we could tell our parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So many futsal marketers on these boards... If you want to play futsal go ahead, but don’t pretend it’s some sort of soccer training equivalent. Different ball, different surfaces, different tactics, etc...

Christian Pulisic's dad coached a pro indoor soccer team when Christian was 8. Do you think the guy wearing #10 for Chelsea grew up playing indoor soccer? No, he did not. His dad made sure Christian only played futsal when he was little. That should tell you everything you need to know about indoor soccer vs futsal

Do you know his father? My sibling played in college with him and on a professional indoor soccer team with him as well. I’m not sure you have all of the facts there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So many futsal marketers on these boards... If you want to play futsal go ahead, but don’t pretend it’s some sort of soccer training equivalent. Different ball, different surfaces, different tactics, etc...

Christian Pulisic's dad coached a pro indoor soccer team when Christian was 8. Do you think the guy wearing #10 for Chelsea grew up playing indoor soccer? No, he did not. His dad made sure Christian only played futsal when he was little. That should tell you everything you need to know about indoor soccer vs futsal

Do you know his father? My sibling played in college with him and on a professional indoor soccer team with him as well. I’m not sure you have all of the facts there.

Yep. His father and coaches actually encouraged him to play it and they credit it for his footskills today in the Premier League.

https://www.soccerwire.com/resources/how-futsal-helped-christian-pulisic-excel-in-the-premier-league/