My email to Coach Snow:
Coach Snow,
I hate to bother you, as i am sure you are a very busy person. I have a brief favor to ask.
In our community we are having friendly debates/discussions on the pro's and con's of playing indoor soccer and more specifically using the walls or not. This has been a topic for discussion in many of the areas I have been in my coaching career. I was hoping you could help me out with this topic by locating a previously written article(s) about the topic or have one of the "higher ups" use this topic in one of their blogs. Having US youth make a statement or share their opinions is very beneficial. Any information or thoughts that you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Jeff Ginn
Infinity Soccer
Coach Snow's Reply:
Hi Jeff,
This seems like a healthy debate for a club to have. There may be articles written specifically on the topic but I do not have anything along this line on hand. However the general consensus of the state Technical Directors is that for development purposes the Futsal version is preferred over the indoor soccer version played inside a hockey rink using the walls. Yet if no other soccer playing option is available in some climates during inclement weather then indoor soccer using the walls is better than not being able to play at all, perhaps for several months in some locales. Below is a the section on indoor soccer from the Player Development Model being written by US Youth Soccer. The full document will be made public at the 2009 US Youth Soccer adidas Workshop & Coaches Convention in San Jose next March. The portion reprinted below is from the first draft, so revisions may or may not be made.
Indoor Soccer – Futsal – Beach Soccer
One of the beauties of soccer is that the game can be played anywhere the ball can roll. Indeed playing in a variety of conditions helps to develop more well-rounded players. So a mix of outdoor and indoor soccer along with some variety in the type of playing surface, size of the field and type of ball used will have a positive impact on ball skills and clever play.
Soccer on the beach is not only great fun but certainly impacts the players’ skills and physical fitness. Players are more likely here to experiment with more acrobatic skills too.
At times the weather conditions dictate that soccer go indoors for some time. Coaches must take this fact into consideration in the curriculum for player development for the club. You could play indoor soccer inside a hockey rink type playing area using the boards or Futsal. Some indoor facilities are large enough that fields are set up and may allow even up to 11-a-side matches. All of these options keep players active in the game. The same basic skills, tactics and knowledge of the game as the 11 vs. 11 outdoor game occur indoors. Yet Futsal may offer the best compliment to player development. One of the benefits of this version of soccer is that it can be played indoors or outside, on a dedicated Futsal court or tennis court or basketball court, so the options of where to play are better. Young players exposed to playing Futsal show a greater comfort on the ball along with more intelligent movement off the ball.
The priority in Futsal is to motivate players in an environment that is conducive to learning. The more pleasure kids derive from their participation, the more they wish to play and practice on their own. While their instinct to play is natural, their affection and appreciation for soccer must be cultivated in a soccer rich environment. Futsal is the foundation to such goals because it: [i]* Allows players to frequently touch the one "toy" on the field, namely, the ball. In a statistical study comparing Futsal to indoor arena soccer with walls, players touch the ball 210% more often.
* Presents many opportunities to score goals and score goals often. With limited space, an out of bounds and constant opponent pressure, improved ball skills are required.
* Encourages regaining possession of the ball as a productive, fun and rewarding part of the game {defending}.
* Maximizes active participation and minimizes inactivity and boredom. Action is continuous so players are forced to keep on playing instead of stopping and watching.
* Provides a well organized playing environment with improvised fields. Without a wall as a crutch, players must make supporting runs when their teammates have the ball.
* Reflects the appropriate role of the coach as a Facilitator. With all the basic options of the outdoor game in non-stop action mode, players' understanding of the game is enhanced.
* Players enjoy the challenge of playing a fast-paced-fun-skill-oriented game that tests their abilities. Allows the game to be the teacher!The
Sam Snow
Director of Coaching
US Youth Soccer
Futsal Video:
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