Futsal?

[Unregistered]

First to answer the op....
If you have "clearly seen the benefits in the past" when your child played futsal, then you should choose to do what is best for your child.
If for any reason you observe a negative impact on your child's playing time or status on their outdoor team after playing futsal, you should seriously consider whether that is where your child's future should be.

I have heard players from Seacoast being criticized for the "bad habits" that they have picked up playing futsal (e.g., receiving the ball with the sole of the foot and toe-poking). As mentioned by a couple people, you can find videos on the internet of the top players in the world using these techniques. Even the tactical aspects of futsal can be applied to the outdoor game if you have a coach understanding and teaching that style of play (i.e, tiki-taka).

Don't be fooled simply by "touches". Aim for quality touches and perfect practice performed at speed. Be wary of coaches (even with great credentials) who do not correct poor quality practice and do not demand speed and perfection. Read "The Talent Code" by Daniel Coyle to learn more about developing talent and the role of futsal in Brazil.

It is interesting to bring Barcelona into the discussion. There are very few places in America where children can actually learn skills at ages 5 or 6 similar to how they are being systematically taught in places such as Spain or the Netherlands. (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/06/ma...anted=all&_r=0)

[Disclosure for those curious: my child has played with both Seacoast and FutsalNH but I have no affiliation with either.]

[Unregistered]

First to answer the op....
If you have "clearly seen the benefits in the past" when your child played futsal, then you should choose to do what is best for your child.
If for any reason you observe a negative impact on your child's playing time or status on their outdoor team after playing futsal, you should seriously consider whether that is where your child's future should be.

I have heard players from Seacoast being criticized for the "bad habits" that they have picked up playing futsal (e.g., receiving the ball with the sole of the foot and toe-poking). As mentioned by a couple people, you can find videos on the internet of the top players in the world using these techniques. Even the tactical aspects of futsal can be applied to the outdoor game if you have a coach understanding and teaching that style of play (i.e, tiki-taka).

Don't be fooled simply by "touches". Aim for quality touches and perfect practice performed at speed. Be wary of coaches (even with great credentials) who do not correct poor quality practice and do not demand speed and perfection. Read "The Talent Code" by Daniel Coyle to learn more about developing talent and the role of futsal in Brazil.

It is interesting to bring Barcelona into the discussion. There are very few places in America where children can actually learn skills at ages 5 or 6 similar to how they are being systematically taught in places such as Spain or the Netherlands. (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/06/ma...anted=all&_r=0)

[Disclosure for those curious: my child has played with both Seacoast and FutsalNH but I have no affiliation with either.]

Well thought out quote. Thank you.

What everyone needs to remember is that all of this is business driven. None of these players live in Spain or the Netherlands. None of these players will be on the National Team. A great number of them will not play in college or school.

None of these organizations care if they play at the next level. They just want your money. They may be good people and care about your child, but they still just want your money and this post is giving them ALL free publicity!!!!!

Oh and by the way...there are plenty of players (especially in this country) that never played futsal and are on the National team. So maybe we should just let the kids have fun and save our money!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Unregistered]

I am with you. The club soccer is totally a joke in America. Just look at how many different leagues in MA. NEP,NPL,MAPLE,what the fxxx..Parents are paying the big $ to those clubs so they can create a new league every year to make more money. And who gives a damn about your kids as long as you write the check. The system is just totally ****ed up.

The kids should play street soccer and just have fun. Parents should say no to all these club soccer crap at some point.

Well thought out quote. Thank you.

What everyone needs to remember is that all of this is business driven. None of these players live in Spain or the Netherlands. None of these players will be on the National Team. A great number of them will not play in college or school.

None of these organizations care if they play at the next level. They just want your money. They may be good people and care about your child, but they still just want your money and this post is giving them ALL free publicity!!!!!

Oh and by the way...there are plenty of players (especially in this country) that never played futsal and are on the National team. So maybe we should just let the kids have fun and save our money!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Unregistered]

Parents should say no to all these club soccer crap at some point.

Exactly, we perpetuate the very thing we rail against.

We are Americans. We must spend the money to give our kids the best. When given a choice, we could choose the flashier more expensive option rather than not keep up with the Joneses.

[Pitchrat]

Exactly, we perpetuate the very thing we rail against.

We are Americans. We must spend the money to give our kids the best. When given a choice, we could choose the flashier more expensive option rather than not keep up with the Joneses.

We've been involved in club soccer for ten years. We still are. It's been a great experience for our kids and for us as a family. It has been a struggle at times financially with more than one playing, but we considered it well worth the money. The kids enjoyed it. If they didn't we wouldn't have participated. It has taught them many lessons, discipline, time management, healthy lifestyles and team values. They've experienced the esprit de corps of wearing a uniform and a warm up for their club locally and at different tournaments around the eastern part of the country and shared the joy of winning a game, a tournament or a playoff with their teammates. They have many memories to enjoy, even some to brag about and have made many friends throughout the soccer community, as we have. On top of all that they've recieved some decent training which has given them the opportunity to play in college if they so choose.
But for us it was never about the destination, it's always been the journey. For me, I can't think of a better weekend than watching my kids play a competetive sport and for us that has been club soccer.
Soccer clubs are a business and they do things to make money, but I've never felt as though they were taking advantage of us. I felt like we were taking advantage of them and what they had to offer for the benefit of our kids. Many people like to complain about soccer clubs just wanting your money, yet why are they so interested in development of their players. Could the motive be that D1 scholarship$
Club soccer may not be for every kid, and it is not perfect, but for many, as for us, it is a terrific way for a soccer player to learn many life lessons and a great family experience. Enjoy the journey.

[Pitchrat]

Oh Yeah.....Futsal.
Over the years many players from one of my kids teams played futsal in the winter. The club didn't seem to care one way or the other about it. I'm sure the speed and skill concentration is good for soccer players. We didn't participate because of the travel time on top of the indoor season.
I've always thought that Indoor soccer, with the small field and more basketball like physical workout was also very good. Do both if it works.

[Unregistered]

I am with you. The club soccer is totally a joke in America. Just look at how many different leagues in MA. NEP,NPL,MAPLE,what the fxxx..Parents are paying the big $ to those clubs so they can create a new league every year to make more money. And who gives a damn about your kids as long as you write the check. The system is just totally ****ed up.

The kids should play street soccer and just have fun. Parents should say no to all these club soccer crap at some point.

This rings true for every other travel sport. Exceedingly difficult to find clubs in any sport that have kids best interest at heart.

[Unregistered]

We like it and there are clear benefits and no organization is going to tell me what my kid can and cannot do especially when they are contradicting themselves in the same email. Seacoast is full of egomaniacs as is every other major club around. They all have the same problem of keeping their for profit business going while "developing" the kids. These 2 things rarely are in sync unfortunately.