Courtesy: Soccer Nation


619 Futsal 2012 Spring Season Arrives

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Following on the success of the inaugural winter season, 619 Futsal is preparing for the Spring season beginning on March 11. The league will run through May 20, giving youth players the opportunity to hone their skills during a time that is frequently a lull between outdoor seasons.

To help provide the opportunity for more teams to participate, 619 Futsal offered a special Early Bird discount through midnight, January 31. Registration is open until February 23.

Futsal, which was born in Uruguay and grew up in Brazil, has been credited with helping to develop such soccer legends as Pelé, Ronaldo, Romario and Ronaldinho and current stars Marta and Lionel Messi. The speed, closeness of action and small field all combine to force players to literally think on their feet. The game has been shown to produce what author Daniel Coyle calls “deep practice” in his book The Talent Code.


619 Futsal Registration Information:

- 2012 Spring Season runs March 11 through May 20
- Registration deadline February 23, 2012
- U8-U14 = $550 per team – Games will be officiated by 1 referee
- U15-U18 High school Division = $550 per team – Games will be officiated by 1 referee
- Women’s Open = $550 per team – Games will be officiated by 1 referee
- U19-Men’s Open-Men’s over 30 = $595.00 – Games will be officiated by 2 referees
- Register by January 31, 2012, for Early Bird Special of $25 off
- Returning Teams receive $25 off their team fees
- Discounts may be combined!

Former U.S. National Futsal Team member Sean Bowers founded 619 Futsal as a way to help more San Diego area players experience the fun and learning possibilities of the game. “We really did this for developmental purposes,” Bowers told SoccerNationNews at the opening of the winter season. “I’ve read a number of articles that say United States youth soccer players are behind technically.”

For anyone not familiar with the sport, futsal can seem unusual, at best. The games are 5v5 (four field players and a goalie) and are played on hardwood floor courts. The 48-minute matches (two 24-minutes halves) produce constant action as players jockey for position on the reduced-sized field. With no rebound boards as in indoor soccer, players are forced to focus more on possession and control. It is this constant focus on control that increases technical skill in players.

According to Bowers, the spring season is a perfect time for high school soccer players to participate, as the regular season has ended and players need to keep in shape and hone their technical skills. “As a nation we need to get better at the technical side of soccer,” Bowers explained, “and I think this is one way we can do it. I wish I had (futsal) when I was a kid.”

The first season for 619 Futsal was an unqualified success, with 58 teams signing up to play from U-8 to adult. Bowers expects the spring season to be just as popular and recommends that teams sign up early to ensure a spot. The league plays every Sunday at the Miramar Community College Fieldhouse Gym.

Bowers is especially proud of the response from players and families. “Everyone who leaves here has a smile on their face,” he said. “All the parents say, ‘The kids are going to get better and they’re going to learn this game.’ That’s what we’re doing.”

Bowers also pointed out that most of the countries that have been successful in world soccer have futsal programs, in contrast to the United States.

Bowers goal is to help improve the level of play among youth players, with the effect continuing on to the international and professional levels.

Teams can sign up at the 619 Futsal website for the 2012 Spring Season. Youth and women’s teams can register for $550 per team and men’s teams for $595 per team. All teams that register before the early bird deadline will receive a $25 discount and returning teams receive an additional $25 off.

For individual players, 619 Futsal has an “Interest List” to sign up on for possible addition to an established team.

Games will be played on Sundays at the Miramar Fieldhouse Gym located next to the Ned Baumer Aquatic Center on the Miramar College campus (10440 Black Mountain Road, San Diego, CA, 92126). For more information, visit the 619 Futsal website.




Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com