Courtesy: Morning Sun


Soccer variation catches on at YMCA

KEVIN FLAHERTY - THE MORNING SUN

Soccer kids looking to avoid the heat while working on footwork, dribbling skills and quick passing have found their niche in a YMCA program new to Pittsburg.

The craze is futsal, a game invented in Montevideo, Uruguay in 1930. Played in a gymnasium on a basketball court, the game moves quickly and sees high scoring totals.

"We were hoping we could get a lot of kids to come in and play and develop their foot skills during the winter," said Sean Lauderdale, coach/volunteer. "It would be sweet if kids would come and play futsal after basketball season wraps up."

Lauderdale approached Sara Mitchell, YMCA program director, about the possibility of a futsal league, and said Mitchell supported the idea. They handed out fliers to all of the YMCA's soccer league and attracted 17 players aged eight to 12, which are split over three teams. Each team should consist of five players - four field players and one goalie.

"I've played soccer probably since I was three," said Hannah Landrith, 13, who signed up at age 12. "I like that it's almost exactly like soccer, but it's in air conditioning."

Other changes include the size of the ball, which is heavier than a soccer ball, but smaller in diameter, which slides the ball across the court at a quicker rate and forces players to adopt better touch with the ball.

"It gives you better ball control," said Sullivan Lauderdale. "It is faster. You need to have better foot control."

Other subtle differences include the kick-in when the ball goes out of bounds rather than a throw-in, and the fact that the goalie cannot punt the ball, and instead must throw it to a teammate. Either action must occur within four seconds of the player getting the ball, or the other team gets the ball.

"What we really like is that it can help to teach kids fast passing and individual footwork," said Sean Lauderdale. "If you go to a soccer field with kids usually, they just kind of kick the ball around."

Sean said he had goals for the program's expansion, including another season in January-March. He cited the success of another futsal program at Four Seasons in Joplin as an indicator that the program could take off in Pittsburg.

"This is a pretty big area for kids that are soccer players and excited to play soccer.," Sean said. "I think it will be pretty active if we can do a good job of getting the word out."

It isn't the first time this game has been played in a YMCA - the man who invented futbal Sala, which became futsal, developed the sport to be played at YMCAs.

Juan Carlos Ceriani created the game the same year his country, Uruguay, hosted the first World Cup. At the same time, a similar game was developed down in Brazil. The sport quickly grew through South America, and the first futsal world championship was played in 1982.

The game's popularity has been helped by the caliber of players who grew up honing their skills on the futsal court. Ronaldo, the World Cup's career scoring leader and Ronaldinho, considered one of the top players in the world, both were futsal standouts. Ronaldinho in particular helped to make the game popular - he won some form of World Player of the year in 2004, 2005 and 2006, and some of his old futsal highlights are a popular hit on YouTube.

The league is still looking for interested players. For more information, call the Pittsburg Family YMCA at 231-1000.

"I probably like it the same as soccer," Sullivan said. "They're basically the same thing, just a little different."



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