The priority in Indoor Soccer 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. Indoor Soccer is the foundation to such goals because it:
- Allows players to frequently touch the one "toy" on the field, namely, the ball.
Presents many opportunities to score goals and score goals often.
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.
Provides a well organized playing environment with improvised fields.
Reflects the philosophy of player development expressed in state and national coaching schools.
Eliminates complicated rules such as off-sides that may hinder youngsters from "playing".
Reflects the appropriate roll of the coach as a Facilitator.
Makes the game more "beginning coach" friendly because the game is simpler, thus making it easier to recruit more volunteer "coaches".
Allows the game to be the teacher!
The primary objective for youth players under 11 years of age is the development of technical skill. This is due, in part, to the nature of youngsters and their willingness to experiment to find their own way to execute technical skill.
What Is Developed
Skill that is realistic. Motor ability: balance, agility, and coordination. Perception: insight and awareness. Vision. Problem solving: choices and decisions. Physical fitness. Psychological domain: fun, enjoyment, and competition. Learning by discovery, trial and error, playing!!!
Repetition
This is perhaps the single most important aspect over the long term process of developing soccer playing ability. On the playgrounds and sandlots, this occurs naturally. No lines, no waiting, participation is maximized.
Youngsters recognize differing situations that are constantly repeated. Repetition influences: Skill required to play the game (dribbling, passing, shooting, etc.). Decisions and choices that occur during the game.
Field
Indoor Soccer is played on a basketball-size court between two teams of five players, one of whom is the goalkeeper. The field is delimited by lines, and not nets or boards that players can use to redirect the ball. Without the walls, futsal is a great skill-developer, demanding quick reflexes, fast thinking, and pin-point passing. It is an exciting game for children as well as adults.
Ball
The ball is a size #3 ball, which is slightly heavier than the #5. The special low bounce ball, requires players to use their skills, rather than the ball's bounce, to propel it.