Courtesy: The Tennessean



New youth indoor "futsal" league being formed in Dickson

by Andy Simmons

October 17, 2016

A new kind of soccer league will be available to young players in the Dickson County area starting in November.

Technically, however, it's not even soccer. It's futsal.

Futsal, the only indoor soccer approved by FIFA, is a small-sided game played in indoor courts with a smaller ball than traditional soccer games. There are also no walls that players use to bounce the ball off of, unlike other indoor soccer leagues.

The league is being spearheaded by a couple of Dickson County locals, including Dickson County boys soccer coach Chris Cardona and former Dickson County Soccer Association Board Member Charlie Mullens.

"If you want to play soccer year around and you live in Dickson, you have to travel to Nashville, Franklin, or Murfreesboro. Training for Futsal in Dickson reduces travel and expenses but it also levels the playing field for our kids in our county middle school and high school programs. Futsal would provide our players with more touches on the ball, passing and experience in real game situations," said Cardona in an email.

The goal of the futsal league is to get young players more acquainted with having the ball at their feet in such little space and being able to develop skills with the ball.

"Being able to touch the ball under pressure for more than just the four months most of our players get now is key," said former Creek Wood coach Paul Flowers in an email, who is also a co-founder of Burns soccer.

According to an email sent by Middle Tennessee Futsal Operations Director Art Hughes, "The group, Middle Tennessee Futsal, has also paired, partnered or associated with United States Youth Futsal (USYF), United States Futsal Federation (USFF), United States Soccer Federation (USSSF), and United States Specialty Sports Association (USSA). Soccer camps from the newly announced pro team, Nashville SC."

There will be two eight-week sessions planned for this winter, starting Nov.19th and concluding Jan. 14th. The second session will start Feb. 4th and end March 25th. All games and practice are currently set to play in the gym of the Westgate Church at 3225 Highway 70 West in Dickson.

More information on the sessions, and a brief history of futsal along with rules can be found here. You can also call Middle Tennessee Futsal at 615-422-KICK (5425)


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