It's Time for USYSA to Do the Right Thing

By Scott Placek
President
Futsal Association of South Texas

	 For years we have heard USYSA pay lip service to the idea that small
sided games are best for the development of our youth players.  Nobody
with any training or experience in the coaching of young players would
disagree with that statement.  People may argue over the right ages,
the right numbers, or the right rules, but few people would disagree
that more playing time, more touches and more small sided situations
experienced at a young way produces better, more creative and more
confident young players when they step onto the outdoor pitch.

	 The USYSA issued a position paper recently answering many of the
questions raised by people resistant to small sided games.  The
rationale put forth by USYSA is instructive:

Why make the change?

It makes the game of soccer a better experience for children. More
touches on the ball, more opportunities to make decisions, more actual
play. Energetic workouts due to playing both attacking and defensive
roles. While learning both offense and defense, a player will become
more complete and will understand more readily the roles and
importance of teammates.

(Source: www.usyouthsoccer.org/downloads/
national_office/SmallSidedGames.pdf)

In his small sided presentation, Tom Goodman, USYSA National Director
of Coaching Education, answers the question "Why Small Sided?"

His answers:

1) Because we want our young soccer players to make more, less
complicated decisions during the game!  More opportunities to
scheme... As we play we must constantly change and adapt to our
surroundings. This challenge is the basis for tactics. How do we solve
the puzzle?

2 )More opportunity to solve problems that only the game can present.

3) Players cannot hide or get lost in the small-sided environment.  It
helps improve competitiveness & aggressiveness.

He also answers "What can we teach?"

Team Shape.  In larger numbers bad "shape" is hidden. The Principles
of the game are much easier to see for coaches and players.

(Source: www.usyouthsoccer.org/docs/ ssg%20powerpoint%20(goodman).ppt)

Again, Goodman's reasoning is sound, appropriate and a fine guide for
the development of young players.  However,  USYSA's commitment to
these laudable goals is undercut by its continued support and
endorsement of America's unique perversion of the world's game - -
arena style indoor soccer with walls.  USYSA continues to sanction,
register and insure this "sport" for its young players.  Despite the
fact that elements of indoor game contradict USYSA's stated rationale
for small sided games, USYSA continues to take the money offered by
indoor centers for player registrations.

Let's examine some of the points USYSA and Goodman make.

• More opportunities to make decisions.  This is clearly a fine point.
  However, what is the quality of the decision?  Outdoor fields don't
have walls.  When you play with walls, your decisions are totally
different.  You can "tie up" and defend an opponent with the wall
alone.  Other players don't have to worry about providing cover.
That's the second principle of defense: Pressure, Cover, Balance.  In
the indoor walled game, we immediately lose the second principle in
many defending situations.  Is that the kind of decision making we
want to encourage.  What about attacking principles?  Penetration,
support, mobility and width.  How often do see indoor players pass to
themselves off walls, or whack a ball off an end wall to an oncoming
player.  Doesn't work in the outdoor game, and the decision that leads
to that approach is not one to be encouraged.
• While learning both offense and defense, a player will become more
complete and will understand more readily the roles and importance of
teammates.  Again a proper goal.  But the indoor walled game
diminishes the roles of teammates and because of the walls, negates
the ability to understand cover on defense, diminishes the importance
of good supporting positions in attack, and because of the end walls,
takes away many of the tactical approaches needed to advance the ball
upfield in the outdoor game.
• More opportunity to solve problems only the game can present.
Again, when is the last time the outdoor game gave you a wall to use
in defending an opponent.  When was the last time the outdoor game
presented a ball rebounding from a wall by the goal?  When is the last
time the outdoor game let you hit a wild crossfield pass knowing that
the ball would bounce back and stay in play?
• Players cannot hide or get lost in the small-sided environment.
Unless it is indoor walled soccer.  Then the player doesn't need to
cover or support his teammates.  The player doesn't need to link into
attack going forward, they can wait for the ball to bounce back to them.

The inconsistency between small sided objectives and indoor soccer is
manifest.  Sure a few of the benefits carry over.  The attacking 1v1
and the increased touches are both present, but at what cost?  The
benefits are quickly outweighed by the inculcation of poor tactical
decisions.  Goodman and USYSA are both insistent that small sided
games are necessary to teach players decision making skills that will
benefit them throughout their outdoor soccer careers.  Yet USYSA
continues to sanction and profit from indoor soccer registrations.

It is worthy to mention that the vast majority of indoor soccer
centers and registrations are for profit ventures.  The profit motive
certainly detracts from any objective evaluation of the benefits and
risks to youth players by those indoor operators.  Apparently USYSA is
also unwilling to undertake that calculus.  The benefits are clearly
limited, come with unavoidable tactical detriments, and unfortunately
come with significant injury risks.  Tim Burns, a London economist and
youth soccer development officer, refers to "the phenomenal rate of
injuries experienced in the dasher board game."  During the 1990's
Benemarc, an insurance broker, administered both the Futsal insurance
program and the programs for many USYSA members, including North Texas
and South Texas.  In one meeting, their representative told me that
although indoor registrations account for only 10% of USYSA
registrations in their programs, it accounted for 90% of the claims.
In contrast, Futsal's loss experience and claims rate was the same as
outdoor soccer.

It is time for USYSA to do the right thing.  USYSA had no hesitance in
imposing a top down decision to adopt small sided games, including 8v8
for younger select players.  The reason:  it's best for the player.
Why then, does USYSA hesitate to end its support of walled indoor
soccer?

	 FIFA, the international governing body that USYSA purportedly
operates under faced a distinct decision in the mid-80s.  The adoption
of an indoor soccer game was the issue and the choices were simple.
Americans pushed for the adoption of the dasherboard game.  South
Americans pushed for futsal, a game that had been around for over 50
years and was credited with the development of many of soccer's
greatest legends.  Given the history and benefits of futsal, FIFA had
an easy time making its choice.  Why is it so hard for USYSA?

	 USYSA need only look to some of its own leaders for advice.  Graham
Ramsay, Director of Coaching for the Maryland State Youth Soccer
Association penned a fine article by the name of "Soccer Walls Do Not
a Player Make."  In this article, Ramsay saw the connection between
small sided games and futsal – and the dangers of the walled game
supported by USYSA.  Why is it so hard for USYSA to do the right thing?

	 Locally, there is no need for clubs or state associations to wait for
USYSA to start looking out for the players.  Clubs are starting to
introduce futsal ahead of USYSA.  In Dallas, the Comets, Dallas Inter
and Longhorns youth soccer clubs have introduced futsal competition.
(Source: http://www.cometssoccer.com/Skills-Futsal.htm ,
http://www.longhorns.org/content/?CatId=108 ,
http://www.dallasinter.org/academy.htm)
North Texas State Soccer Association sanctions two futsal leagues (and
unfortunately 12 walled indoor playing facilities (www.ntxsoccer.org).
    In South Texas, El Paso has youth and adult futsal.  Austin is
preparing to re-introduce its futsal league, which once numbered 1300
players.  In Austin, much of the organization is being provided by
outdoor clubs.

The player development benefits of futsal are uncontroverted.  Its
similarity to the outdoor game is transparent.  The risks and downside
of the walled game are well chronicled.  USYSA should not wait a
moment longer to implement its "top down" philosophy of doing what is
best for player development.

USYSA should bar all state associations from registering players for
walled indoor soccer.  It should act to give life and meaning to a
decade old agreement between USYSA and US Futsal to unite the bodies
at the state level.  This step alone would go a long way towards
satisfying critics of US Futsal's national officers.  The structure
and support available through the USYSA state associations would
minimize the responsiveness issue immediately.   If USYSA won't do it,
the clubs and state associations should give "bottom up" management a
try.  Reject walled indoor registrations.  Join the rest of the world
in recognizing futsal as THE indoor soccer game.  If it really is all
about what is best for the kids, then it's time to do the right thing.
  If USYSA won't do it, its state associations and clubs should take
the lead.

About the Author:  Scott Placek is the president of the Futsal
Association of South Texas (www.stxfutsal.org) and serves on two
committees for the US Futsal Federation.  A former NCAA college head
coach, Scott holds national coaching licenses from US Soccer and the
NSCAA.  He is a former ODP State Team Head Coach and has been a member
of the Arkansas State Soccer Association Coaching Education Staff.  A
former Director of Coaching for a select soccer club in Austin, Texas,
Scott founded Austin Futsal and oversaw its growth to 1300 players in
a three year period.

©2004 Scott Placek.  This article may be freely reproduced with the
copyright notice.  Please notify the author of its use via e-mail at
scott@....

Paul,

I suppose neither you nor I know what Kansas was told.  I know there
was a nametag for them at the table.  I am unwilling to believe that
the issues between Kansas and USFF are driven solely by USFF with no
contribution or exacerbation by Kansas.  It simply does not square
with my experience or the experience of many other state presidents.
I know I posted here the date of the AGM, and you responded with the
rumor of cancellation, several weeks ago.  I would imagine that if
Kansas officers thought they were being excluded, they could have
contacted any of several state presidents to find out what story they
were getting.  I was certainly never given any order to keep it a
secret. I think if you had been there you would not make the statement
that they did not want any dissenting voices.  There was quire a bit
of dissent and lively discussion which I hope will lead to progress on
a number of issues that were raised.

As I would expect in any organization, the items you mentioned were
discussed at the meeting.  However, budgets are not prepared at AGM's.
They are prepared in advance and debated/approved at the AGM.  The
budgets appeared very reasonable to me.  There was no fee increase
proposed or approved that I am aware of.

There was significant discussion on tournaments and championships.
The National Championship was approved for Anaheim in 2006 and will
thereafter go up for bid amongst the state associations beginning with
the 2007 tournament.  The bids will be determined 2 years out, i.e.
2005 AGM will award the 2007 tournament and so forth from that point
forward.

Not sure what you are referring on the membership category, so i can't
comment.

I do think the addition of new blood is good for the board and the
federation.  Both new members strike me as independent minded and very
motivated.  As I said, these are just my impressions.  I have yet to
hear Kansas's complaints directly so I simply can't express an opinion
or say whether any of those issues came up.

Scott Placek

--- In futsalonline_newsgroup@yahoogroups.com, Paul Baker
<psb7508@y...> wrote:
> I am glad to hear that others are now able to become involved.  I
hope that governance issues allow others than Alex to have a say in
USFF decision making.  Did all those in attendance get to have input in:
> 
> 1)  Budget Preparation
> 2)  Fee's charged the State Associations
> 3)  Competition/ Tournaments
> 4)  Membership
> 
> 
> The appearance of better communication is one thing.  The sharing of
power is another.
> 
> It is my understanding that  our representatives from Kansas were
told that the AGM was cancelled.  I guess they were not invited.  The
USFF didn't want any dissenting voices to show up.
>
>

Paul,

I suppose neither you nor I know what Kansas was told.  I know there
was a nametag for them at the table.  I am unwilling to believe that
the issues between Kansas and USFF are driven solely by USFF with no
contribution or exacerbation by Kansas.  It simply does not square
with my experience or the experience of many other state presidents.
I know I posted here the date of the AGM, and you responded with the
rumor of cancellation, several weeks ago.  I would imagine that if
Kansas officers thought they were being excluded, they could have
contacted any of several state presidents to find out what story they
were getting.  I was certainly never given any order to keep it a
secret. I think if you had been there you would not make the statement
that they did not want any dissenting voices.  There was quire a bit
of dissent and lively discussion which I hope will lead to progress on
a number of issues that were raised.

As I would expect in any organization, the items you mentioned were
discussed at the meeting.  However, budgets are not prepared at AGM's.
  They are prepared in advance and debated/approved at the AGM.  The
budgets appeared very reasonable to me.  There was no fee increase
proposed or approved that I am aware of.

There was significant discussion on tournaments and championships.
The National Championship was approved for Anaheim in 2006 and will
thereafter go up for bid amongst the state associations beginning with
the 2007 tournament.  The bids will be determined 2 years out, i.e.
2005 AGM will award the 2007 tournament and so forth from that point
forward.

Not sure what you are referring on the membership category, so i can't
comment.

I do think the addition of new blood is good for the board and the
federation.  Both new members strike me as independent minded and very
motivated.  As I said, these are just my impressions.  I have yet to
hear Kansas's complaints directly so I simply can't express an opinion
or say whether any of those issues came up.

Scott Placek

--- In futsalonline_newsgroup@yahoogroups.com, Paul Baker
<psb7508@y...> wrote:
> I am glad to hear that others are now able to become involved.  I
hope that governance issues allow others than Alex to have a say in
USFF decision making.  Did all those in attendance get to have input in:
>
> 1)  Budget Preparation
> 2)  Fee's charged the State Associations
> 3)  Competition/ Tournaments
> 4)  Membership
>
>
> The appearance of better communication is one thing.  The sharing of
power is another.
>
> It is my understanding that  our representatives from Kansas were
told that the AGM was cancelled.  I guess they were not invited.  The
  USFF didn't want any dissenting voices to show up.
>
>

This is my personal account and not a report from the USFF

The AGM was held August 15, as I had been told it would be.  I was in
attendance along with 14 or so other state presidents and the rest of
the national board.

A budget was presented and past year budgets made available. 

Two open positions on the board were filled with non-California
people, one from Illinois and one from Rhode Island.  A new treasurer
was also elected/appointed to replace the resigned treasurer.  He
announced that he would employ an accountant to prepare the financial
statements and would move to an automated bookkeeping system.

Notably, the president of California-North hosted a round table
discussion following dinner on Saturday night which was attended by
Alex and by the other state presidents and some national board
members.  The primary concerns focused on communications,
responsiveness and program development.  One of the state presidents
will be undertaking to publish a regular newsletter for email
distribution to all states.  A policy and procedure manual will also
be produced.

There was a brief discussion of the trademark issues.  I expect no
change in the USFF's position regarding that.  It was interesting to
hear the other side of some of the trademark disputes that have been
widely discussed.

Notably, nobody from Kansas chose to attend the meeting.  That
surprised me quite a bit considering the level of dissatisfaction they
have voiced.

I was impressed with the willingness of the state presidents in
attendance to "pitch in" and undertake projects for the Federation.
This has been needed for some time.  I am very impressed with the
plans of the Rhode Island president to develop formal coaching
education materials, and the Missouri president undertaking the
newsletter.  I did not perceive that Alex felt threatened at all by
the topics raised or the critiques offered.  He seemed very willing to
work on the issues discussed to further the aims of the USFF. 

I left this meeting very hopeful.  We will see what comes of the next
year and where we are next year.

Also, the next AGM will be held in the first quarter of 2005.  This
was approved as a bylaw change.

Thanks for the update. Do you have any idea what the
working relationship is between U.S. Futsal and the
U.S. Futsal Team that just won CONCACAF tourney? Do
you have any idea who is funding the U.S. Team?

--- rspcoswal <scott@...> wrote:

> This is my personal account and not a report from
> the USFF
>
> The AGM was held August 15, as I had been told it
> would be.  I was in
> attendance along with 14 or so other state
> presidents and the rest of
> the national board.
>
> A budget was presented and past year budgets made
> available.
>
> Two open positions on the board were filled with
> non-California
> people, one from Illinois and one from Rhode Island.
>  A new treasurer
> was also elected/appointed to replace the resigned
> treasurer.  He
> announced that he would employ an accountant to
> prepare the financial
> statements and would move to an automated
> bookkeeping system.
>
> Notably, the president of California-North hosted a
> round table
> discussion following dinner on Saturday night which
> was attended by
> Alex and by the other state presidents and some
> national board
> members.  The primary concerns focused on
> communications,
> responsiveness and program development.  One of the
> state presidents
> will be undertaking to publish a regular newsletter
> for email
> distribution to all states.  A policy and procedure
> manual will also
> be produced.
>
> There was a brief discussion of the trademark
> issues.  I expect no
> change in the USFF's position regarding that.  It
> was interesting to
> hear the other side of some of the trademark
> disputes that have been
> widely discussed.
>
> Notably, nobody from Kansas chose to attend the
> meeting.  That
> surprised me quite a bit considering the level of
> dissatisfaction they
> have voiced.
>
> I was impressed with the willingness of the state
> presidents in
> attendance to "pitch in" and undertake projects for
> the Federation.
> This has been needed for some time.  I am very
> impressed with the
> plans of the Rhode Island president to develop
> formal coaching
> education materials, and the Missouri president
> undertaking the
> newsletter.  I did not perceive that Alex felt
> threatened at all by
> the topics raised or the critiques offered.  He
> seemed very willing to
> work on the issues discussed to further the aims of
> the USFF.
>
> I left this meeting very hopeful.  We will see what
> comes of the next
> year and where we are next year.
>
> Also, the next AGM will be held in the first quarter
> of 2005.  This
> was approved as a bylaw change.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>




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This is my personal account and not a report from the USFF

The AGM was held August 15, as I had been told it would be.  I was in
attendance along with 14 or so other state presidents and the rest of
the national board.

A budget was presented and past year budgets made available.

Two open positions on the board were filled with non-California
people, one from Illinois and one from Rhode Island.  A new treasurer
was also elected/appointed to replace the resigned treasurer.  He
announced that he would employ an accountant to prepare the financial
statements and would move to an automated bookkeeping system.

Notably, the president of California-North hosted a round table
discussion following dinner on Saturday night which was attended by
Alex and by the other state presidents and some national board
members.  The primary concerns focused on communications,
responsiveness and program development.  One of the state presidents
will be undertaking to publish a regular newsletter for email
distribution to all states.  A policy and procedure manual will also
be produced.

There was a brief discussion of the trademark issues.  I expect no
change in the USFF's position regarding that.  It was interesting to
hear the other side of some of the trademark disputes that have been
widely discussed.

Notably, nobody from Kansas chose to attend the meeting.  That
surprised me quite a bit considering the level of dissatisfaction they
have voiced.

I was impressed with the willingness of the state presidents in
attendance to "pitch in" and undertake projects for the Federation.
This has been needed for some time.  I am very impressed with the
plans of the Rhode Island president to develop formal coaching
education materials, and the Missouri president undertaking the
newsletter.  I did not perceive that Alex felt threatened at all by
the topics raised or the critiques offered.  He seemed very willing to
work on the issues discussed to further the aims of the USFF.

I left this meeting very hopeful.  We will see what comes of the next
year and where we are next year.

Also, the next AGM will be held in the first quarter of 2005.  This
was approved as a bylaw change.

With a 2-0 win over Cuba in the final on Saturday, the
United States claimed the 2004 CONCACAF futsal
championship for the first time since 1996.  Both
finalists will join up with the rest of the world's
best five-a-side squads in Chinese Taipei this
November as proud representatives of New World futsal.


The U.S. scored both goals on set pieces and set a new
record for consecutive shutouts in the tourney.

See
http://www.fifa.com/en/comp/index/0,2442,102340,00.html?comp=Futsal&year=2004&ar\
ticleid=102340




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A good win for the U.S. Some of the wall-gamers have
gained a lot of futsal experience. The MISL should
switch to side and end lines.

Do you have any idea where the funding is coming from
for the U.S. Team?


--- rspcoswal <scott@...> wrote:

>
http://www.sportsfeatures.com/PressPoint/show.php?id=11685
>
>




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http://www.sportsfeatures.com/PressPoint/show.php?id=11685

4-0 shutout of Costa Rica puts the US through to World Championship

http://www.ussoccer.com/news/fullstory.sps?inewsid=86393

They should advance, although the qualifying seems to
be a lot tougher than it used to be.


--- rspcoswal <scott@...> wrote:
>
http://www.soccertimes.com/usteams/2004/games/jul26.htm
>
> Elimination round qualifying looks promising!  US
> holds a +6 GD over
> Panama for the potential tiebreaker.  Of course a US
> win over Cuba
> or a Panama loss or draw moots all that.
>
>




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http://www.soccertimes.com/usteams/2004/games/jul26.htm

Elimination round qualifying looks promising!  US holds a +6 GD over
Panama for the potential tiebreaker.  Of course a US win over Cuba
or a Panama loss or draw moots all that.

This confuses me.  I was told by Alex that the AGM was August 15.
Is this not right?

I was planning to go out there, but sure don't want to waste a trip.

--- In futsalonline_newsgroup@yahoogroups.com, Paul Baker
<psb7508@y...> wrote:
> I've heard that Alex cancelled the AGM again this year...........I
guess I can see his point - why bother!  I mean no one else has any
input worth while about futsal in the United States anyway.
>
> It's now time to find an alternative for futsal in this country.
One that will:
>
> 1)  Hold legitimate elections at AGM's and be accountable to the
membership through a board representative of the members allowing
input into an agenda that is voted on.
>
> 2)  Operating Statements are provided to membership and budgets
are voted upon annually and thus be "transparently run" to its
members.
>
> 3)  Have a written membership policy.
>
>
>
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
> http://mail.yahoo.com

Might have been one of those rare events. I'm waiting
to see how they do in the next game.

--- david0@... wrote:
> Problem is, we're supposed to be better than that,
> given previous performances.  This sort of harkens
> back to when the outdoor team was comprised of MISL
> and college players, and we couldn't qualify for the
> WC then, either.
> Notice what happened when we had a serious league to
> fall back on.
>
---------------------------------
I guess you could call that a start.

--- rspcoswal <scott@...> wrote:
>
http://www.ussoccer.com/news/fullstory.sps?inewsid=84563
>
>


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http://messenger.yahoo.com

Problem is, we're supposed to be better than that, given previous performances. 
This sort of harkens back to when the outdoor team was comprised of MISL and
college players, and we couldn't qualify for the WC then, either.
Notice what happened when we had a serious league to fall back on.

I guess you could call that a start.

--- rspcoswal <scott@...> wrote:
>
http://www.ussoccer.com/news/fullstory.sps?inewsid=84563
>
>


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Note: forwarded message attached.




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Figured it out and was able to access by typing in
"guest".

--- rspcoswal <scott@...> wrote:
> Results for the 2004 Championships are posted at:
>
http://server1.myfutsalleague.com:8080/spads/ViewLeague.jsp;jsessionid=71EE271FF\
7C49519C73338DDE13AB471?leagueId=50
>
>




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Results for the 2004 Championships are posted at:
http://server1.myfutsalleague.com:8080/spads/ViewLeague.jsp;jsessionid=71EE271FF\
7C49519C73338DDE13AB471?leagueId=50

Note: forwarded message attached.




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I don't think it's ever been promoted. The U.S.
wall-gamers wanted to win the games, but they didn't
want to convert their fans to futsal.


--- rspcoswal <scott@...> wrote:
> One of the issues we faced when we tried to start a
> pro league was
> the chicken and egg issue.  It's a dilemma that I
> don't think there
> is a good answer for.  In the time before the NASL,
> the ASL was a
> small professional effort that went on for many
> years.  Beyond that,
> top level competition was found only in the ethnic
> leagues scattered
> around the country.  I couldn't say whether those
> efforts were
> necessary to enable to NASL to start (I tend to
> think not) or
> whether they were a base that was built on.
>
> I took a look at the match reports for the World Cup
> qualifiers in
> Milwaukee and was a little stunned to see the
> attendance was barely
> over 200.  I don't think that bodes well for
> encouraging anyone to
> launch into a pro league, but I have no clue what,
> if any, promotion
> was done.
>
> --- In futsalonline_newsgroup@yahoogroups.com,
> "dave_o_1999"
> <david0@b...> wrote:
> > I wonder, though, if it wouldn't take a full-out
> pro league to get
> the awareness to a
> > level where there would be the interest to start
> regional amateur
> leagues.  Remember,
> > outdoor soccer, which has been played in the US
> for about as long
> as baseball has, in
> > one form or another, did not really "take off"
> until the formation
> of what eventually
> > became the NASL.  It would be nice to, at the very
> least, have
> some osrt of
> > international barnstorming tour come through the
> US to let people
> see the "real" futsal
> > being played by professionals.  I don't know if
> this could ever
> happen, but I believe
> > that seeing a quality product would spur interest
> in a grassroots
> level of participation.
> > It's one of those chicken/egg, Catch 22
> situations.  In order to
> have a pro league, you
> > need to have a market for it, but in order to get
> your market, you
> have to at least whet
> > their appetite.  Futsal has an uphill battle to
> fight, and I'm not
> sure what the proper
> > course of action would be.  I guess that's why I'm
> out here in
> the "outer darkness," as
> > it were :).
>
>


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One of the issues we faced when we tried to start a pro league was
the chicken and egg issue.  It's a dilemma that I don't think there
is a good answer for.  In the time before the NASL, the ASL was a
small professional effort that went on for many years.  Beyond that,
top level competition was found only in the ethnic leagues scattered
around the country.  I couldn't say whether those efforts were
necessary to enable to NASL to start (I tend to think not) or
whether they were a base that was built on.

I took a look at the match reports for the World Cup qualifiers in
Milwaukee and was a little stunned to see the attendance was barely
over 200.  I don't think that bodes well for encouraging anyone to
launch into a pro league, but I have no clue what, if any, promotion
was done.

--- In futsalonline_newsgroup@yahoogroups.com, "dave_o_1999"
<david0@b...> wrote:
> I wonder, though, if it wouldn't take a full-out pro league to get
the awareness to a
> level where there would be the interest to start regional amateur
leagues.  Remember,
> outdoor soccer, which has been played in the US for about as long
as baseball has, in
> one form or another, did not really "take off" until the formation
of what eventually
> became the NASL.  It would be nice to, at the very least, have
some osrt of
> international barnstorming tour come through the US to let people
see the "real" futsal
> being played by professionals.  I don't know if this could ever
happen, but I believe
> that seeing a quality product would spur interest in a grassroots
level of participation.
> It's one of those chicken/egg, Catch 22 situations.  In order to
have a pro league, you
> need to have a market for it, but in order to get your market, you
have to at least whet
> their appetite.  Futsal has an uphill battle to fight, and I'm not
sure what the proper
> course of action would be.  I guess that's why I'm out here in
the "outer darkness," as
> it were :).

I wonder, though, if it wouldn't take a full-out pro league to get the awareness
to a
level where there would be the interest to start regional amateur leagues. 
Remember,
outdoor soccer, which has been played in the US for about as long as baseball
has, in
one form or another, did not really "take off" until the formation of what
eventually
became the NASL.  It would be nice to, at the very least, have some osrt of
international barnstorming tour come through the US to let people see the "real"
futsal
being played by professionals.  I don't know if this could ever happen, but I
believe
that seeing a quality product would spur interest in a grassroots level of
participation.
It's one of those chicken/egg, Catch 22 situations.  In order to have a pro
league, you
need to have a market for it, but in order to get your market, you have to at
least whet
their appetite.  Futsal has an uphill battle to fight, and I'm not sure what the
proper
course of action would be.  I guess that's why I'm out here in the "outer
darkness," as
it were :).

I think you are right about that Paul.  I think it is an
evolutionary concept.  Tim shares my belief that such a structure
could evolve into a professional league and that maybe over time,
having futsal professionals will improve our national teams.

I believe you could also have a base for U23 or youth national teams
come from such a league.

--- In futsalonline_newsgroup@yahoogroups.com, Paul Baker
<psb7508@y...> wrote:
> I think that is a great idea.  I would caution everyone by saying
that I would think full time professionals from either indoor or
outdoor leagues would be necessary still to provide many if not most
players to a national roster.
>
> tim sheldon <timsheldon99@y...> wrote:Creation of regional futsal
leagues is the approach
> that I like. Then the champions of north, south, east
> and west could meet for a semifinal, consolation and
> final. The strongest clubs would probably be
> semi-professional from the start and could evolve into
> a national professional league. You could even have
> promotion and relegation.
>
>
>
>
> --- david0@b... wrote:
> > Yes to all, if the interest is there.
> > >
> > > From: "rspcoswal" <scott@p...>
> > > Date: 2004/07/10 Sat PM 01:19:15 EDT
> > > To: futsalonline_newsgroup@yahoogroups.com
> > > Subject: [futsalonline_newsgroup] Regional Futsal
> > Leagues
> > >
> > >
> >
> ---------------------------------
> In the absence of a professional league, would it make
> sense to
> organize Regional Futsal Leagues to promote high level
> amateur
> competition in the sport?  Could these leagues provide
> an eventual
> source of players at the national level?  Could they
> be a foundation
> for a later professional league?  Could they at least
> provide some
> competition at the national championships?
>
>
>
>
>
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Creation of regional futsal leagues is the approach
that I like. Then the champions of north, south, east
and west could meet for a semifinal, consolation and
final. The strongest clubs would probably be
semi-professional from the start and could evolve into
a national professional league. You could even have
promotion and relegation.




--- david0@... wrote:
> Yes to all, if the interest is there.
> >
> > From: "rspcoswal" <scott@...>
> > Date: 2004/07/10 Sat PM 01:19:15 EDT
> > To: futsalonline_newsgroup@yahoogroups.com
> > Subject: [futsalonline_newsgroup] Regional Futsal
> Leagues
> >
> >
>
---------------------------------
In the absence of a professional league, would it make
sense to
organize Regional Futsal Leagues to promote high level
amateur
competition in the sport?  Could these leagues provide
an eventual
source of players at the national level?  Could they
be a foundation
for a later professional league?  Could they at least
provide some
competition at the national championships?





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