BYSA replacing indoor soccer with futsal in the winter

Futsal will replace indoor soccer at the recreational level in the Brandon Youth Soccer Association (BYSA), and Bo Kampmann is eager to implement the sport for its many benefits to the players.

Kampmann, who sits on the board of directors of the BYSA, is the head coach of men’s futsal at Assiniboine Community College, and is spearheading the integration of futsal into the recreation level in Brandon.

"There’s a tremendous advantage to all of this in that it’s LTPD aligned." Kampmann said.

LTPD stands for long-term player development, which is a Canadian Soccer Association program that focuses on training and developing players based on physical maturity as opposed to chronological age.

Futsal is the only indoor sport recognized by FIFA. It differs from indoor soccer in several ways.

Futsal is played on a basketball court, with the net standing just two feet high. There are no throw-ins and no offside penalty in futsal which allows the game to run much faster than indoor soccer.

"The player learns quick thinking, decision making, as well as individual learning, ball control, passing and receiving, but most importantly teamwork." Kampmann said.

Typically played with four on-field players and a goalie, futsal allows up to 14 players on a team, and the game runs for two 25-minute halves. The game doesn’t stop for substitutions, similar to what is seen in FIFA games, and when a player is evicted from the game their team is given a two minute penalty before they may replace the player on the field. The ball used in futsal is different from soccer balls in that it’s bounce reduced.

Since there are fewer players on the field each person has more opportunities to handle the ball, which contributes to agility, shooting skills and balance, according to Kampmann.

He said the chance for player development in futsal is much greater than indoor soccer, but in integrating the sport at the rec level Kampmann said he’ll make a significant rule adjustment, which will only apply to BYSA games.

"FIFA rules allow slide tackles," Kampmann said. "In my opinion slide tackles may be or may not be done at the college level, but I am not in favour to allow slide tackles for youth."

Kampmann is authorized to train others to coach futsal. He said as many coaches as he can find will dictate the number of teams created within the BYSA, and the teams will be split into two pools. At the end of the season the top four will compete in the city championship.

Kampmann said despite being at the recreational level, he thinks there's a great importance to introducing youth to a competitive element.

"This is how we learn," he said. "We need to be challenged and in my opinion challenging a youth player is not done by playing recreationally.

"They coach, get coached, and play the same as rec, but it’s for something — not just for the sake of playing."

Futsal has been played at ACC for five years now and is played by six colleges and universities in Manitoba, including Brandon University.

Kampmann said he’s not sure exactly when futsal season will begin, but he’s excited to introduce it to the Wheat City’s youth.

"My hope is as soon as possible," Kampmann said. "I would love to start in November but being in the first year we may have some delay as we have yet to line up referee’s and coaches."

He hopes that futsal will be successful and will expand into more competitive local leagues over the next few years.

The Westman FC teams will not change with the replacement of indoor soccer with futsal, as the adjustment will initially only be made at the recreational level.

» msolomon@brandonsun.com

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