Futsal Academy

Purpose: The SFUSA Futsal Academy is designed for children who cannot commit to Travel Team Soccer but still want to enhance their skills in a structured environment. This program is ideal for children aged 7 and older who have at least one year of soccer experience, either through Soccer Friends USA classes or other soccer programs.

Coaching: Professional coaches, led by Head Coach and SFUSA Futsal Director Efrain Nino, provide dynamic, progressive, and fun lesson plans that align with the academy's curriculum. Each session focuses on developing technical skills, creativity, and tactical understanding.

Benefits:

  • Skill Development: Focuses on dribbling, passing, and shooting under pressure.

  • Learning Environment: Encourages frequent ball touches and opportunities to score, fostering a love for the game.

  • Comprehensive Training: Promotes motor ability, balance, agility, coordination, and problem-solving.

Practice Details:

  • Days: Monday and Wednesday late afternoons.

  • Season: Runs from September to June.

  • Location: The Forest Hills Jewish Center, 106-06 Queens Boulevard, Forest Hills, NY 11375.

Things to known about Futsal

    • 5 players versus 5 players, one of which will be a Goalkeeper. It is expected that each player will have to take a turn being Goalkeeper. SFUSA coaches will organize this

    • Subs on the fly, like hockey

    • No offsides

    • No goalkeeper punts, ball must stay below head height, otherwise possession and a free kick will be awarded to the opposing team

    • No slide tackles, players must not go to ground to steal possession back

    • No Throw-ins from the sidelines. Instead ball is placed on ground and passed in to a teammate with the foot

    • Free kicks and corners the opposing team has to be minimum of 5 yards away from the ball

    • With a penalty kick, all players behind the ball except for the penalty kicker

    • Indoor flat bottomed soccer shoes or regular sneakers (No cleats allowed - they will not be permitted to play with studded cleats)

    • Shin Guards

    • Your team's jersey which will be given to you by our coaches on the first game day

    • Comfortable indoor athletic clothing (Shorts with long socks or Sweat pants are ideal)

    • Water Bottle/Gatorade

    • If they wear glasses they must wear protective sports glasses, they will not be permitted to play with regular glasses on

    • Keep a printed-out copy of your game day schedule in your child’s sports bag you all received this by email

    • Always check your child’s team's schedule on the Friday before the games to avoid arriving later or earlier than needed.

    • Try to arrive to each game at least 15 minutes prior to your child's game. Our schedule is tightly packed so games will start promptly and begin without the full team arriving - we will not wait on one or two players.

    • Make sure your child has packed their shin guards, water bottle, and team shirt the night before each game.

    • Make sure your child wears comfortable athletic clothing to play in. They will have their team's jersey which will be provided by us, and given to you at the first round of games. From home they can wear sweatpants or shorts when playing, and flat sole soccer shoes or regular sneakers. NO STUDDED CLEATS.

    • For parents watching please be aware that the spectating area is very close to the field, therefore always be paying attention to watching the game, and the ball to avoid being hit by the ball or players who overrun the field boundary. Avoid standing close to the goals.

    • Respect that other games are going on when you arrive and after, so no walking or hanging out in the playing area.

    • Lastly, we want you to cheer on your child, and show good sportsmanship to all teams and players. Avoid coaching from the sidelines as this will just confuse your child. Our coaches will give the instructions and make sure the children are always safe, learning, and most importantly enjoying their Futsal experience. We will not tolerate bad sportsmanship, language, or abuse to our referees.

Winter Futsal League

Soccer Friends USA offers dynamic winter futsal leagues from January to March.

These leagues provide children aged 5 and up with the chance to develop their soccer skills in a fast-paced, small-sided game environment.

Features:

  • Game Format: 5v5 games on a smaller field, emphasizing ball control and quick decision-making.

  • Skill Enhancement: Focuses on dribbling, passing, shooting, and defending in high-pressure situations.

  • Professional Coaching: Ensures a fun and educational experience with a focus on individual skill development and team play.

Benefits:

  • Increased Ball Touches: Players have more opportunities to touch the ball, enhancing their skills.

  • Quick Decision Making: Encourages players to make quick decisions under pressure.

  • Skill Development: Helps players become more agile, faster, and stronger, with better balance and spatial awareness.

Futsal Programs

** IMPORTANT please read **
If classes have already started, please register through this page
LINK HERE