WYC 073 – Fastest growing sport in USA: Futsal – Jon Caldwell talks getting kids 12x the number of touches

Ginga mission statement: ‘We strive to teach confidence and total control over the ball. GINGA focuses on the individual skills of the player. GINGA will create attacking players, by teaching moves and feints to unbalance your defender. Our goal is to develop total soccer players not positional players, who have an artistic relationship with the ball and the game.’

Website: thegingatouch.com

Twitter: @jcaldwell13; @thegingatouch

Facebook: /The-Ginga-Touch-192724914078318

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Quote

‘No lines, no lectures’

‘At the younger ages – that is the time to take the risks. That is the time to fail. I would be doing something wrong if all the teams I coach at the younger ages win every single game.’

Futsal

• #1 developmental tool for soccer players in South America and Europe
• 5 vs. 5 game with heavier low-bounce ball. There are out-of-bounds (unlike indoor soccer.)
• HUGE IDEA: Kids that play futsal touch the ball 12x vs. traditional soccer
• Constant problem-solving and quick decisions because of the small spaces

Building confidence

• Freeplay is huge. No parents or coaches.
• Friday night bridge futsal nights – They have open play – kids wear their favorite jerseys – and play pick-up games.

Teaching Skills

• ‘No lines, no lectures’
• Start the practice playing tag, first without the ball, then add the ball in

Culture – Discipline/Rewards/Teambuilding

• ‘At the younger ages – that is the time to take the risks. That is the time to fail. I would be doing something wrong if all the teams I coach at the younger ages win every single game.’  Teach the kids to take on their opponent, to keep trying one-on-one moves, without fear of failure. The kids that succeed long-term are the ones that can beat their man one-on-one.

Connecting with and Impacting Kids

• Jon coached a kid who started with his Ginga club at age 9. He started out with mediocre skills, but by age 12 he completely got the bug to be great and turned out to be a great athlete.

The One that Got Away

• Jon  recently coached a futsal team that lost on penalty kicks in the championship game. While he would have loved to win the game, he know the coaches and players will learn from the defeat and be even better in the future because of it.

Best stolen idea

• Talk softly around kids – Instead of yelling so the kids can hear you – train them to listen by talking softly

Favorite coaching book

• The Talent Code – by Daniel Coyle

Ginga Futsal

• Website: thegingatouch.com
• Greater Cincinnati area

Parting Advice

• Be positive, encourage the kids. You goal is to get the kids to be passionate about the sport.
• Be organized and have a plan.

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