NSCAA, U.S. Futsal introduce first-ever futsal coaching diploma

BALTIMORE (Via NSCAA) – The National Soccer Coaches Association of America and U.S. Futsal, the only national futsal governing body affiliated directly with U.S. Soccer and U.S. Youth Soccer, have partnered to create the first-ever NSCAA Diploma for futsal. The co-branded course will be available both online and in-person starting in April 2016.

Futsal is the five-a-side version of soccer played on a basketball-size court and with a low-bounce ball. It is the official indoor soccer game of FIFA and is one of the most popular soccer variations in the world.

“We’re very pleased to be developing this valuable diploma course for soccer coaches,” said NSCAA CEO Lynn Berling-Manuel. “U.S. Futsal has been promoting futsal for 35 years and this partnership ensures that coaches are receiving first-class training.

“Futsal has taken off across the U.S. with programs and facilities cropping up everywhere. But the resources for quality coach education have not existed. We’re pleased to have U.S. Futsal contribute its expertise to make sure this course is the definitive coaching education opportunity for futsal.”

Ian Barker, NSCAA Director of Coaching Education, and Bill Sampaio, U.S. Futsal National Director of Coaching, are presenting, “Futsal Rules & Key Player Development Concepts” at the NSCAA Convention in Baltimore. The session is Thursday, Jan. 14, 3:45-4:45 p.m. at the KwikGoal Demo Field 2 in the Baltimore Convention Center.

“The game of futsal has been the learning ground for some of the greatest players that have ever stepped on a soccer field,” said Alex Para, President and CEO of U.S. Futsal. “The NSCAA has been educating soccer coaches for years, and through this great partnership, we will work together to educate our coaches on how to use futsal as a way to improve the technical skills of our soccer players.”