GO Indoor

Mail Bag Our letters this month confirm that the indoor season has arrived, with more than our usual number of letters about rules and referees. Thanks to all who have sent us their questions and opinions. We enjoy hearing from you. THIS & THAT Dear GOAL Indoor: I am an indoor soccer arena owner and I already get your magazine. I love every issue. I was wondering when the next national indoor tournaments will be in our area (Indiana, Michigan, etc.) I am looking for U-17 division for my team. Any info would be appreciated. Sue, Fort Wayne, IN Dear Sue, Thank you for your kind words. For tournament information, we suggest your contacting directly the National Indoor Championship via USIndoorʼs online Links page or one or more of the facilities listed on its online Members page. Perhaps there will be interest in developing more regional tournaments with your initiative. Good luck! [NOTE: Those interested in the NIC can check out this yearʼs schedule, published in this issue.] Dear GOAL Indoor: I coach an outdoor 12 year old boysʼ team and would like to play them in an indoor league. Do you know the name or location in San Juan Capistrano, Ca? Richie Dear Richie, We understand that not long ago the City was looking into converting a tennis facility for indoor soccer. You may, therefore, wish to contact the City at (949) 493-5911. If this does not work out, please scan USIndoor's online Members page for a facility that is convenient to you, or contact us again if you need more help. Good luck! Dear GOAL Indoor: We have a group of girls who have been playing outdoor AYSO soccer and now have decided to get a team together for indoor soccer. They are going to play (under 12). None of them have ever played indoor soccer, and the coaches have also never been involved with indoor soccer. Can you tell me if there is a site to go to to get rules and basic information for youth indoor soccer? Any information you can give would be helpful. Nora, Chicago, IL Dear Nora, The rule book you ordered is on its way. You may also be interested in ordering from USIndoor's Publications page a subscription to GOAL Indoor 4 • Dec.-Jan. 2002 • G O A L Ind o o r magazine and from its online Soccer Mall the book, Indoor Soccer!, written in 1987. While helpful, you might also like to know that USIndoor is presently at work with McGraw-Hill in the publication of a more modern guide. Unfortunately, you will have to wait until next season for it to be available. RULES AND REFS Dear Goal Indoor, Are the boards "live" in youth and professional indoor soccer, or is there a stoppage in play each time the ball hits the boards? Elwood, Omaha, NE Dear Elwood, The boards are part of the field of play. Therefore, play continues when the ball makes contact with them. For more, order a copy of the Official Rules, available via USIndoor's online "Publications" page. Thank you for your question. Dear Mr. Sanhoury, I was fascinated by your "Referee's Tips: Game Preparation" in last monthʼs Goal Indoor. It is refreshing to read such an article that discusses the diplomatic aspect of being a referee, recognizing the different personality types on the field and essentially being a politician. This is an aspect of refereeing that I feel is often overlooked, until I read your article. Unfortunately I missed the "enforcer" and "lawyer" pieces. I am a certified referee in Quebec, Canada. Am I eligible to take the U.S. certification program? Zaidoon, Montreal, CANADA Dear Zaidoon, Thank you for your compliments. Absolutely, you are eligible to attend and become indoor certified. Unfortunately, we do not have a Clinic scheduled in your area. Perhaps one of your local facilities would be willing to act as host. For a list of upcoming Certification Clinics, please refer to USIndoor's online Referees page. We will be sure to place you on the e-mail list to receive future Newsletters. In the meantime, if you would like to order any backissues of GOAL Indoor, you may do so through USIndoor's online Soccer Mall. Dear Said, I am presently a USSF Grade 8 Referee, awaiting my paperwork confirming an upgrade to Grade 7. Is this a transferable certification? Michael, Portland, OR Dear Michael, The training and related requirements for USIndoor's certification as an indoor soccer referee are considerably different, compared to that for outdoor soccer, owing to the differences between the games. Therefore, the certification for outdoor soccer is not transferable, unless coupled with specialized training suited to indoor soccer. For information about USIndoorʼs Referee Clinics, please con- sult USIndoor's online Referees page. Dear Ref, I am interested in becoming certified as a USIndoor "State" referee (youth and adult amateur games). I live in Tucson, Arizona, and can travel within Arizona or to Southern California. Please keep me informed of clinics in these areas. Greg, Tucson, AZ Dear Greg, We will likely be scheduling shortly a clinic in the San Diego area. Please keep an eye out for the announcement on USIndoor's online Referees page. Dear USIndoor, I am interested in becoming a certified indoor ref. I live in CT. Are there any certification clinics in this area? Alf, Willimantic, CT Dear Alf, We have received a number of inquiries from your area about indoor referee certification but have been unable, so far, to secure a host for a clinic. When we do, we will let you know, or perhaps you could assist us here. In any case, please keep checking back to USIndoor's Clinic schedule, located on USIndoor's online "Referees" page, for updates. STARTUPS USIndoor receives a steady stream of inquiries about starting an indoor soccer facility. A sampling is provided here. Dear USIndoor, I need some info ASAP. My boss wants to know what size is an indoor soccer field. We might be looking to build a facility. Sean, Des Moines, IA Dear Sean, The standard, as described in the Official Rules, is 180 x 75 ft. For complete specifications and accepted variances, you can order a copy of the Rules via USIndoor's online "Publications" page. GOAL IDOOR N AND USI NDOOR WELCOME LETTERS THE EDITORAND PUBLISH TO . P EXCERPTS FROM AS MANY AS POSSIBLE LEASEWRITE B A , V 22206 TO P.O. OX 6569, RLINGTON IRGINIA OR SEND E-MAILTO PR@ USINDOOR COM . HANK YOU . . T

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