Indoor turf provides a better "grip" than
grass, making stops and starts quicker so the game
is very fast-paced with lots of
running.
The ball is contained by dasher boards and/or
netting so no time is wasted on chasing the ball.
Therefore, athletes enjoy more play time and breaks
in the action are few.
The objectives
and rules of indoor soccer are simple. The object is
to score in the opponent's goal and stop them
scoring in yours.
The field is smaller and so are the
teams -- only five or six people on at a time.
Substitutes are made often to eliminate fatigue.
Winter
leagues at most facilities begin in mid November,
with seasons typically running eight weeks and
culminating in a tournament. Most leagues offer two
sessions per winter.
Teams usually meet once a week on nights or
weekends. Games last 40 - 50 minutes. A team
usually consist of about 12 players. In
most cases you sign up as a team, but some
facilities will allow you to register as a "free
agent" and get matched up.
Equipment needed: Uniform, indoor soccer shoes
or cleat-less athletic shoes with good traction,
shin guards and a water bottle
Indoor soccer
shoes resemble sneakers more than traditional soccer
cleats. The fat rubber bottom of the shoe aids
traction while preventing damage to indoor surfaces.
Players who play soccer both outside and indoors may
need to have two pairs of cleats, one designed for
each surface.
The Cost
is approximately $600 to $800 per team, per season
which is divided evenly among players.
