Arlington’s Futsal Program provides players with an opportunity to receive a comprehensive futsal experience during the winter months (early December through late February). We encourage all those who love the sport of futsal to explore an opportunity to learn from futsal-certified coaches who have a passion for teaching the unique, fast-paced game. Designed for teams seeking the highest level of futsal training and competition, the Futsal Program will feature weekly futsal-specific practices and the option to compete in local/state/regional tournaments. In addition to the Futsal Program offerings for teams, the club will also offer additional futsal-specific programming available to all players beyond their regular winter travel team training. The Futsal Program will be run by Grady Renfrow. 

Vision: The vision of Arlington’s Futsal Program is to inspire and empower players through the game of futsal. The Futsal Program will continually strive to provide the best developmental environment for futsal and soccer players in our community. Arlington’s Futsal Program aims to help young athletes reach their full potential by nurturing technical excellence, promoting character building through teamwork and sportsmanship, as well as fostering a diverse and welcoming environment. The Futsal Program aspires to create a lasting impact by instilling a culture of dedication, respect, and resilience for players who want to thrive at the highest levels of the game. 

Mission: Arlington’s Futsal Program provides a unique learning environment for serious and committed players who have a desire to learn the game of futsal while leveraging futsal to improve their outdoor soccer skills and match impact. The competitive futsal programming encourages players to stretch beyond their comfort zone and challenges players to compete with pace, technical precision, tactical awareness, and confidence.

Age Groups: The Futsal Program is open to all Arlington travel teams in the U9-U19 age groups (Players Born 2017-2007/2008). There is a 10-player minimum to participate in the Futsal Program during the winter season.  

Team Participation: Team participation in the Futsal Program is optional. Interested teams should register using the Futsal Program Registration Form and indicate their team’s preference for additional futsal-specific training and competitions. One team representative needs to fill out the Futsal Program Registration Form per team. After filling out the Futsal Program Registration Form, your team will receive individual communication regarding formal commitment to the Futsal Program.

Futsal Program Features: 

• Additional Futsal-Specific Training: This option is designed for travel teams that are interested in becoming more effective futsal teams. These additional weekly futsal-specific training sessions will challenge players with elite-level futsal concepts in a team environment guided by coaches with futsal experience.  
• Futsal Tournaments: We encourage all Futsal Program teams interested in futsal tournaments to register and compete! Participating in futsal tournaments is optional and would be in addition to the weekly futsal-specific training as part of the Futsal Program. The Futsal Staff can assist in identifying the appropriate futsal tournaments that are suitable for the team’s skill level and appetite for competition. Futsal tournaments can range from local, state, to regional and have varying levels of competition. When registering for the Futsal Program, be sure to indicate your team’s preference for competing in futsal tournaments. 

Benefits of Futsal: Futsal is a fast-paced, high-intensity sport that demands precision, creativity, and teamwork. Played in tight spaces with fewer players (5v5), it places a premium on technical skill, quick decision-making, and tactical awareness—making it one of the most effective environments for developing core soccer competencies. Futsal emphasizes close ball control, quick transitions, and constant engagement. Players are challenged to execute under pressure, adapt quickly, and contribute meaningfully in every moment. These demands accelerate development and foster qualities that translate directly to the 11-a-side game.

Arlington Soccer recognizes futsal as a distinct sport with its own rhythms and requirements. While there are shared fundamentals with outdoor soccer, the skill sets cultivated in futsal—especially in speed of play and situational awareness—can elevate a player’s overall game.

Our Futsal Program is designed to build futsal-specific skills in a team setting, while enhancing broader soccer ability. Players gain exposure to high-pressure scenarios, diverse roles, and dynamic tactical situations—all within a supportive, development-focused environment.

• Decision-making under pressure: Players face critical game moments more frequently, improving composure, execution in tight spaces with increased pressure.
• Tactical awareness: Futsal players build game intelligence by learning to read the game faster, adapting to quickly changing game situations (e.g., quicker and more frequent transitions to attacking/defending)
• Teamwork & Accountability: Futsal stresses the importance of great teamwork by placing players in an environment of greater accountability and responsibility. The 5v5 format demands active participation, clear communication, and increased responsibilities in critical game moments.  
• Technical Versatility: Futsal challenges players to be versatile and control, pass, as well as shoot with both feet. Futsal also exposes players to multiple positions and roles within a single game; therefore, increasing their comfort and ability to succeed in multiple positions. 

The unique demands of the sport allow for accelerated player development and provide an opportunity for players to have a direct and immediate impact on the match. Playing futsal will make you a better player faster!

“Young players exposed to Futsal show a greater comfort on the ball along with more intelligent movement off the ball.” Sam Snow ~ Coaching Director US Youth Soccer