Futsal. (photo courtesy of jjsoccer.ca)JJ Soccer Limited hosted their third annual Umbro Cup over the weekend, but this year's event had a different twist to it.

Instead of playing regular soccer this year, indoor futsal was the sport of choice for the tournament as JJ Soccer introduces the soccer variation here in the Friendly City.

“It started last Monday where the kids got a training opportunity to understand all the rules of futsal and how it's a little bit different than regular indoor soccer,” explained Jason Jones, technical director with JJ Soccer.

15 players in the Under-16 and Under-18 age groups came out of the tournament and they were split up into three teams with games happening on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and then the final on Sunday with Canada winning 13-10 over Brazil.

Futsal is a modified version of soccer played indoors on a basketball court with four players and a goalie on the court for each team during play.

“You could see that because of the confined space that they were in and the amount of players that were on the field, it gives them just enough space, but they have to be very skilled to work with the space that they're given,” said Jones.  “All the kids played very well throughout the week.”

JJ Soccer started using futsal as their winter training option this year and Jones said the reception so far has been great.

“Some of the comments that were made (by some of the players) were, 'I can't believe when I go back to regular soccer how slow it will be,'” said Jones.  “It's nice to be able to introduce it here in Moose Jaw and have the kids pick it up and be so positive and receptive about it.

“Futsal is the only recognized indoor game through FIFA and what ends up happening is in all the other countries in the world, the greatest players have all played and grown up on futsal,” added Jones.

Training is back underway for JJ Soccer.  If you would like more information about futsal or their programs, you can call Jason Jones at 306-630-4741 or visit jjsoccer.ca.