Happy feet

Smaller field, smaller number of players, smaller ball. But bigger on skills and participation.

That’s what futsal — 5-on-5 soccer — is about. The Hawaii Futsal League is designed to improve individual skills and small-group team play on a field of 25 x 35 yards.

Futsal was created as an indoor game; the name is a contraction of the Portuguese "futebol de salao (hall soccer). However, the HFL matches are on grass.

"Grass is more accessible in Hawaii," league organizer Jason Popkin said. "We would like to play more indoors.

"A basketball court is ideal for true futsal, but being the new kid on the block, we get what we can get."

The fall season begins in November, an 8- to 10-week schedule on Saturdays at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Complex and Central Oahu Regional Park. Popkin is expecting around 20 teams, based on the interest the past two years.

Divisions are youth (Under 8 through Under 14), high school and open adult. Teams can be single gender or coed with a recommended roster of eight to 12 players.

There could be more teams this year as word gets out about the sport, from the pickup games played almost daily around Oahu to special tournaments, such as the one held in conjunction with the Dragonboat Festival in July.

Also helping grow the interest are the new Monday foot skills clinics for youth 12 and under at Kapiolani Park.

"I like it because it’s an open forum to play," said Anita Grover, whose 10-year-old son Riley has been attending the clinics. "It’s not just structure, structure, structure. The goalie gets to play and even a shy player can shine.

"Street soccer has been around a long time. I played it growing up (in Texas). There’s a freedom to it. You just have fun."

Erin Maretzki said her sons Quinn, 9, and Jack, 6, have developed their skills through the clinics.

"They’re so used to playing on big fields and, more than anything else, it’s helped their confidence," she said. "They feel better when they play their regular games. When they come to the clinics, they never want to leave."

Aysha Popkin might not have a choice in attending, but the 11-year-old said she enjoys the clinics put on by her dad, as well as the sport.

"It’s more entertaining," she said. "Playing on a smaller field makes it more fun and kids remember how much they enjoy soccer."

Putting the fun back in soccer was one of the reasons Jason Popkin got involved. Growing up playing hockey in Minnesota, he had no soccer background until his children Aysha and Jakob started playing.

"There are so many opportunities for structured soccer," he said. "This is a chance to have fun."

"When kids play on the bigger fields, they can get lost out there," Popkin’s wife, Alissa, said. "They get put in set positions.

"With 5 on 5, you get to play new positions, try new things. The goalie gets to be a forward and take shots. It helps both with skills and with focus."

The Monday clinic costs $10 per session. Space is limited.