As
a racquetball player I am thrilled to participate in International
Court Soccer. It gives me an opportunity to vary my workout but
remain in an environment that I am comfortable with. The game
provides an intense leg workout while continuing to improve upon
my court position, shot selection, and overall agility in the
court. I have also found that knowing the effects that the walls
have gives me an edge against an opponent that has not spent time
in a court.
As a club manager for the Courthouse Athletic Club, I am even
more thrilled to embrace the game as it gives my members another
activity to enjoy at the club. Soccer players are able to practice
their skills one on one any time of the year. People that have
never played soccer now have an avenue to learn the fundamentals
of the game without running the length of the field or needing
pads or special shoes. With nine courts at my club I am able to
hold leagues and mini-tournaments as well. The ball does not damage
the courts and it is a sport that can be enjoyed by members of
any age.
In Health,
Phil Crock
Club Manager
Courthouse Athletic Club
4132 Devonshire Ct. NE
Salem, Or 97305
(503) 485-5709
philc@fitfx.com
I
am a 32 year old male who hasn't played organized soccer for over
13 years. I never seemed to have the time to join an adult team
and I didn't know enough people who played that could all get
together at once. Over the years I got into racquetball. It was
a sport I could play regardless of weather and it was easier to
find at least one person to play with.
A friend of mine introduced me to International Court Soccer after
seeing a poster for it at the YMCA in Bremerton, WA. We've been
playing for the past three months and it's been great! It's so
much fun kicking a ball around again. In some ways it's more fun
than soccer because players get to touch the ball considerably
more during ICS play. Like racquetball, it's easy for me to find
people to play and we can do so regardless of the weather. I told
a co-worker about the sport and he liked it so much he joined
our gym in Poulsbo, WA just to play ICS.
Everytime I play, someone new takes notice and is curious to know
more. I believe the sport will continue to grow and the level
of play will increase dramatically. This is just the beginning
and I'm glad I could be a part of it.
Cary
Hull -
Poulsbo, WA
ICS
has brought new excitement and meaning to our racquetball courts.
It's a sport in which our members and myself can excel and get
better at. As an Assistant Manager at a fitness facility, it's
great to see our members get excited about playing a whole new
sport. It has given myself and members a whole new exciting workout.
Speaking about our club, ICS leagues have become as common as
Racquetball leagues. Not only has it inspired many members, but
has also brought many new memberships to our club. This game is
the epitome of a enjoyable and exciting cardiovascular workout
within the confines of an athletic facility.
Donny
Zavala
Assistant Club Manager
Courthouse Athletic Club
Salem, OR
At
the age of 5 I began playing recreational soccer. As the years
passed I got more involved in the higher levels of the game culminating
in a scholarship to a PAC-10 school. By living in Oregon, my options
to compete at a high level are very limited. I eventually quit
playing soccer altogether only a few years after graduating from
college, which is when I began playing racquetball.
Last year I was introduced to International Court Soccer and fell
in love with this sport immediately. ICS combined the two sports
I am most passionate about! Not only have I improved upon my soccer
skills, but I have found an arena where I am challenged unlike
the adult and indoor soccer leagues in my area. Interestingly
enough, it is those players that have little or no soccer background
and the racquetball players that challenge me the most on the
court.
I would recommend this sport to new and longtime soccer players
as a way to hone their skills. There are many ways players can
use this game to improve their outdoor game. Here are a few:
· develop better touch on the ball (maximizing touches
prior to returning the ball to the front wall)
· better decision making (choosing how hard and where to
return the ball based on where the opponent is on the court, also
keeping a sharp mind when fatigued)
· driving the ball (making shots to the front wall that
stay low (ideal for strikers practicing shooting on goal)
· clearing the ball / ceiling shots (good for defenders)
· improving reaction (playing close to the front wall)
ICS is easy to learn, in fact, one could be playing with only
a couple of minutes of instruction. Not only is it easy to learn,
it is easy to play and also a lot of fun!
- Karey Jensen
Oregon, USA
I
just wanted to say what a great game it is and hope that it will
become mainstream in the UK as we thoroughly enjoyed it. We found
it great for improving our touch and control of the ball, and
will be playing it a lot more throughout the Summer in the close
season to keep our fitness and ball skills up to standard before
the new season starts. We just wanted to say we think it is a
great sport and hope to see it played on a professional level
and one day be in the Olympics as it is capable, thanks.
Yours sincerely
Ben O'Sullivan, UK
It's
starting a bit of a revolution down here you know. The Varsity
football squad have started playing it as it's great for our touch,
though I think every goal I score now will be a volley.
Gary Bonsels, UK