Youth and High School Games
State League (SL) vs. Other Leagues:
One of the main reasons we participate in the State League is down to both OYSAN (Ohio North’s governing body) and TFA’s philosophies. Ohio North understands the demands of players. Resulting in fewer games, the ability for player movement between age groups and having a policy that coaches need a minimal qualification, so they understand the importance about development within the game. The competition has increased over the past years in all age groups and divisions. We feel over the past 2 years the league has evened the competition level by the way of relegation/promotion. It's always difficult placing a team to make sure they have the right competitive environment to learn in.
When scheduling SL games all coaches try to be accommodating with travel, i.e. schedule 2 away games per day to alleviate traveling costs. This is easier in the fall than spring, as it’s a longer season and more weekends to choose from!
Other leagues still do not cater to our Academy development; they continually make every team play 10-12 (plus) games per season, which is fine if you are not participating in tournaments. However, for the boys to play that many games as well as tournaments are just too demanding. TFA prides itself on being unique in the way of developing players within NW Ohio, resulting in players equating to the 4 to 1 ratio. 4 practices to every 1 competitive game played. This is part of our make up and reflects in our Mission Statement as well as our Philosophy.
Midwest Regional League (MRL):
High school age teams that finish in the final four at State Cup are entered into the MRL. This is the most competitive league in the Region where teams play against other State semi-finalists, finalists and winners. There are 2 leagues; the Premier Division and Division 1. The MRL schedules games over a weekend, playing 2 games on a Saturday and 1 on a Sunday morning. This means 1 to 2 overnight stays.
Game Preparation:
The expectations of TFA coaches for games are to arrive 30 minutes ahead of the K.O. time. This being said at tournaments and even league games sometimes this is extremely difficult with our schedules (heading from game to game with multiple teams). However, ALL players within TFA are expected to warm themselves up both physically, and mentally prepare themselves without any supervision. All players (not just captains or leaders) need to take responsibility; going into the game being prepared is down to the player. The coach prepares them to the best of their ability during the week in training.
All TFA coaches constantly talk about game preparation with every team all the way down to the U10's. Thus, the younger player experiencing what they need to go through to 100% prepare themselves for their up-coming fixture.
People do not realize, as the player gets older, the mental part of the game becomes more significant. Their focus and preparation takes a lot out of them physically and mentally. Again, until the player is older they do not always understand this.
During our annual England Tour for the U16 age players (this is optional), this is the biggest element we address and the players soon realize how important it is to their game on their return.