PREPARING FOR THE NEXT LEVEL

The Extreme Futball Academy (EFA) is open to all U7-U10 players in the Tulsa area and its surrounding communities. The Academy’s purpose is to provide advanced skill training to young soccer players in a fun, but focused environment.

At the Extreme Academy, our primary goal is player development. We strive to give young players the tools and knowledge to prepare them for future competitive play at the U11 age group. This preparation includes training under professional coaches and playing in a more challenging environment on a consistent weekly and seasonal basis.

THE BRIDGE BETWEEN RECREATIONAL AND COMPETITIVE SOCCER

Our Academy is not for every player. It is designed for those players who love soccer, have the desire and commitment to train and who are ready for the additional challenges the Academy presents. It is not for those players who find recreational soccer difficult. Teams typically train twice weekly and play games on Sundays at the Union Soccer Fields. (For more information regarding league play and location, please see our Q & A section.) Most teams attend both local and away tournaments.

Q & A

WHO CAN & SHOULD REGISTER?

Players who have the desire and commitment to train and who are ready for increased challenges the Academy presents.

ARE THERE TRYOUTS?

There are no tryouts for the Extreme Academy. However, players are strongly encouraged to attend an introductory training session either set up through the coach or the introductory sessions offered pre-season (May and November). There are also open Academy training sessions (all ages) offered every Saturday. These are open to any Academy player or player who is interested in joining the Academy.

These introduction sessions are crucial to help the parent and player determine if the environment is best suited for the player’s overall development. Every athlete needs to experience challenges as well as successes and training must be developmentally appropriate to maximize his or her development.

HOW ARE TEAMS FORMED?

In the first season of Academy, players are placed into a "player pool" that trains and competes in matches. Players are divided into teams based on their abilities and developmental progress. Team format depends on the number of players. If there are too many players for one team and not enough to form two teams, two teams will be formed for league play. It will then be up to the coaching staff for each team and the actual number of players on whether or not the group will practice together.

CAN MY ATHLETE COMPETE WITH HIS FRIENDS WHO ARE IN AN OLDER AGE GROUP?

We recommend players start with the Academy at their appropriate age group. However, with player development as our focus, there are some cases where players will move between teams. This decision will be made by the age group coaches based on the player’s best interest.

HOW MANY TIMES/WEEK DOES THE ACADEMY TRAIN?

Teams in the Academy practice twice weekly for approximately 1-1½ hours per session. All training sessions are held in Owasso.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RECREATIONAL AND THE EXTREME ACADEMY?

There is a place for both! The focus of recreational soccer is fun and players are guaranteed equal playing time. Recreational soccer is also the beginning stage of where fundamental skills are introduced and taught. The Academy is designed to help develop and refine those fundamental skills. The Academy is also geared toward players who want to commit to training to develop their game. Of course, training is still fun (otherwise, why would they play?!) Yet there are added challenges to increase player development.

HOW MUCH PLAYING TIME WILL MY ATHLETE GET?

This is determined by the individual coach and will vary based on training attendance, punctuality, attitude during practices and games, etc. Our league, ODL, requires every player receive a minimum of 25% of each game.

WHEN IS THE ACADEMY SEASON?

A typical spring season lasts February-May. A typical fall season lasts July-November. Seasons will vary according to tournaments entered and individual coaches’ preferences.

WHO CAN COACH FOR THE EXTREME ACADEMY?

Every coach in the Extreme Academy has or is working toward a national coaching license and has coaching experience. If interested, please contact EFA DIRECTOR, Dave Yates.

WHAT IS PLAYER DEVELOPMENT?

Our goal in the Academy is to develop players to reach their full potential. Soccer is not a game where coaches provide players answers to every problem they encounter on the field. Players must be taught to be creative problem solvers. They must think and feel for themselves. They learn this through repetition-the more they play the game, the better they should get. For more on player development, go to: http://www.usyouthsoccer.org/Blog.asp?topic_id=3

WHEN ARE WHERE DOES THE ACADEMY PLAY GAMES?

All league games are held at the Union Soccer Complex at 3801 S. 136th East Avenue in Tulsa on Sundays.