ODP
What is ODP?
The US YOUTH SOCCER Olympic Development Program, or ODP as it is more commonly called, is a national identification and development program for high-level players. The program identifies and develops youth players throughout the country to represent their state association, region and the United States in soccer competition.
ODP teams are formed at the state association and regional levels, made up of the best players in various age groups. At the state association level, pools of players are identified in each eligible age group, and brought together as a team to develop their skill through training and competition. From the state pools and subsequent teams, players are identified for regional and national pools and teams.
What are the Goals of ODP?
1. To identify a pool of players in each age group from which a United States National Team will be selected for international competition.
2. To provide high-level training to benefit and enhance the development of players at all levels.
3. Through the use of carefully selected licensed coaches, develop a mechanism for the enhancement of ideas and curriculum to improve all levels of coaching.
What are the Benefits of Participating in ODP?
1. Development as a player. The opportunity to train and play with the best players in one's age group.
2. Quality instruction from nationally licensed coaches.
3. Quality competition. Games against other state association ODP teams.
4. Exposure to regional and national team coaches.
5. The opportunity to represent one's state, region or country in competition.
6. Exposure to college coaches.
West Virginia’s Olympic Development Program
In support of these national/regional goals, the WV ODP program strives to give each and every player in the state an opportunity to participate in the statewide ODP program. It is our goal to identify the best players at each age level; Provide the best training possible in order to move players to the next level; and Provide them an opportunity to demonstrate their skills at the state and regional levels in a variety of different events as well as provide them an opportunity to be showcased for regional staff and college coaching staff.
While it is the ultimately the goal of the state program to have our players represented in the regional pools and teams, this is by no means the exclusive goal of the WV ODP program. Equally important is our goal to provide exceptional training and competitive opportunities for our players. To this end, we will strive to provide an experienced coaching staff to its players, many of whom have extensive college level play and coaching experience.
Each player and parent should understand that part of the ODP experience is not only the development of new and improved soccer skills but participation in a broad range of experiences contributing to the players emotional, maturational, and social development as well. The players will have the opportunity to meet highly skilled players from states both within and around our region. It is important for both the player and parent to realize that competition at the regional level is very tough and that not making the regional pool is not a negative. Helping your player to establish appropriate goals for his/her ODP experience is an important part of ensuring that your player gets the most out of this exciting opportunity.
Who is Eligible?
Any soccer player is eligible for consideration in the ODP provided that he or she meets the age requirements for the established age group. A player may try out in the state association in which he or she is eligible to be registered. A player may not try out for the ODP team in more than one state association. Tryouts are conducted at various times of the year. Interested players should check this web site or contact the WVSA office for dates and details.
Players are selected, in most states, on the basis of open tryouts. These tryouts are conducted by state association coaches who are recognized for their ability to identify and train players with superior skills. Some state associations combine scouting techniques and invitations to certain players with the open tryouts. Selection of these players is not an easy task. The state association head coach or State Coach will, in most cases, be assisted in the selection process by several
other qualified coaches from the club or league level. Players are evaluated on the four components that make up a soccer player:
Technique - Tactics - Fitness and athletic ability - Psychological component (attitude) How Are WV Players Selected?
Each age group coach is responsible for assessing the performance of each player in his/her age group during the course of a three-hour tryout period. Players will again be assessed at a second training session the following month. The following are some of the important criteria that the ODP coaching staff is assessing at these events: speed, agility, physical fitness, ball skills, team performance, performance under pressure, tactical and strategic understanding of the game, coachability, and player attitude.
To find out more visit: http://www.wvsoccer.net/cgi-bin/artman/publish/cat_index_26.shtml
