1) What is ODP?
2) What are the Goals of ODP?
3) Who is Eligible?
4) How are Players Selected?
5) What do ODP Players do?
6) What is Region I ODP Tournament?
7) What are Regional Camps?
8) What is a National Camp?
9) What are the Benefits of Participating in ODP?
1) 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 or Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), pools of players are identified in each eligible age group, 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.
2) What are the Goals of ODP?
To identify a pool of players in each age group from which a United States National Team will be selected for international competition.
To provide high level training to benefit and enhance the development of players at all levels.
Through the use of carefully selected licensed coaches, develop a mechanism for the enhancement of ideas and curriculum to improve all levels of coaching.
3) Who is Eligible?
Any soccer player registered with ENYYSA and is in good standing is eligible for consideration in the ODP provided that he or she meets the age requirements for the established age group. (If a player is not registered with ENYYSA, please call the office at 888-5-ENYYSA). A player may try out in a state association in which he or she is eligible to be registered. A player may not try out for the ODP in more than one state association. Tryouts are conducted at various times of the year. Interested players should watch our website, www.enysoccer.com for upcoming tryout dates and details. Please note that the approximate cost of the program is $1,000. Players participating in U.S. Soccer Development Academy are not eligible, as per Development Academy guidelines.
4) How are Players Selected?
Players are selected on the basis of open tryouts. These tryouts are conducted by ENYYSA qualified coaches, who are recognized for their ability to identify and train players with superior skills. Selection of players is not an easy task. Therefore, ENYYSA Coaches will be assisted in the selection process by several other qualified coaches from the club or league level. Players are evaluated on four components that make up a soccer player:
1. technique
2. tactics
3. fitness and athletic ability
4. psychological component (attitude)
5) What do ODP Players do?
Upon selection, an ODP player is expected to register in the ODP on-line registration system and participate in all activities of their team. These activities may include exhibition matches, invitational tournaments and sub-regional and regional camps. If players are not available for a specific event, another player from their pool may replace them. Players are expected to take their participation in the program seriously, and should be committed to improving their individual skills as well as improving as a team player. Players are subject to the ODP Code of Conduct upon entry into the ENYYSA ODP Program.
Furthermore, ODP is designed to supplement club training. However, there are times that there are conflicts. ENYYSA works closely with our clubs and follow these guidelines:
- ODP training takes precedence over club practice
- Club games take precedence over ODP training
- ODP game(s) take precedence over club practice
- A club game takes precedence over an ODP friendly game
- ODP tournament (showcase) game(s) takes precedence over a club games and tournament
- Region I games / events takes precedence over ODP and Club games and events
6) What is Region I ODP Tournament?
US Youth Soccer is divided into four Regions, of which ENYYSA is a member of Region I. Region I hosts the ODP Tournament in the second week of June. Only eighteen players are select to attend the ODP Tournament. Players will be selected from the north and south player pools to comprise the team respresenting ENYYSA. This will be accomplished through various friendly matches between the north and south divisions. If a player is selected to attend the ODP Tournament, it’s required that you register for the tournament in the ODP on-line registration system. The fees cover coaches and chaperone expenses.
Teams moving onto the ODP Tournament Semi-finals, usually held in Kirkwood Delaware, will be asked to register in the ODP on-line registration system. If the team wins the final match they will move onto the National Championship, held the following year in March.
7) What are Regional Camps?
Each Region of US YOUTH SOCCER offers a regional camp for state association ODP teams in each eligible age group. The camps are designed to provide high level competition and training for participating players. During this training and competition, players who are capable of performing at a higher level of play are identified for possible national camp, or pool or team participation. ENYYSA is in Region I and the Region I Id Camps are generally in July.
8) What is a National Camp?
National Camps and Interregional events are held throughout the year at various locations in the United States. The National Team Coach or a National Staff Coach is present at these events to observe, train and identify players for placement in the national pool or on a national team.
9) What are the Benefits of Participating in ODP?
1. Development as a player. The opportunity to train and play with the best players.
2. Quality instruction from nationally licensed coaches.
3. Quality competition. Competitive games against other 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.
