ODP Q&A
Frequently Asked Questions About ODP
What is the ODP process?
Why has ODP changed so significantly from years past?
What is different?
What does the new ODP calendar look like?
Why is the indoor training only in Columbus?
How are the ODP age groups determined?
What are State Teams?
What are Regional Camps?
What is a National Camp?
What are the ODP Hotline Numbers and when should I use them?
What are the fees associated with ODP?
What if I cannot attend an ODP session?
What if I am injured during the process?
Do I receive an evaluation?
I reside in a state other than Ohio. Can I attend ODP in Ohio South?
I am a 2001 player. Can I participate in ODP?
I am a player who plays up but I am younger than the 2001 birth year. Can I still participate in the ODP Program?
I cannot attend the session for my age group. Can I train with another age group?
Should my daughter or son get involved?
What will my player get out of ODP?
How are players selected?
How do coaches get involved?
Where do the ODP coaches come from?
Will ODP help my child get a scholarship?
Do college coaches know about ODP?
The U.S. Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program, or ODP as it is more commonly known, is a National, Regional, State and District Team Identification and Development Program for high level players. Back to top
Why has ODP changed so significantly from years past?
Two main reasons; a congested calendar and weather.
It was clear from feedback we received from players, Club Directors of Coaching and parents, that something needed to be done. Club teams train more often, play more games and travel further than at any other time in youth soccer. Calendars are congested with very little space in the fall and spring time periods. Unfortunately, many players had direct conflicts with their club responsibilities and ODP – in short, many times they had to choose which activity to attend.
Anyone who has lived in Ohio for a few years will tell you that the April and May time periods are traditionally very wet. We found that multiple training sessions were impacted – not just in cancelations – but also rain soaked fields impacting the quality of play. Back to top
The new ODP at a Glance.......
2001 Birth Year begin at Phase 1
2000 Birth Year begin at Phase 1
1999 Birth Year begin at Phase 1
1998 Birth Year begin at Phase 1
1997 Birth Year begin at Phase 1
1996 Birth Year begin at Phase 2
1995 Birth Year begin at Phase 2
1994 Birth Year begin at phase 4 (girls only)
1993 Birth Year begin at phase 4 (girls only)
Phase 1: District Training
· 1997 – 2001 birth years only
o There are 6 total training dates in Phase 1 (ODP District Training)
o 4 training dates are in November (Outdoors). These are held in three separate locations in Cincinnati, Dayton and Columbus
o 2 training dates are in December or January/February (Indoors). These are all held at Superkick in Columbus
o After district training is completed in late February, 1997 – 2000 District Teams are selected and players invited back for Phase 2. District Team selections will be posted on the OSYSA website and players notified in early March
o All 2001 age group players have completed the ODP experience for the year
Phase 2: ODP District Festival
· 1997 – 2000 birth years only
o Those players selected to represent their district will compete in the District Team Tournament. This is a two day tournament in late March/early April. The winning District will be presented with the magnificent OSYSA District Champions trophy
o After the tournament is completed, State pools are selected and players invited back for Phase 3. State Pool selections will be posted on the OSYSA website and players notified by mid April
: ODP College Showcase
· 1995 and 1996 only
o 1995 and 1996 age group players enter the ODP process at this phase
o Open tryout – 3 training sessions over two days
o From this tyout and Showcase, State pools are selected and players invited back for Phase 3. State pool selections will be posted on the OSYSA website and players notified by mid April
Phase 3: State Pool Training
· 1997 – 2000 birth years only
o There are 9 to 11 scheduled training sessions for each State Pool team. All training sessions will be in the month of June and early July. The schedule is twice a week – usually Wednesday and Saturday sessions
o There will be 15 State Pool teams
Boys Girls
1997 (1 team) 1997 (2 teams)
1998 Older 1998 Older
1998 Younger 1998 Younger
1999 Older 1999 Older
1999 Younger 1999 Younger
2000 Older 2000 Older
2000 Younger 2000 Younger
o Older State Pools consist of January through June birth months
o Younger State Pools consist of July through December birth months
o State Pools per ODP age group will usually consist of 26 – 32 players
o In the third week in June, players selected to the State Teams attending Regional Camp are announced. State Team selections will be posted on the OSYSA website and players notified
o Those players from the State Pool not selected will be named alternates to the State Team and will continue to train until their team leaves for Regional Camp. Every year, players withdraw due to family emergencies, injuries or other situations that impact their ability to attend Regional Camp. At that time, alternates will be offered a position on the State Team
o State Teams attend Regional Camp in early July over a three week period. For 2012, this time period is July 5th – July 21st
Phase 4: Regional Camp
· 1997 – 2000 birth years (State teams)
· 1995 and 1996 birth years (Invite only)
· 1993/1994 birth years (Combined Invite only – girls only)
o Girls Regional camp will be in DeKalb, IL
o Boys Regional camp will be in Rockford, IL Back to top
1. The biggest difference in the spring time period. We have completely moved out of the April through June time period. By doing so, we have removed nearly all conflicts for our players with their clubs; we now train outside of most club training sessions, league play, and state cup/presidents cup events!
2. We are now training indoors in the winter time period. This is a time period where many players are doing limited training, if any, with their clubs. It just made sense!
3. All State Pool training will be conducted in the month of June. This is a relatively quiet month for many players
4. The process is much simpler for advancement;
District Training.......District Team.......State Pool......State Team
5. We have eliminated many of the pay steps that occurred before. For example, Instead of paying $60.00 in the fall and another $60.00 in the spring, you now just pay one fee of $120.00 for all of Phase 1 and Phase 2
6. At the request of Region II, all players who have their player card through Ohio South but reside in a state other than Ohio South are welcome to attend ODP training with the permission of their home State Director of Coaching and the Ohio South Director of Coaching - Gordon Henderson. These players are now eligible to attend Regional camp with Ohio South Back to top
What does the new ODP calendar look like?
2011 - 2012 Calendar Why is the indoor training only in Columbus?
2011-2012 Age Group Training Session Times and Selection Calendar
Simply put – Superkicks is the only indoor facility in Ohio South that is large enough and that willing to accommodate our training needs. We will be taking over their entire facility for the time that we are there. They have been incredible to work with and follow our ODP philosophy of training the elite level athlete. Back to top
How are the ODP age groups determined?
ODP age groups are determined by birth year. They are different than those used for your club team. Therefore, all 1997 birth year players will be grouped together, all 1998 birth year players will be grouped together, etc. If there are two teams that will be attending Regional camp for a birth year, some age groups will be split up as the first 6 months of the year, and the second six months of the year. This sometimes happens in the younger age groups. Back to top
What are State Teams?
After the ODP State Pool training sessions are completed in the summer, State teams are selected to represent Ohio South at Regional camp. In addition, some age groups will have more than one team attend Regional camp. Back to top
What are Regional Camps?
U.S. Youth Soccer is divided into four regions, each of which offers a Regional camp for State association ODP teams in each eligible age group. Ohio South is a member of Region II (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky. Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio South, Ohio North, South Dakota and Wisconsin).
The camps are designed to provide high level training for participating players. During the training and competition, players who are capable of performing at a higher level of play are identified for possible National team camp, pool or team participation. Back to top
What is a National Camp?
National camps and Inter-Regional 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 age group National Pool or on the age group National Team. Back to top
What are the ODP Hotline Numbers and when should I use them?
Cincinnati Hotline number is 513-333-5730
Dayton Hotline number is 937-285-0008
Columbus Hotline number is 614-470-3949
Please note that you should always call your local hotline. Once the Festival weekend and State Pool sessions begin, where everyone is in one central location, you may still call your local hotline. We will update all hotline numbers so that a player/family does not have to call long distance. You should always call the hotline before traveling to ODP even if the weather is not bad. Changes or cancellations can be made at any time and will save you some frustration if you get to a site and find out there is no training that day. Please note the hotline is only a recording. If there is not current information on the recording, it means that there have not been any changes to the schedule. back to top
What are the fees associated with ODP?
1997 – 2001 Birth Years
· Early Registration opens on August 29th
· The early registration fee for ODP is $120.00 (Phase 1). There are no fees associated with Phase 2. After October 14th the standard registration fee is $150.00. Fee covers registration, six district training sessions (outdoor and indoor) and t-shirt
· Onsite Registration is $160.00. Please note that any player that registers on site is not guaranteed an ODP t-shirt
· For those selected to their District team, the Festival tournament is also included
· For those selected to the State Pool (Phase 3), the early State Pool training fee is $75.00. After May 1st, the standard State Pool fee is $95.00. This includes all State Pool training sessions
· If a player is selected to Regional Camp (Phase 4), the camp fee is estimated to be anywhere from $550-$750 (depending on number of days at camp). This includes Regional Camp fees, bus transportation to and from camp, housing, meals while at camp, uniform (if required by Region II), a training Shirt(s) and a pair of shorts
1995 and 1996 Birth Years
· Early Registration opens on January 9th
· The early registration fee for ODP is $60.00 (Phase 2). After March 5th the standard registration fee is $80.00. Fee covers registration, three district training sessions and t-shirt
· Onsite Registration is $90.00. Please note that any player that registers on site is not guaranteed an ODP t-shirt
· If a player is invited to Regional Camp (Phase 4), the camp fee has yet to be determined. More information to follow in October. back to top
What if I cannot attend an ODP session?
If you cannot attend an ODP session, you must fill out the notification of absence form on the ODP page of the Ohio South website. Players will be evaluated based on the sessions that they do attend. If a player makes one of the four district sessions, then they will be evaluated based on how they perform during that one session. The more sessions that a player attends, the better chance the staff will have to see and evaluate that player. back to top
What if I am injured during a step of the process (ie Fall districts, State Pool, etc) and can attend none of the training during that period?
Players who are injured need to call or email the Ohio South office directly at 513-576-9555 or office@osysa.com. We will need a doctor’s note mailed or faxed to our office before the training begins. Gordon Henderson, Director of Coaching, will make a determination if you are able to participate in the ODP cycle for that year. back to top
There are no evaluations for Phase 1 or Phase 2. All players will receive an evaluation if they are selected for the State Pool (Phase 3). If a player voluntarily quits the program or does not show for required training sessions, he/she will not receive an evaluation. back to top
I reside in a state other than Ohio. Can I attend ODP in Ohio South?
Players who have their player card through Ohio South but reside in a state other than Ohio South are welcome to attend ODP training and can be selected for Regional Camp. Players must receive permission of their home State Director of Coaching and the Ohio South Director of Coaching - Gordon Henderson during the registration process. back to top
I am a 2001 player. Can I participate in ODP?
Yes, this is an age group at the district level only. It's purpose is to help prepare players for the ODP environment they will encounter the following year. This age group will have no selections and will not travel or attend Regional camp. back to top
I am a player who plays up but I am younger than the 2001 birth year. Can I still participate in the ODP Program?
No, we do not allow players younger than 2001 birth year to participate this year under any circumstances. back to top
I cannot attend the session for my age group. Can I train with another age group?
No, we do not allow players to train with any other group under any circumstances.
Should my daughter or son get involved?
Yes, ODP is a great way for players to do a self evaluation as well as meet new players and learn from different coaches. back to top
What will my player get out of ODP?
ODP is an additional optional program to a soccer player’s current soccer team. ODP’s goals are to train and identify players in a non-competitive environment where players can experiment and fail without retribution. This environment will potentially help players gain confidence and help elevate their game to the next level. back to top
Players are selected based on the following criteria:
Technique
Tactical Understanding of the Game
Fitness and Athletic Ability
Attitude
Coaches can get involved by going to the osysa.com website, then to the ODP coaches section from the ODP dropdown. This form is called “Coach and Evaluator Application”. The form is fillable - just save your information and e-mail completed form to Gordon Henderon at; henderson@osysa.com
2011 - 2012 Coach and Evaluator Application
back to top
Where do the ODP coaches come from?
Coaches come from within the State Association’s clubs and leagues, colleges and high schools.
Will ODP help my child get a scholarship?
There are NO GUARANTEES with anything in life and a sport is one of those. Being a part of ODP and having it on your resume no matter how far you progress shows a college coach that you are willing to take chances and take yourself out of your comfort zone. College coaches see this as a MAJOR plus. back to top
Do college coaches know about ODP?
YES, YES, YES… College coaches are on Ohio South’s ODP Staff as well as make guest clinician appearances multiple times throughout the year.
