ODP FAQ | Ohio

Is the training specific to just field players?

No. During the first 45 minutes of each training session, any player wishing to train as a GK will report to the GK training area. Here they will work with the ODP GK staff for 45-55 minutes. Afterwards they will return to their respective age groups and be incorporated into the training session.

Why has ODP changed so significantly from years past?

U.S. Soccer Player Development Initiatives

In August 2015, U.S. Soccer released the beginning of new Player Development Initiatives. These include a standardization of small sided games (4v4, 7v7 and 9v9), regulated field sizes for age groups, enhanced curriculum development for coaches and a movement to clear guidelines (including defined player roles & responsibilities) for youth players. The new ODP model will reflect these initiatives in order to bring our players the most current guidelines influencing our top players.

Phase I: District Training

2006 – 2012 Birth Years Only

There are 6 total training dates in Phase 1 (ODP District Training)
Six training dates are in November (Outdoors). These are held in three separate locations in Cincinnati, Dayton and Columbus
After Phase 1 is completed in November, 2006 – 2010 District Teams are selected and players invited back for Phase 2. District selections will be posted on the OSYSA website and players notified in December
In addition, all 2011 & 2012 age group players will be involved in their own event in Phase 2. This will give the players a 'taste' of what to expect the following years when selections occur

Phase I: State Pool Tryouts

2003 - 2005 Birth Years Only

There are 5 total training dates in Phase 1 (ODP State Pool Tryouts)
Four training dates are in November (Outdoors) and a fifth training date in April (During the district festival). These will be held at the District 2 training location
After the District Festival is completed in April, 2003 - 2005 State Pools are selected and players invited back for Phase 3. State Pool selections will be posted on the OSYSA website and players notified in April
Note - there is no Phase 2 for these two age groups. 2003 - 2005 age groups are selected straight into Phase 3 (ODP State Pool Training)

Phase II: ODP District Festival

2006 – 2012 Birth Years Only

Those players selected to represent their district (2006 - 2010 birth years) will compete in the District Festival. This is a one day tournament in early April.
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 by the end of April
In addition, 2011 & 2012 birth year players will be involved in their own event at the Festival. All players will be 'scrambled' on teams playing against each other. This gives the players extra training and an experience of the event for next year. This event will mark the conclusion for the year for the 2011 & 2012 age groups

Phase III: State Pool Training

2003 – 2010 birth years only

There are 7 scheduled training sessions for each State Pool. All training sessions will be in the month of June. The schedule is usually Wednesday and Saturday sessions
There are 16 State Pool groups (see table below)

Boys

Girls

2003

Pool of 22 - 32 players

(18 players usually attend Sub-Regional Event)

2004

Pool of 22 - 32 players

(18 players usually attend Sub-Regional Event)

2005

Pool of 22 - 32 players

(18 players usually attend Sub-Regional Event)

2006

Pool of 22 - 32 players

(18 players usually attend Sub-Regional Event)

2007 Older

Pool of 22 - 32 players

(18 players usually attend Sub-Regional Event)

2007 Younger

Pool of 22 - 32 players

(18 players usually attend Sub-Regional Event)

2008 Older

Pool of 22 - 32 players

(18 players usually attend Sub-Regional Event)

2008 Younger

Pool of 22 - 32 players

(18 players usually attend Sub-Regional Event)

2009 Older

Pool of 18 - 22 players

(14 players usually attend Sub-Regional Event)

2009 Younger

Pool of 18 - 22 players

(14 players usually attend Sub-Regional Event)

2010 Older

Pool of 18-22 players

(14 players usually attend Sub-Regional Event)

2010 Younger

Pool of 18-22 players

(14 players usually attend Sub-Regional Event)

2003

Pool of 22 - 32 players

(18 players usually attend Sub-Regional Event)

2004

Pool of 22 - 32 players

(18 players usually attend Sub-Regional Event)

2005

Pool of 22 - 32 players

(18 players usually attend Sub-Regional Event)

2006

Pool of 22 - 32 players

(18 players usually attend Sub-Regional Event)

2007 Older

Pool of 22 - 32 players

(18 players usually attend Sub-Regional Event)

2007 Younger

Pool of 22 - 32 players

(18 players usually attend Sub-Regional Event)

2008 Older

Pool of 22 - 32 players

(18 players usually attend Sub-Regional Event)

2008 Younger

Pool of 22-32 players

(18 players usually attend Sub- Regional Event

2009 Older

Pool of 18-22 players

(14 players usually attend Sub-Regional Event)

2009 Younger

Pool of 18-22 players

(14 players usually attend Sub-Regional Event)

2010 Older

Pool of 18-22 players

(14 players ususally attend Su-Regional Event)

2010 Younger

Pool of 18-22 players

(14 players usually attend Sub-Regional Event)

Older State Pools consist of January through June birth months
Younger State team Pools consist of July through December birth months
In mid/late June, players selected to the State Teams attending the Sub-Regional Event are announced. State Team selections will be posted on the OSYSA website and players notified
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 the Sub-Regional Event. Every year, players withdraw due to family emergencies, injuries or other situations that impact their ability to attend the Sub-Regional event. At that time, alternates will be offered a position on the State Team
State Teams attend the Sub-Regional Event in late June

Phase IV: Midwest ODP Invitational

2003 – 2010 Birth Years Only

Girls & Boys Sub-Regional event is scheduled to be in Westfield, IN. The schedule will be posted in mid-June, 2021

Phase V: Midwest Region ODP Elite ID Camp

2003 – 2008 Birth Years Only

All players selected for this event will be invited directly by the Regional staff
Players will be selected based upon prior performances in Phase 1 - 3 ODP training, Phase 4 ODP Challenge Cup and prior year Regional Pool/Team training

How are the ODP age groups determined?

ODP age groups are determined by birth year. Therefore, all 2003 birth year players will be grouped together, all 2004 birth year players will be grouped together, etc. If there are two teams that will be attending the Sub-Regional Event for a birth year, some age groups will be split up as the first 6 months of the year (Older), and the second 6 months of the year (Younger). This sometimes happens in the younger ODP age groups due to the varying growth rates of the players.

What is the Midwest Region Elite ID Camp?

National camps and Inter-Regional events are held throughout the year at various locations in the United States. The Regional 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 Regional Team events.

All players selected for this event will be invited directly by the Regional staff
Players will be selected based upon prior performances in Phase 1 - 3 ODP Training, Phase 4 Sub-Regional Event and prior year Regional Pool training/Regional Team events

What are the fees associated with ODP?

2006 – 2012 Birth Years

Early Registration opens in September
The early registration fee for ODP is $155.00 (Phase 1 and 2). After October 8th, the standard registration fee is $185.00. Fee covers registration, six district training sessions and t-shirt
Onsite Registration is $195.00. Please note that any player who registers on site is not guaranteed an ODP t-shirt
For those selected to their District team, the Phase 2 Festival tournament is also included with their registration fee
For those selected to the State Pool (Phase 3), the early State Pool training fee is $145.00. After May 7th, the standard State Pool training fee is $170.00. This includes all State Pool training sessions
The fees for the Phase 4 Sub-Regional event and Phase 5 Region II Elite ID camp are as published

2003 & 2004 Birth Years

Early Registration opens in September
The early registration fee for ODP is $100.00 (Phase 1). After October 1st, the standard registration fee is $140.00. Fee covers registration, four state pool tryout sessions and t-shirt
Onsite Registration is $150.00. Please note that any player who registers on site is not guaranteed an ODP t-shirt
For those selected to the State Pool (Phase 3), the early State Pool training fee is $145.00. After May 7th, the standard State Pool training fee is $170.00. This includes all State Pool training sessions
The fees for the Phase 4 Sub-Regional event and Phase 5 Region II Elite ID camp are as published

What if I cannot attend an ODP session? Will this be negatively held against a player?

The easy answer is "No". We understand that players are going to have commitments (soccer tournaments, family activities, school obligations) that may prevent them from attending a session. Missing a session will not be held against a player. Players will be evaluated based on the sessions that they do attend. For example, if a player makes one of the six sessions, then they will be evaluated based on how they perform during that one session. The more sessions that a player attends, the more opportunities the staff will have to see and evaluate that player.

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 and cannot participate in the ODP process further, 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. Bill Glaze, Director of Coaching, will make a determination if you are able to participate in the ODP cycle for that year.

We do not require to be notified if you simply cannot make any of the training sessions. You will be evaluated on the sessions you attend.

Do I receive an evaluation?

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 continue with ODP (after announcement of the State Team), he/she will not receive an evaluation.

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 the Sub-Regional event. Players must receive permission from both their home State Director of Coaching and the Ohio South Director of Coaching - Bill Glaze during the registration process.

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 unless under specific instructions from the Regional or National staff.

How are players selected?

Players are selected based on the following criteria:

Technique
Tactical Understanding of the Game
Fitness and Athletic Ability
Attitude

How do coaches get involved?

Coaches can get involved by going to the osysa.com website, then to the ODP coaches section from the ODP dropdown.

Where do the ODP coaches come from?

Coaches come from within the State Association’s clubs and leagues, colleges and high schools.

In addition, coaches from the Professional ranks - Major League Soccer (MLS), United Soccer League (USL) and National Womens Soccer League (NWSL) are also involved in a variety of the ODP Phases.

Do college coaches know about ODP?

YES, YES, YES… College coaches are on Ohio South’s ODP Staff, Regional Staff and National Staff..... as well as make guest clinician appearances multiple times throughout the year.