One question we hear a lot is ‘Should my child do ODP?’
While that decision is ultimately up to you, here’s some information and resources at your disposal.
Fact or Fiction
FICTION
ODP is only for the top players on a team or in a club.
It's true that ODP identifies and promotes talented players along the ODP Player Pathway, but the Phase I District Training and the Phase II District Festival provide everyone an equal 'Opportunity to Develop as a Player' and showcase themselves.
FACT
At ODP sessions, players may be asked to play a different position than they normally play with their club.
One of the best aspects of ODP is how participating promotes learning by providing players new and different challenges.
FICTION
If I have a scheduling conflict for a weekend of Phase I District Training, I shouldn't register.
Players are encouraged to attend as many sessions as possible, but players are not penalized for missing sessions. Players are evaluated at each session he/she attends.
Player Benefits
2013 & 2014 (U10 & U9’s)
- Introduction to U.S. Soccer Player Development Initiatives (PDI’s) including:
- Emphasis on developing skills and abilities
- Placing players in the best possible environment to succeed (appropriately challenged for skill level)
- Working with multiple ODP coaches on individual development
- Having fun
- Small-sided games that improve skill with the ball, including increased confidence and comfort when in/out of possession as well as faster decision making
- Introduction to the Olympic Development Program
- Exposure to player field positions and the U.S. Soccer numbering system
- Playing and forming relationships with other athletes from your local district
- Providing an age-appropriate environment with other athletes of the same age and skill level
- Exposure to new coaches, new coaching styles, and new ways to think about the game
- Low pressure environment
2011 & 2012 (U12 & U11’s)
- Learning by playing the game more (i.e. full scrimmages instead of small-sided games)
- Reinforced learning of the U.S. Soccer PDI’s
- Reinforced learning of player field positions and the U.S. Soccer numbering system
- Provides an age-appropriate environment with other athletes of the same age and skill level, often resulting in the split of an age group into older/younger to maintain a healthy playing environment
- Exposure to new coaches, new coaching styles, and new ways to think about the game based coaching model
- Low pressure environment where the emphasis remains on having fun
- First opportunity to advance to a state-wide pool of players and face competition from other states
2008 – 2010 (U15 – U13’s)
- Positionally-based training
- Emphasis on player field positions and the U.S. Soccer numbering system while maintaining a fun and game-like environment
- Provides an age-appropriate environment with other athletes of the same age and skill level, often resulting in the split of an age group into older/younger to maintain a healthy playing environment
- Exposure to new coaches, new coaching styles, and new ways to think about the game based coaching model
- Train with and compete against same age competition from your local district and the state
- Opportunity to build relationships with fellow athletes and our ODP coaching staff
- Opportunity to advance to a state-wide pool of players, face competition from other states
- Opportunity to advance to a regional pool of players (Midwest), compete and train with high-skill players from the region
- Opportunity to advance to a national pool of players, compete and train with high-skill players from the nation
- Exposure to college and professional academy coaches.
2006 – 2007 (U17 – U16’s)
- Positionally-based training
- Emphasis on player field positions and the U.S. Soccer numbering system while maintaining a fun and game-like environment
- Provides an age-appropriate environment with other athletes of the same age and skill level
- Exposure to new coaches and new ways to think about the game
- Train with and compete against same age competition from your local district and the state
- Opportunity to build relationships with fellow athletes and our ODP coaching staff
- Opportunity to advance to a state-wide pool of players, face competition from other states
- Opportunity to advance to a regional pool of players (Midwest), compete and train with high-skill players from the region
- Opportunity to advance to a national pool of players, compete and train with high-skill players from the nation
- Exposure to college and professional academy coaches
Alumni
ODP has a rich network of alumni, many of whom have gone on to play in college and/or professionally! Here are some of the ones who’ve come before from Ohio…
- Rose Lavelle
- Malia Berkely
- Tori Huster
- Austin Barry
- Jack Berding
- Aubrey Kingsbury (Bledsoe)
- Bayley Feist
- Katie Murray
- Madison Baumgardner
- Maddie Drexelius
- Heather Mitts
- Tahnai Annis
Reads
An Exciting Time for ODP
by Ohio Soccer Moms & Dads
USYS Alumni
by US Youth Soccer
ODP National Teams to Compete at Major Tournaments in 2023
by US Youth Soccer
What Parents Are Saying
“I did US Youth Soccer ODP for about seven years, and I always say that I think if I didn’t do it, I would not be where I am at today. I think it helped me so much. When I went to Boca Raton for the interregional, that’s where I got noticed. If I wasn’t doing ODP, I probably wouldn’t even be with the National Team at this point.”
Rose Lavelle, U.S. Soccer Women’s National Team & Ohio ODP alum
