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
![](https://ohio-soccer.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/USYS_ODP_Ohio_1C_Wht.png)
FICTION
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.
![](https://ohio-soccer.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/USYS_ODP_Ohio_1C_Wht.png)
FACT
One of the best aspects of ODP is how participating promotes learning by providing players new and different challenges.
![](https://ohio-soccer.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/USYS_ODP_Ohio_1C_Wht.png)
FICTION
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
![](https://ohio-soccer.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/048A3051-1024x694.jpg)
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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
![](https://ohio-soccer.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/048A3574-1024x711.jpg)
![](https://ohio-soccer.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/048A4174-1024x618.jpg)
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
![](https://ohio-soccer.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/048A5486-1024x683.jpg)
An Exciting Time for ODP
by Ohio Soccer Moms & Dads
![](https://ohio-soccer.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/048A4090-min-1024x615.jpg)
USYS Alumni
by US Youth Soccer
![](https://ohio-soccer.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/ODP_1.11-min-1024x576.png)
ODP National Teams to Compete at Major Tournaments in 2023
by US Youth Soccer
What Parents Are Saying
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“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
![](https://ohio-soccer.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/rose-lavelle-uswnt-1024x576.jpg)