ODP

[cmsmeade]

Any thoughts on ODP tryout/selection process?

[Size5Balls]

Most any kid who has played competitive soccer, at any level recently, will make the district team. The state team will be kids that play first team soccer on a reasonably good club team (think ECNL-R/EDP level) along with some of the better second team players. Little to no ECNL or MLSNext level players do ODP anymore, so you don't have to worry about them. The selection process is pretty straight forward. If you are one of the top 30-40% of kids in your district, you will go to state. Most kids I saw at state level could actually play the game. I'm not saying they were all good players by any means, but looked like a fair representation of talent that knew what was going on at least. The regional selection process seemed a little more political and not sure it was the best representation of talent that I saw there. Seemed like PA had way more players than any other state. Would I do it again? Probably not. Do I have any regrets for doing it? Not really. The training was good and I thought that was the real benefit of the program. One day a week in the winter off season mostly. Playing against kids you don't normally see. The main issue now is the best kids don't do ODP, so it's not an elite level by any means. There are some good players in it though, so it is competitive to a certain extent.

[MadridFan]

Size5Balls wrote:Most any kid who has played competitive soccer, at any level recently, will make the district team. The state team will be kids that play first team soccer on a reasonably good club team (think ECNL-R/EDP level) along with some of the better second team players. Little to no ECNL or MLSNext level players do ODP anymore, so you don't have to worry about them. The selection process is pretty straight forward. If you are one of the top 30-40% of kids in your district, you will go to state. Most kids I saw at state level could actually play the game. I'm not saying they were all good players by any means, but looked like a fair representation of talent that knew what was going on at least. The regional selection process seemed a little more political and not sure it was the best representation of talent that I saw there. Seemed like PA had way more players than any other state. Would I do it again? Probably not. Do I have any regrets for doing it? Not really. The training was good and I thought that was the real benefit of the program. One day a week in the winter off season mostly. Playing against kids you don't normally see. The main issue now is the best kids don't do ODP, so it's not an elite level by any means. There are some good players in it though, so it is competitive to a certain extent.

Good synopsis, I would add that ODP exposes players to multiple high level coaches too.

[cmsmeade]

Thanks! My DS is U14 - this is his first year trying out. He is a GK and I think there were 8 at tryouts so not great odds! He was "called back" for the first practice.

[Nova2Euro]

The descriptions listed above are accurate, including the advantages of participating in ODP.

I don't know whether we can call them complete, however, without mentioning the cost. Each phase, starting from the district tryout, will have a fee associated with it. So will each event, such as tournaments, summer camp, and the Europe trip they used to do. When my kids did ODP, it was at least $500 every time you got an email from them. Probably more now.

[Bestdaysyet]

I've been asked several times by parents about ODP due to the fact we have done it pre and post DA. Before the DA, it was the program all the top players attended which resulted in some really good training. My youngest tried it 4 years and we quit after making states. The talent level was very low and although he really shined, it just wasn't worth the time or money. The program really does need to be overhauled to reflect the soccer landscape of today. You will not be scouted by anyone, you will not magically become Messi, most kids are 2-3 level team players, and coaching is the same as you get in any mid to high level club. In fact, my son's coach was the 2nd team coach from his club which we thought was a step down.

If you have the funds and time, join it for what it is which is additional training. But I would rather hire a personal coach instead if I really wanted my kid to get better.

[ECNLDD]

Bestdaysyet wrote:I've been asked several times by parents about ODP due to the fact we have done it pre and post DA. Before the DA, it was the program all the top players attended which resulted in some really good training. My youngest tried it 4 years and we quit after making states. The talent level was very low and although he really shined, it just wasn't worth the time or money. The program really does need to be overhauled to reflect the soccer landscape of today. You will not be scouted by anyone, you will not magically become Messi, most kids are 2-3 level team players, and coaching is the same as you get in any mid to high level club. In fact, my son's coach was the 2nd team coach from his club which we thought was a step down.

If you have the funds and time, join it for what it is which is additional training. But I would rather hire a personal coach instead if I really wanted my kid to get better.

This is correct. There is a prestige factor with making the state or regional team, but if you are top level talent focus on your ECNL or GA showcases and tournaments!

[Youalwayswalkalone7]

Not worth it imo. Cost plus time on the ball is a huge negative. At least not in our area for my DD’s age group. I believe the cost came out to like $45 a session. None of the top team players did it. Not a single one. Instead the girls got together and played pickup for free. Can’t beat casual, fun game play with high level players just enjoying the game and being creative.

[ECNLDD]

Youalwayswalkalone7 wrote:Not worth it imo. Cost plus time on the ball is a huge negative. At least not in our area for my DD’s age group. I believe the cost came out to like $45 a session. None of the top team players did it. Not a single one. Instead the girls got together and played pickup for free. Can’t beat casual, fun game play with high level players just enjoying the game and being creative.

I hear what you are saying, but, just another avenue for the players to get identified, extra touches, new coaches, different players, etc.

Not every "top" player will do ODP, but there are some and it's organized. The elite will always be identified regardless of what you do, but talking about the other 10% of ""elite" it can help. Mid-tier Ecnl players for sure!

[Youalwayswalkalone7]

Yea I think you’re better off kicking the ball against the wall (which is actually extremely good training) then paying $45 a sesh for weak players to lower your standards or drive any kind of distance to then play with those weaker players when you could be touching a soccer ball. Drive time vs time on the ball. If you have to drive an hour to training (2 hours total…some prolly drive more) then play with weak players. Yikes.

[JeeperKeeper]

Anyone ever done it in Maryland? Their tryouts are currently underway

[Size5Balls]

FPYCparent wrote:Did the VYSA ODP participants list shrink significantly?

There were 60 selections made in the 2008 Girls group for 2021, but it seems that only four were selected for 2022. Am I reading this correctly? Is that a fair apples-to-apples claim?

2021: https://www.soccerwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2021-girls-state-pool-list.pdf

2022: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yV5MzjI8J7bfaAtxLOE2JzMDzeIuZKxXt7jUXF35ZZE/edit

The first list is the state pool. The second list is the regional pool

[runrmom]

I have been very surprised at the quality of play during tryouts considering the comments on this thread. Fast, skilled, above age skills, lots of mature communication. I am not at all sure that there is no ECNL in here. Kids are very, very good.

[MadridFan]

ODP worked out great for our player. The NoVa regional team training was pretty good and it gave him one additional training session each week, but mostly it motivated him. He wanted to make the State team, so he work hard and put in the extra time outside of club and ODP training. Then once he made the State team, he wanted to get an invitation to the Regional Camp and a chance to make the Region 1 team.

All in all, it was a very good experience for our us and our player. He was exposed to new and different coaches and other motivated players and it helped him to progress to playing at a higher level.

[Anonymous]

As we start thinking about fall tryouts, would love to hear from others regarding recent experience with ODP. Thanks.