ODP

[Anonymous]

So, our middle school DD made it into the state ODP Pool this year, which was her first time. Here's what we've noticed after chatting with her:

**Not So Great Stuff:**
- The district level was meh. 70+ players meant practices felt more like scrimmages, and this lasted 2-3 months.
- The very long drive to Fredericksburg just added to our hectic schedule.

**The Good Stuff:**
- Surprisingly, it didn't feel pay-to-play. Some top club players and teammates didn't make the various cuts, so DD felt lucky to make the teams.
- At the state level, things got better. Pool whittled down to 40ish. Each player gets feedback, and with fewer players, practices were more focused.
- We liked how they push for independence. Parents are pretty hands-off during tournaments. You drop off kid and don't see them again really till pickup after the multi-day tournament. There's a dress code for travel and team meals, each player is accountable for themselves and their roommates. Will say this was unique to Virginia. We had friends playing from other states and they didn't have the same standards. Their parents were in charge of getting the kid to the game and taking them from place to place.
- DD was super excited for the overnight hotel experience without parents for the two big state tournaments so far. She loved everything about those experiences.
- She's made friends all over the state through ODP, which is cool. We recently went to a non-soccer middle school event and DD saw some of her new besties out there.
- Meeting different coaches and players from other leagues has been eye-opening. Player squad this year had representation from UNION/ECNL/EDP/NCWL.
- Select players had the opportunity to play in Portugal. Price tag was around 3-3.5K

Overall, DD's had a blast with the state team, especially hanging out with her roommates. We're cool with supporting her, but whether she does it again next year is up in the air.

All in all, the state-level experience has been a hit for DD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, our middle school DD made it into the state ODP Pool this year, which was her first time. Here's what we've noticed after chatting with her:

**Not So Great Stuff:**
- The district level was meh. 70+ players meant practices felt more like scrimmages, and this lasted 2-3 months.
- The very long drive to Fredericksburg just added to our hectic schedule.

**The Good Stuff:**
- Surprisingly, it didn't feel pay-to-play. Some top club players and teammates didn't make the various cuts, so DD felt lucky to make the teams.
- At the state level, things got better. Pool whittled down to 40ish. Each player gets feedback, and with fewer players, practices were more focused.
- We liked how they push for independence. Parents are pretty hands-off during tournaments. You drop off kid and don't see them again really till pickup after the multi-day tournament. There's a dress code for travel and team meals, each player is accountable for themselves and their roommates. Will say this was unique to Virginia. We had friends playing from other states and they didn't have the same standards. Their parents were in charge of getting the kid to the game and taking them from place to place.
- DD was super excited for the overnight hotel experience without parents for the two big state tournaments so far. She loved everything about those experiences.
- She's made friends all over the state through ODP, which is cool. We recently went to a non-soccer middle school event and DD saw some of her new besties out there.
- Meeting different coaches and players from other leagues has been eye-opening. Player squad this year had representation from UNION/ECNL/EDP/NCWL.
- Select players had the opportunity to play in Portugal. Price tag was around 3-3.5K

Overall, DD's had a blast with the state team, especially hanging out with her roommates. We're cool with supporting her, but whether she does it again next year is up in the air.

All in all, the state-level experience has been a hit for DD.

Thanks for the helpful summary!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, our middle school DD made it into the state ODP Pool this year, which was her first time. Here's what we've noticed after chatting with her:

**Not So Great Stuff:**
- The district level was meh. 70+ players meant practices felt more like scrimmages, and this lasted 2-3 months.
- The very long drive to Fredericksburg just added to our hectic schedule.

**The Good Stuff:**
- Surprisingly, it didn't feel pay-to-play. Some top club players and teammates didn't make the various cuts, so DD felt lucky to make the teams.
- At the state level, things got better. Pool whittled down to 40ish. Each player gets feedback, and with fewer players, practices were more focused.
- We liked how they push for independence. Parents are pretty hands-off during tournaments. You drop off kid and don't see them again really till pickup after the multi-day tournament. There's a dress code for travel and team meals, each player is accountable for themselves and their roommates. Will say this was unique to Virginia. We had friends playing from other states and they didn't have the same standards. Their parents were in charge of getting the kid to the game and taking them from place to place.
- DD was super excited for the overnight hotel experience without parents for the two big state tournaments so far. She loved everything about those experiences.
- She's made friends all over the state through ODP, which is cool. We recently went to a non-soccer middle school event and DD saw some of her new besties out there.
- Meeting different coaches and players from other leagues has been eye-opening. Player squad this year had representation from UNION/ECNL/EDP/NCWL.
- Select players had the opportunity to play in Portugal. Price tag was around 3-3.5K

Overall, DD's had a blast with the state team, especially hanging out with her roommates. We're cool with supporting her, but whether she does it again next year is up in the air.

All in all, the state-level experience has been a hit for DD.

did she get the nod to go compete up north? Thats when u see the competition get better. Not to say nc/ga is a walk in the park but that last hop to compete to represent the east is chock full of talent. They generally overlook va players for those selections… & then va players drop and talent gets watered down locally*

Really good thing about odp is that ur kids get some different looks and the opportunity to stick w them. Forwards might find themselves playing defense and vice versa.. And parents cant influence the coaching because of they are made up of competing clubs. (*Another reason kids drop because entitled parents have to check it at the door…. And some drop due to local competition and no opportunities to cheat/influence the system… keep that in mind when u read the negatives… kiddos probably didn’t show enough to coaches for playtime etc ).

[Anonymous]

"did she get the nod to go compete up north?"

They are not there yet as far as selections but don't think DD will be selected to move on from here.

We have friends who made the boys and girls national team and competed in Vegas. They said that was a cool experience playing some of the best teams around.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"did she get the nod to go compete up north?"

They are not there yet as far as selections but don't think DD will be selected to move on from here.

We have friends who made the boys and girls national team and competed in Vegas. They said that was a cool experience playing some of the best teams around.

yea… that competition seems to be ecnl and top ga player heavy. Watching the HS age kids go at it looked ecnl speed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"did she get the nod to go compete up north?"

They are not there yet as far as selections but don't think DD will be selected to move on from here.

We have friends who made the boys and girls national team and competed in Vegas. They said that was a cool experience playing some of the best teams around.

Virginia has posted their teams on the ODP website.

[Anonymous]

I only see the East Region Tournament roster, which is the same as the other tourneys. Think the next cuts happen after that?

[Anonymous]

-Does anyone know which colleges are represented at the Boys ODP regional tournament/showcase? Nothing seems to be posted about the upcoming event, so any info about previous years/general information would be appreciated.

Thanks so much in advance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
-Does anyone know which colleges are represented at the Boys ODP regional tournament/showcase? Nothing seems to be posted about the upcoming event, so any info about previous years/general information would be appreciated.

Thanks so much in advance.

Sorry - I should have indicated that I am particularly interested to know this about the Eastern region.

[Anonymous]

does everyone make ODP or is it selective ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:does everyone make ODP or is it selective ?

Selective- In VA's case we saw 110+ at initial tryouts with 70+ selections for districts. Then that whittled to 40ish for State, Regions next after the tourneys in June. Then National after that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I only see the East Region Tournament roster, which is the same as the other tourneys. Think the next cuts happen after that?

The NC and VA friendlies had different rosters. As does the roster for the East Region Tournament.

In general the teams were split evenly talent wise for the NC Friendlies. For the VA Friendlies, Team 1 was stronger.

[Anonymous]

Please shut down this worthless program. ODP in Virginia is like 3-4 levels down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:does everyone make ODP or is it selective ?

Pretty much everyone does. It was a great honor maybe a decade ago, but the talent isn’t there anymore. The comments here speak to this.

[Anonymous]

VA ODP = Supplemental low level pay to play.