Travel Soccer teams around NOVA let's discuss

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PAC in Falls Church still hasn't finished forming their teams for the next year - try-outs are on-going.

Which age groups? I think two of the lowest three are pretty well set.

Maybe Great Falls? That was the suggestion for some kids left stranded when Bethesda South didn't give enough players for a couple of age groups.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PAC in Falls Church still hasn't finished forming their teams for the next year - try-outs are on-going.

Which age groups? I think two of the lowest three are pretty well set.

Maybe Great Falls? That was the suggestion for some kids left stranded when Bethesda South didn't give enough players for a couple of age groups.

What happened with Great Falls and Bethesda South? Who got stranded and why?

[Anonymous]

My suspicion is that the 2003 and 2004 teams at Bethesda South may be in need of players....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My suspicion is that the 2003 and 2004 teams at Bethesda South may be in need of players....

I think they would of had a better draw of players if they remained training in Annandale.

Great Falls is too far for most kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My suspicion is that the 2003 and 2004 teams at Bethesda South may be in need of players....

I think they would of had a better draw of players if they remained training in Annandale.

Great Falls is too far for most kids.

I agree. I thought only the younger ones were at GF, though? 2005/6s. Are the 2003/4 there, too?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My suspicion is that the 2003 and 2004 teams at Bethesda South may be in need of players....

I think they would of had a better draw of players if they remained training in Annandale.

Great Falls is too far for most kids.

I agree. I thought only the younger ones were at GF, though? 2005/6s. Are the 2003/4 there, too?

05/06 would have trained in Great Falls/utterback RD. An absolute killer commute for anyone inside the beltway.

[Anonymous]

ODP tryouts are coming up. Any opinions on whether or not this training is worth it? To the best of my knowledge, the tryouts are held in Fredericksburg for all ages groups. The youngest age group is birth year 2007. Tryouts cost $30 for 2007-2005 and $50 for older kids. After being accepted into the training program (I heard they try to accept everyone), there are three training locations throughout NoVa. One is in Ashburn (Evergreen), one is in Arlington, and the other is in Fairfax county that has yet to be determined. Am I missing anything?

[Anonymous]

I think the training is worth it. $30 for the "tryout" seems a bit much and then having to go to Fredericksburg as well is no fun. I'm sure they could have found closer locations nearby available on a weekend during the 1st weekend of August.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ODP tryouts are coming up. Any opinions on whether or not this training is worth it? To the best of my knowledge, the tryouts are held in Fredericksburg for all ages groups. The youngest age group is birth year 2007. Tryouts cost $30 for 2007-2005 and $50 for older kids. After being accepted into the training program (I heard they try to accept everyone), there are three training locations throughout NoVa. One is in Ashburn (Evergreen), one is in Arlington, and the other is in Fairfax county that has yet to be determined. Am I missing anything?

This isn't ODP, but rather ODP academy. Not worth it at all. Primary function is to make $$ for the trainers. The only people who participate are ego-driven soccer parents who want to be able to claim that their kids "play ODP" or that are trying to get in good with the ODP trainers for the ODP teams down the road. We couldn't stand it when we tried it. You are better off playing pickup or street ball with neighborhood kids. Save the money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ODP tryouts are coming up. Any opinions on whether or not this training is worth it? To the best of my knowledge, the tryouts are held in Fredericksburg for all ages groups. The youngest age group is birth year 2007. Tryouts cost $30 for 2007-2005 and $50 for older kids. After being accepted into the training program (I heard they try to accept everyone), there are three training locations throughout NoVa. One is in Ashburn (Evergreen), one is in Arlington, and the other is in Fairfax county that has yet to be determined. Am I missing anything?

This isn't ODP, but rather ODP academy. Not worth it at all. Primary function is to make $$ for the trainers. The only people who participate are ego-driven soccer parents who want to be able to claim that their kids "play ODP" or that are trying to get in good with the ODP trainers for the ODP teams down the road. We couldn't stand it when we tried it. You are better off playing pickup or street ball with neighborhood kids. Save the money.

There are tryouts for both ODP and the new Developmental ODP, or D-ODP. Because it's new, my child has not done the D-ODP but I suggest you evaluate it like any other extra training session. Personally, I think any motivated kid should do one extra training session outside of hes/her club each season both to get a different perspective and yes, to separate from his teammates. So for D-ODP, figure out if the training time and location is convenient to you, and how the price compares and then make your choice. Based on our experience with ODP, the trainers for the most are very good and it gives your chikd a chance to interact with coaches and players outside his club, which will be beneficial if he wants to move teams as he gets older.

To me, ODP is another path for good players to get some recognition and add some accomplishments to their resume. If your child is on a top team playing in top flights at the major tournaments, you may not need ODP. But for others, especially the top players on lesser teams, it's a way to test yourself against other top players. At the Northern district tryouts, I'd said about half the players made it to the district training, and since it's just based on a 2 day tryout, some players who shouldn't make will slip through. All things considered, Ww think it's worth doing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ODP tryouts are coming up. Any opinions on whether or not this training is worth it? To the best of my knowledge, the tryouts are held in Fredericksburg for all ages groups. The youngest age group is birth year 2007. Tryouts cost $30 for 2007-2005 and $50 for older kids. After being accepted into the training program (I heard they try to accept everyone), there are three training locations throughout NoVa. One is in Ashburn (Evergreen), one is in Arlington, and the other is in Fairfax county that has yet to be determined. Am I missing anything?

This isn't ODP, but rather ODP academy. Not worth it at all. Primary function is to make $$ for the trainers. The only people who participate are ego-driven soccer parents who want to be able to claim that their kids "play ODP" or that are trying to get in good with the ODP trainers for the ODP teams down the road. We couldn't stand it when we tried it. You are better off playing pickup or street ball with neighborhood kids. Save the money.

There are tryouts for both ODP and the new Developmental ODP, or D-ODP. Because it's new, my child has not done the D-ODP but I suggest you evaluate it like any other extra training session. Personally, I think any motivated kid should do one extra training session outside of hes/her club each season both to get a different perspective and yes, to separate from his teammates. So for D-ODP, figure out if the training time and location is convenient to you, and how the price compares and then make your choice. Based on our experience with ODP, the trainers for the most are very good and it gives your chikd a chance to interact with coaches and players outside his club, which will be beneficial if he wants to move teams as he gets older.

To me, ODP is another path for good players to get some recognition and add some accomplishments to their resume. If your child is on a top team playing in top flights at the major tournaments, you may not need ODP. But for others, especially the top players on lesser teams, it's a way to test yourself against other top players. At the Northern district tryouts, I'd said about half the players made it to the district training, and since it's just based on a 2 day tryout, some players who shouldn't make will slip through. All things considered, Ww think it's worth doing.

OK. Lots of misconceptions.

1) Excellent path to gain exposure for top/elite players, especially if they can advance through to State and Region. Exposure to whom? college scouts, Youth National Team trainers/scouts, opportunity to play internationally depending upon which age group is traveling that year;all players especially top/elite players SHOULD have the opportunity to play against other top players from other clubs, that is crucial to development.

2) No everyone does NOT get selected, and yes some get selected who shouldn't be, and some DONT get selected who SHOULD be. That's just the nature of tryouts. Suck it up. VA-ODP gives players who "slip through" a chance to be seen and evaluated.

3) Tryouts are usually held where training will take place, according to district. This year, there is a field shortage and that is why tryouts for North are being held in Fredericksburg. Training for state and region are held at VSTC in Fredericksburg because that is where VA-ODP is located. If you aren't the traveling type and your kid isn't the traveling type, then ODP isn't for you.

4) District training is weekly for about 8 weeks in the Fall, followed up by INTER-District Scrimmages in November, which is actually the tryout for State. State training is weekly in the Spring.

5) D-ODP is new this year. Whether or not its worth it for an 8 year old is a personal choice. For me personally, I think trying to cram the younger and younger kids into the "elite" category is a disservice, but that's just me. An elite 8 year old might well be very mediocre at 12 and/or lose interest in soccer altogether.

6) $30-$40 (early registration) for ODP tryout is pretty affordable considering. There are extra fees for ODP which is mostly affordable in this area, but if it's a hardship THEY WILL offer assistance.

7) THE BIG QUESTION: IS IT WORTH IT? Yes, for any top/elite player from any club who has goals to play in college and beyond, it is an excellent opportunity. The biggest misconception here is that if your kid isn't selected up to the next level, then the time and money invested "wasn't worth it." Most of the discontent comes from the ego-driven ODP parents who's future-Messi was unfairly over-looked for State or Region 1. Pity. The whole experience and process is very much worth it to the right players and their development. But if your kid is not interested in pushing themselves to the next level and beyond, ODP isn't for them. If soccer is just "something to do " to pad their college resumees with extracurricular activities, then ODP isn't for them. Step aside and allow the spot on the roster go to someone for whom soccer is everything.

[Anonymous]

3) Tryouts are usually held where training will take place, according to district. This year, there is a field shortage and that is why tryouts for North are being held in Fredericksburg. Training for state and region are held at VSTC in Fredericksburg because that is where VA-ODP is located. If you aren't the traveling type and your kid isn't the traveling type, then ODP isn't for you.

I thought the tryouts were in Fredericksburg but the weekly training will be held in either Arlington, Ashburn, and a place yet to be determined. Is that incorrect?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ODP tryouts are coming up. Any opinions on whether or not this training is worth it? To the best of my knowledge, the tryouts are held in Fredericksburg for all ages groups. The youngest age group is birth year 2007. Tryouts cost $30 for 2007-2005 and $50 for older kids. After being accepted into the training program (I heard they try to accept everyone), there are three training locations throughout NoVa. One is in Ashburn (Evergreen), one is in Arlington, and the other is in Fairfax county that has yet to be determined. Am I missing anything?

This isn't ODP, but rather ODP academy. Not worth it at all. Primary function is to make $$ for the trainers. The only people who participate are ego-driven soccer parents who want to be able to claim that their kids "play ODP" or that are trying to get in good with the ODP trainers for the ODP teams down the road. We couldn't stand it when we tried it. You are better off playing pickup or street ball with neighborhood kids. Save the money.

There are tryouts for both ODP and the new Developmental ODP, or D-ODP. Because it's new, my child has not done the D-ODP but I suggest you evaluate it like any other extra training session. Personally, I think any motivated kid should do one extra training session outside of hes/her club each season both to get a different perspective and yes, to separate from his teammates. So for D-ODP, figure out if the training time and location is convenient to you, and how the price compares and then make your choice. Based on our experience with ODP, the trainers for the most are very good and it gives your chikd a chance to interact with coaches and players outside his club, which will be beneficial if he wants to move teams as he gets older.

To me, ODP is another path for good players to get some recognition and add some accomplishments to their resume. If your child is on a top team playing in top flights at the major tournaments, you may not need ODP. But for others, especially the top players on lesser teams, it's a way to test yourself against other top players. At the Northern district tryouts, I'd said about half the players made it to the district training, and since it's just based on a 2 day tryout, some players who shouldn't make will slip through. All things considered, Ww think it's worth doing.

Didn't realize 8 year olds had resumes.....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:3) Tryouts are usually held where training will take place, according to district. This year, there is a field shortage and that is why tryouts for North are being held in Fredericksburg. Training for state and region are held at VSTC in Fredericksburg because that is where VA-ODP is located. If you aren't the traveling type and your kid isn't the traveling type, then ODP isn't for you.

I thought the tryouts were in Fredericksburg but the weekly training will be held in either Arlington, Ashburn, and a place yet to be determined. Is that incorrect?

Yes, for NORTH DISTRICT, girls district training will be somewhere in Fairfax County.
http://www.vysa.com/odp/index_E.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:3) Tryouts are usually held where training will take place, according to district. This year, there is a field shortage and that is why tryouts for North are being held in Fredericksburg. Training for state and region are held at VSTC in Fredericksburg because that is where VA-ODP is located. If you aren't the traveling type and your kid isn't the traveling type, then ODP isn't for you.

I thought the tryouts were in Fredericksburg but the weekly training will be held in either Arlington, Ashburn, and a place yet to be determined. Is that incorrect?

Yes, for NORTH DISTRICT, girls district training will be somewhere in Fairfax County.
http://www.vysa.com/odp/index_E.html

And for STATE training, it is usually in Fredericksburg and/or Richmond/Wlliamsburg
See last year's schedule:
http://www.vysa.com/odp/StateODP/899907.html