Virginia ODP
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Anonymous
| DS is planning on trying out for the ODP program for the first time. Any insight into what that try out process is like? |
Anonymous
| +1 |
Anonymous
| Almost Everyone makes it for the district program for the fall, as long as you have been playing travel for a while. In November you try out for state odp and it's more competitive to make |
Anonymous
|
They will have several fields of small sided games going on and will rotate teams around the fields, so all of the coaches get a chance to see all of the kids.
The first round of cuts is pretty minimal. The coaches are probably mostly looking for the players that aren't at a good enough level to complete. Once the Division selections are made, they will practice one or twice a week. This is where the higher level evaluation will happen. These players will be evaluated for the State selections. |
Anonymous
Bring your checkbook. |
Anonymous
Thank you! |
Anonymous
| Ibid. Any idea on the cost? |
Anonymous
What age? Depending on what stage he is things are a bit different |
Anonymous
It’s like $300 for district team |
Anonymous
| Save your money, worthless program. |
Anonymous
|
+1 on saving your money... Big fast and physical is a must. Technical is fine if you are a LEGIT 8 or 10 who can dribble like Messi AND put the ball in the net a lot. Small sided stuff it will appear they like to possess the ball and knock it around. Once ODP teams move to 11v11 against competition it breaks down to American Kick Ball. Also see LOTS of favoritism towards certain big name clubs and sticking with the same core players regardless any differences you might see in practices.
We moved to the area from out of state and DS got into VA ODP around u15. It was an uphill climb. At one point a Fairfax County club had over 10 players in one age group. Everyone else had 1-2 players per club. It's amazing in alllll of VA one club in Fairfax County DOMINATED ODP. IF you weren't from that one club, you had to be the favorite at your club to be favored to get a spot... |
Anonymous
Hah, you can just say "SYC" 
ODP is good for exposing your player to different coaches and styles and widening their circle of friends. It's also more training, which is usually a good thing for a teenager. "Worth it?" Eh...Every time your kid gets "selected" for something, be ready to write a check for at least $500. I did the math a few years ago, and if your kid gets selected for everything, for every team (including the Europe trip) it was around $7k for the year. This is an *extra* $7k. Without the Europe trip, around $4k. Our district practices were at Woodson, so that was an easy drive for us for 8 Sunday evenings. Leesburg, not so much. The state training sessions in Fredericksburg could kill a weekend, especially if they switched times because of weather. PP points out that ODP coaches are drawn from the local club scene and, as such, are probably inclined to favor the style and abilities of the players whom they've already picked for their club teams and coach on a regular basis. It would be very cynical to view ODP as an opportunity for the coaches to extract even more $$ from the families--but not necessarily inaccurate. |
Anonymous
| DD loves it. Extra training, new group of girls to see play, and possibility to get more exposure if she makes the state team again. Worth noting that ODP doesn't have nearly the top talent in any state. While it could be seen as an 'all-star' billing, it's very, very far from it. Majority of girls we know who've made national rosters don't even think about ODP, likely as they don't want more training to drive to/from. If you're a good player and want more exposure, then ODP is for you. If you're thinking it'll deliver more than extra practice, then you'll probably be disappointed. Overall: worth doing. |
Anonymous
| Good thread. DD's friends are encouraging her to sign up for D-ODP with them. I assume that is pretty much the same, just for younger kids? |
Anonymous
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My son had a really good experience and met really nice kids from other Clubs.
He was U14 when he started and grew as an athlete a lot. Lots of hard work, every training is like a tryout. Yes, he was always selected for the next level/camp/tournament so that was exciting for him. ODP was his first ever experience to overnight camps and international traveling (alone). |