Anonymous
Post 08/08/2021 11:14     Subject: Virginia ODP
Anonymous wrote:This is not meant to trash the program, but educate. If you are doing ODP to get touches or just augment training then your good to go. Don’t go in thinking ODP will get you anywhere. The program is not what it was a decade ago and virtually none of the “elite” players are participating.


My son played a decade ago, in 2010, and it was nothing more than training then either. In fact, I am really not sure when the ODP program gave anyone a leg up in something athletic they were trying to achieve.
Anonymous
Post 08/07/2021 19:10     Subject: Virginia ODP
Anonymous wrote:After spending 4 hours in the car and 2 hours standing in the pouring rain today, am seriously questioning my sanity 😁


Lol, there was pretty low turnout today.
Anonymous
Post 08/07/2021 18:32     Subject: Virginia ODP
After spending 4 hours in the car and 2 hours standing in the pouring rain today, am seriously questioning my sanity 😁
Anonymous
Post 08/06/2021 01:33     Subject: Virginia ODP
This is not meant to trash the program, but educate. If you are doing ODP to get touches or just augment training then your good to go. Don’t go in thinking ODP will get you anywhere. The program is not what it was a decade ago and virtually none of the “elite” players are participating.
Anonymous
Post 08/03/2021 19:50     Subject: Virginia ODP
ODP takes anywhere from 3-5 players from VA for their regional team. The players are usually not from ECNL/DA level clubs. They are not always the best on their club team even. The regional ODP coaches just pick who they think the best player is from whatever their personal criteria is and put them on the team. They might just need to fill a spot and if you don't play that position, you're not getting on. If your child doesn't make it, please don't sweat it. ODP is not the final say on whether or not your child is a good player. Believe me.
Anonymous
Post 08/03/2021 17:50     Subject: Re:Virginia ODP
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:+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...


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.



Hahahahahaha welllllll guess which coach DS was with



ODP was good for us in a couple areas, as pointed out- More touches, more training, more/different coaches/players etc. More "no's, you're not good enough." He certainly doesn't have an inflated ego from all the trials he's been to over the years. Certainly MANY more "no's" than yesses. Quite the life lesson. It's only a final NO once you quit trying!
Anonymous
Post 08/03/2021 06:49     Subject: Re:Virginia ODP
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The whole program is full of itself, not worth the inflated price, and is a pain in the ass when it overlaps with something, and it will overlap a lot. They want the player to email the coach if they are not going to be at an event, not the parent - the PLAYER. I guess they are too good to use an app like the rest of the soccer world so you can see who is available.


Seems like a fairly small issue to have such a large complaint about!


I think that’s a fine policy. Kids are 11 at the youngest unless there’s a question of computer access I think it’s great they have to compose a quick email to an adult. I’m always shocked what sets parents over the edge.


Just one example of how arrogant the whole program is. Anyone that has multiple kids in multiple sports will tell you it’s stupid to not have an app.
Anonymous
Post 08/03/2021 06:20     Subject: Re:Virginia ODP
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The whole program is full of itself, not worth the inflated price, and is a pain in the ass when it overlaps with something, and it will overlap a lot. They want the player to email the coach if they are not going to be at an event, not the parent - the PLAYER. I guess they are too good to use an app like the rest of the soccer world so you can see who is available.


Seems like a fairly small issue to have such a large complaint about!


I think that’s a fine policy. Kids are 11 at the youngest unless there’s a question of computer access I think it’s great they have to compose a quick email to an adult. I’m always shocked what sets parents over the edge.
Anonymous
Post 08/02/2021 19:51     Subject: Re:Virginia ODP
Anonymous wrote:The whole program is full of itself, not worth the inflated price, and is a pain in the ass when it overlaps with something, and it will overlap a lot. They want the player to email the coach if they are not going to be at an event, not the parent - the PLAYER. I guess they are too good to use an app like the rest of the soccer world so you can see who is available.


Seems like a fairly small issue to have such a large complaint about!
Anonymous
Post 08/02/2021 19:16     Subject: Re:Virginia ODP
The whole program is full of itself, not worth the inflated price, and is a pain in the ass when it overlaps with something, and it will overlap a lot. They want the player to email the coach if they are not going to be at an event, not the parent - the PLAYER. I guess they are too good to use an app like the rest of the soccer world so you can see who is available.
Anonymous
Post 08/02/2021 16:50     Subject: Re:Virginia ODP
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Are they allowed to play up in the ODP as well?


No.


Interesting. I have heard some (very small #) made the cut in previous years.
Anonymous
Post 08/02/2021 15:11     Subject: Virginia ODP
Have had 2 kids go through this for a few years. One said coaches were always looking for a specific type of player for state pools and she was not it. She was fine with that and moved one.

My other one has done well enough to get named to the Regional pool.

Both played for a smaller club and did it for more training.

You won’t find any GA players and although there are ECNL players there, it’s a small number.

Previous posters are right about the $, each level costs you more.

Our club is not ECNL or GA so this works for us
Anonymous
Post 08/02/2021 12:47     Subject: Re:Virginia ODP
Anonymous wrote:Are they allowed to play up in the ODP as well?


No.
Anonymous
Post 08/02/2021 11:38     Subject: Re:Virginia ODP
Are they allowed to play up in the ODP as well?
Anonymous
Post 08/02/2021 09:46     Subject: Virginia ODP
Anonymous wrote:Save your money, worthless program.


Sorry your player didn't make the cut.