what is ODP and why is is good?????

My DD is an 02. I am not sure what ODP is and more importantly why would it be good for my DD. Please excuse my lack of knowledge but I am new to this area.

Here we go...

soccerdad1969 wrote:Here we go...

LOL, I'm thinking the same thing and also thinking this is a loaded question to once again get everyone all riled up.

Two pages of Threads and the following website will help you with some of the insights of ODP (Pro and Con)

http://www.ntxsoccer.org/players/olympicdevelopmentprogram.aspx

soccerdad1969 wrote:Here we go...

I'm actually interested in hearing from those that have been there... I know you took your DD into it kinda blind as well... I'm honestly curious how the first year went... my DD is an 03 but plays 04 Academy so I'm curious what YOUR experience has been as my DD wants to try-out but I need to know there is some value outside bragging rights for our kids... LOL No need to post on here, just PM me if you get a chance...

  

I'm not trying to get anyone "riled up". I am new and was curious about what it is and the value. Can anyone try out? Is there allot of travel required. I will go to the website but seemed like a reasonable question for those who might know. I thought that was what this forum was for

-Tryouts for '02s are in August or September, 2 3hr sessions. These are for '02 birth year, not soccer year. If she has an '01 bdate and plays for an '02 team, she would need to try out for the '01 pool.
-Anyone can try out.

If selected from the tryouts:
-There should be 10 2hr practices on various Sundays throughout the school year.
-The '02s won't be eligible for the sub-regional camp next year, but will be eligible for the region iii camp in Alabama. I think they take 2 teams.
-There will be 2 or 3 sub-regional competitions for selected members of the ODP pool. One of these will probably be in SCAL for the '02s next year.
-Being in the pool costs $300 which gets you the 10 practices, two uniforms, and a backpack. That works out to $15/hour if all are attended against pretty good competition. The camps and competitions are extra.
-Once in the pool, you only have to be paid up and go to 4 practices a year to remain in the pool the following year. No competitions or camps are necessary to stay in.

SoccerShocker wrote:

soccerdad1969 wrote:Here we go...

I'm actually interested in hearing from those that have been there... I know you took your DD into it kinda blind as well...  I'm honestly curious how the first year went...  my DD is an 03 but plays 04 Academy so I'm curious what YOUR experience has been as my DD wants to try-out but I need to know there is some value outside bragging rights for our kids...  LOL  No need to post on here, just PM me if you get a chance...

  

Sent you a PM

soccerdad1969 wrote:-Tryouts for '02s are in August or September, 2 3hr sessions. These are for '02 birth year, not soccer year. If she has an '01 bdate and plays for an '02 team, she would need to try out for the '01 pool.
-Anyone can try out.

If selected from the tryouts:
-There should be 10 2hr practices on various Sundays throughout the school year.
-The '02s won't be eligible for the sub-regional camp next year, but will be eligible for the region iii camp in Alabama. I think they take 2 teams.
-There will be 2 or 3 sub-regional competitions for selected members of the ODP pool. One of these will probably be in SCAL for the '02s next year.
-Being in the pool costs $300 which gets you the 10 practices, two uniforms, and a backpack. That works out to $15/hour if all are attended against pretty good competition. The camps and competitions are extra.
-Once in the pool, you only have to be paid up and go to 4 practices a year to remain in the pool the following year. No competitions or camps are necessary to stay in.

So is it best to start in this at U13 or U14? I have heard that some younger players plan to try out for their pools but my question is why? What is in it for the younger groups? Thanks

I'm not sure when the best time to start, but the NTX gurus seem to feel U10/11 is the best time. This from a season ending letter relating to OK and AR ODP: NTX Soccer begins the ODP program a year sooner than most other states, as North Texas is ahead in youth soccer development.

Sent you a message Frisco.

ODP is more practice and more games with more players. It is just that, more.

There is nothing "Olympic" about it and "Development" is subjective. It is in fact a "Program" and the name has a good ring to it around the water cooler and on Facebook.

OK, my DD tried out and made it in her first year for her age group. Not all players made it. The fact that she worked hard and made it gave her a boost when she needed it. The extra practice with higher level players was also good. She made the all star team at the Oklahoma camp which further boosted her confidence. She was injured the second year and didn't really get a chance to play. This past year, she decided not to return. I think her one year was valuable because it pushed her to work harder and gave her some much needed confidence.

We did volunteer for several extra events for coaches to earn their licenses. My DD was exposed to other coaching styles. She made friends with girls from other teams. It will be good for a college resume along with the other outside events she has attended. I don't think there is a negative to it, other than to agree that the name is a bit misleading in today's world. They aren't part of Olympic training.

InaB wrote:OK, my DD tried out and made it in her first year for her age group. Not all players made it. The fact that she worked hard and made it gave her a boost when she needed it. The extra practice with higher level players was also good.  She made the all star team at the Oklahoma camp which further boosted her confidence. She was injured the second year and didn't really get a chance to play. This past year, she decided not to return. I think her one year was valuable because it pushed her to work harder and gave her some much needed confidence.

We did volunteer for several extra events for coaches to earn their licenses. My DD was exposed to other coaching styles. She made friends with girls from other teams. It will be good for a college resume along with the other outside events she has attended. I don't think there is a negative to it, other than to agree that the name is a bit misleading in today's world. They aren't part of Olympic training.  

I would agree with this 100%. It was a boost to my DD's confidence, which in turn made her work even harder and play more aggressively. She LOVES the coaches there, and has made several friends on other teams. She always comes out of practices jazzed up. Now, watching the practices myself, I will say that about 1/2 of this enthusiasm is because she believes she's part of something special, not because it really is all that special. But for her (and a lot of other pre-teen aged girls) that belief is all that matters...it becomes a self-fulfilling prohecy, so to speak. As long as there is the possibility of being selected to a top team, or qualifying for a higher camp, etc..., she will continue to work her tail off. Working towards a goal like that is a great life lesson to learn.

However, I have seen several players out at practices that were absolutely awful (couldn't even pass accurately or receive well), and when my dd notices that (and she has), it "undoes" some of that benefit. Still, we would do it again, and we will continue to participate next year.

I think it is beneficial to get in some inexpensive extra practice from different voices and players around you. My DD has been in it 3 years but is not ever excited about going. She is generally happy she went afterwards but I have made her stay in it because I can seen it has helped her game some. I also throw out that she is helping her team out by getting the extra training and she understands that as well. So, for now, we will still participate.

I want take a moment and thank everyone that has posted or PM'd me on this topic... this is very helpful in understanding not just the true nature of the ODP program but also helps us decide whether all the begging our DD is doing to try out is really worth the extra $$$... I guess we all pay for skills and such to help our DD get the most out of soccer, sounds like this is just another avenue to help her grow and is relatively inexpensive from the sounds of it. Also sounds like everyone that has been a part of it has benefited somehow and in turn benefited the team their DD was on. Good information.

we love ODP. They put together a June Sub Regional Tournament. You get to play teams from South Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma. For only 60 more dollars, your kid can participate. Extra touches, top level statewide competition.

My daughter is also a participant in ODP and I think it is an excellent program in the sense that your kids get experience working with several different coaches, with different players, in different areas of the county for an extremely good price.
However.....top level competition, it is not.  Although most girls in the program are very good players, coachable and good natured. The best competition is not in ODP. Not yet, if ever. They produce great players. If I gambled, I would wager my paycheck that an 02  Grubb, Higg or Solar Red could beat any 03,02 and 01 ODP team in this region. and many other areas too. (My daughter does not play for any of these teams just an observant spectator)

I have no ODP opinion as DD had no interest in the program.

Her club coach places no emphasis on ODP and carries no weight; Starter positions and playing time based on practice and game field performance.

I am curious to know if DD's coach is alone in not placing emphasis on ODP and do ODP players hold the top spots  on their club teams at any age group?

If anything I like the idea that you can check the ODP box on a college resume to get an edge over a non-ODP participant.

No weight on our team. But, all the ODP participants on DD's team are starters. Just a good program for good extra practice at a reasonable price and hearing different voices. Competition in the regionals is usually pretty good so no real negatives except maybe more play may increase injury risk.

02Mom wrote:My daughter is also a participant in ODP and I think it is an excellent program in the sense that your kids get experience working with several different coaches, with different players, in different areas of the county for an extremely good price.
However.....top level competition, it is not.  Although most girls in the program are very good players, coachable and good natured. The best competition is not in ODP. Not yet, if ever. They produce great players. If I gambled, I would wager my paycheck that an 02  Grubb, Higg or Solar Red could beat any 03,02 and 01 ODP team in this region. and many other areas too. (My daughter does not play for any of these teams just an observant spectator)

i do agree with you here about the higher level teams beating them. The only reason is that the ODP team doesn't have chemistry yet with limited game experience together. I do think that the ODP teams do have many of top players from different clubs across DFW, so i think they compete very well, may win and may lose...but the difference will be team chemistry not skill or talent level.

My kid is starting her 3rd year in ODP. Based on her experience:

1). Practices are fun and well run. Coaching is positive & gives a fresh perspective.
2). Camps are reasonably priced and very well run (this coming from comparative experience attending UNT, Jato, SMU, & A&M camps)
3). Great social networking. She texts all year long with the friends she made at camp. (This is one reason some club coaches frown on ODP).
4). Competition is good. An example was this weekend's sub-regionals at Carpenter. The 01 games all displayed good possesion based soccer from players that all had athleticism, drive, and good soccer IQ. They were fun games to watch with loads of high level talent from LHGC teams.

The 02 level is watered down soccer. Its 02s,03s, and, 04s all together. Go to any LH D1 practice and you will see much better soccer. A lot of the better 02s and 03s we know have dropped out or wont sign up again. What's the point of a top 02 player training and playing against a 04 players. It May be helpful for the 04 but the 02 just asks why should I come back for this. Did the older age groups start out age pure or were the 02s the first mixed group?

hoopsfan wrote:The 02 level is watered down soccer. Its 02s,03s, and, 04s all together. Go to any LH D1 practice and you will see much better soccer. A lot of the better 02s and 03s we know have dropped out or wont sign up again. What's the point of a top 02 player training and playing against a 04 players. It May be helpful for the 04 but the 02 just asks why should I come back for this. Did the older age groups start out age pure or were the 02s the first mixed group?

ODP/US Soccer goes by birth year, so there will always be a mix of club years in odp pools. I believe 02s were first year I can recall where 3 years were mixed together (02/03/04), but usually several kids one year younger will make the state pool the first year
(Large # of birth year 01s made the 00 state pool, 02s made 01 pool, etc.)

That said, I wouldn't worry about the age of the other players - irrelevant in an odp setting.

I watched a player this weekend in '01 odp subregional games that could probably start on any '01 ECNL team now forming up, and could likely get minutes on most '00 ECNL if she wanted. A parent told me she's actually an '02 club year that has played up with '01s in lake highlands for several years.

If your dd is so good she runs circles around the vast majority of the pool, maybe ODP is a waste of time. But I've watched a good # of parents turn their nose up at ODP after the first year because their kid was a rock star, and now it's becoming clear the kids putting in the work year in / year out have caught (or passed) many of the rock stars of u11. Some of the kids who simply started earlier paying for skills will get caught by the athletes when they show up and start acquiring the same skills...so playing the "she's too good for this" card has some risks in the long term.

Is the competition good enough to benefit your daughter? Is the training helpful? Does she enjoy it? Can you afford it? Is it worth her and your time? All are more important than what age group other ODP kids play...IMO.

The point is by adding the younger birth years to the 02 group they have made it uncompetitive. A lot of good talent has stayed away or has left. There are many better options in North Texas for competitive training. A skilled played gets bored and loses interest when other players cant keep up. The younger players I saw had trouble with the speed of play, couldn't connect passes, couldn't keep the ball and were out ran. Mainly because the of there size and soccer maturity.

hoopsfan wrote:The point is by adding the younger birth years to the 02 group they have made it uncompetitive. A lot of good talent has stayed away or has left. There are  many better options in North Texas for competitive training. A skilled played gets bored and loses interest when other players cant keep up. The younger players I saw had trouble with the speed of play, couldn't connect passes, couldn't keep the ball and were out ran. Mainly because the of there size and soccer maturity.

Odp does not represent  all, or even most of best players in ntx at a given age group. No argument there. Putting players two years younger together in the same pool does seem strange at such a young age, and if odp had done that for our group and the dd said it was boring...I'd be done in a heartbeat.

That said, I tell my dd just because players she knows who are very strong have quit or never tried out, doesn't mean she should follow. Our take is you make your own path and take advantage of any opportunities at your disposal.

The question on if ODP is good or not depends. Are there problems with the system? Yes having gone through it this weekend with my 01 girls and 02 boy. (being a first year member for both). The organization needed a little more help but to me their hearts are in the right place and because so many have been po-poing this process their hands are kind of tied together which make them have to hustle to get folks to participate.
My take from the 01( playing with the 2000’s) I saw many quality (ECNL level) players out there in the games I watched, I saw much more of an attempt to play possession soccer for kids that didn’t even know each other that well. (Probably more then what I saw in a typical Lake Highland division 1 match) So there were less issues with the quality then what I saw in the 02/03’s group. Reason I think (maybe) is that those involved in the program in the older years want to be part of the system and want to make it better.
I believe I had a choice when I took my girl and boy there to make the best of it or complain about what I didn’t like. (Trust me there was a lot and my wife bless her heart probably complained a lot more for me) I looked at it as additional touches at a relatively fair price. Providing the child additional voices that then they usually hear. Also a chance to get out of her and his comfort zone and work and solving soccer problems with different folks. Both kids are going to the regional camps going to give me their impression of the process and the skill level. I just think at the end of the day you get from it what you want to get from it. It beats having the kid stuck on the phone or in front of the TV.