Olympic Development Program

What is the Olympic Development Program?

Philosophy

The aim of the Olympic Development Program (ODP) is to identify and advance the most talented and passionate youth players through the ODP state, regional, and national team selection process and competitions. The pinnacle is the US ODP National Select Teams from 12 to 17 years of age.

Purpose

The Olympic Development Program was formed for a number of reasons. The first goal is to identify a pool of players, in each age group, from which a National Team will be selected for international competition. In addition, ODP provides high-level training to benefit and enhance the development of players at all levels. And finally, through the use of carefully selected and licensed coaches, develop a mechanism for the exchange of ideas and curriculum to improve all levels of coaching.

Program Description And History

ODP expanded in 1977 as the organization became more efficient, and multi-year plans were developed. State Associations were encouraged to develop programs that supported and worked in tandem with the National and Regional Programs.

Current Organization

From 1982 until the present, international events for youth national teams have increased substantially, and the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program has kept pace by instituting trials and player pools for six age groups in both the boys’ and the girls’ programs.

The ODP Tryout Process

Each State Association holds open ODP tryouts on an annual basis. Age groups and tryout dates may be different from state to state, based on seasonal and state considerations. Your first contact should be with your State Association for tryout information.

How Are Players Selected?

In most states (including NY West), players are selected on the basis of open tryouts. These tryouts are conducted by state association coaches who are recognized for their ability to identify and train players with superior skills. Some state associations combine scouting techniques and invitations to certain players with the open tryouts. Selection of these players is not an easy task. The state association staff will, in most cases, seek the help of other qualified coaches from the club or league level, in identifying the best players.

Players are evaluated on the four components that make up a soccer player:

• Technique
• Tactics
• Fitness and Athletic Ability
• Psychological Component

What Are Regional Camps?

US Youth Soccer is divided into four regions. Each region offers a regional ID camp/event for State Association ODP teams/players in each eligible age group. The events are designed to provide high level competition and training for participating players. During this training and competition, players who are capable of performing at a higher level of play are identified for possible ODP national team camp, pool or team participation. Each region varies somewhat as to the specifics and the cost of their camps.

What Is A National Camp?

ODP Interregional events are held throughout the year at various locations in the United States. The ODP National Team Coaches and National Staff Coaches are present at these events to observe, train and identify players for placement in the ODP national pool or ODP National Select Team.

About New York West ODP

The goal of the Olympic Development Program (ODP) is to identify top players in the NYSW footprint, provide them with high level training, and to advance the most talented and passionate youth players through ODP state, regional, and national team selection process. The pinnacle is ascending to the ODP National Select Teams that range in age from U12 through U17.

The New York State West/US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program was created for three reasons:

• To provide high-level training to benefit and enhance the development of players at ALL levels;
• Through the use of carefully selected and licensed coaches, to develop a mechanism for the exchange of ideas and curriculum to improve all levels of coaching, and
• To identify a pool of players in each age group from which four ODP Regional Teams (East, South, Midwest and West) and eventually an ODP National Select Team will be selected for domestic and/or international competition.

We invite you to experience our program and get involved!

11U Pre-ODP Program

The goal of the 11U Pre-ODP Program is to provide player development opportunities for youngsters in this age group. By keeping larger player pools, more players can partake in an ODP experience where they will receive high level, age-appropriate training and also get exposure to some of the best coaches in NYW. Learn more.

19U ODP Program

Traditional ODP at the state and regional level tops out at the 17U age group nationwide. NYW independently made the decision to expand its programming and continue to include this 19U training program to serve the serious and committed player looking for high level training to supplement their club and/or high school training. Learn more.

Training Kits

Training Kits:  Required ODP training kits are to be ordered online.  Approximate cost of the Nike kit is $65 (includes jersey, short, and socks).  Kits should be ordered in a timely fashion to ensure delivery prior to your first training session. Kits ordered closer to the start of the program may inevitably be delivered after the first training session.

PLEASE NOTE: We are moving to the new version of the same kit that we have had for the last four years (IE. same color scheme, same exact shorts and socks, but we will move to the newest edition of the same Nike jersey).  The end of the four year cycle for our current jersey has come to a close and Nike has created a new edition of the same jersey.  We recommend purchasing this new jersey as it is noticeably different than the old one. Moving forward and consistent with our past practices, we plan to stay with this jersey for its production shelf life so should families have the desire to utilize the jersey for more than one season, they will have that option.. 

Make Sure To Order the Correct Kit!