NY West ODP Overview

What is ODP?

The NY West/US YOUTH SOCCER Olympic Development Program, or ODP as it is more commonly called, is a national identification and development program designed to identify youth soccer players throughout the country, to represent their state (NY West) association, region and the United States in soccer competition.

ODP teams are formed at the state and regional levels, made up of the best players in various age groups.  At the state association level, pools of players are identified in each eligible age group, and brought together as a team to develop their skill though training and competition.  From the state pools and subsequent teams, players are identified for regional and national pools and teams.

What are the goals of ODP?

• To identify a pool of players in each age group from which a US ODP National Team will be selected for international competition.

• 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, develop mechanism for the enhancement of ideas and curriculum to improve all levels of coaching.

Who is eligible?

Any soccer player who is registered to a club within the New York State West boundaries, and is in good standing with the NYSWYSA, is eligible for consideration in the ODP provided, that he/she meets the age requirements for the established age groups.  A player may try out in the state association in which he or she is eligible to be registered; a player may not try out for the ODP in more than one state association.

How are players selected?

In NY West, players are selected on the basis of open tryouts.  These tryouts are conducted by the NY West ODP staff coaches who are recognized for their ability to identify and train players with superior skills.  Players can also try out at the invitation of the state Director of Coaching - players can be referred to a state head coach, or can be identified through scouting.

The selection of these players is not an easy task.  The NY West ODP head coach for each age group and his/ her assistant coaches will take on the responsibility for final state team selections, but they will be assisted by several other ODP staff coaches during initial tryouts for the ODP Indoor Pool. Players will be evaluated across the four pillars of soccer which consist of a player's technical, tactical, physical and mental qualities. 

Click here for more information on tryouts.

What do ODP players do?

Upon selection, a NY West ODP player is expected to participate in all activities of their pool. These activities may include training sessions, exhibition matches, invitational tournaments and the East Region ODP Tournament.  If players are not available for a specific event, they may be replaced for the event, by another player from their player pool.

Players should be serious about their participation, and should be committed to improving their individual skills as well as improving as a team player.  Players are subject to the ODP Code of Conduct upon entry into the program; among other things, the Code prohibits the use of drugs and alcohol by ODP players.  Violation of the Code’s provisions, are reasons for immediate termination of a player’s participation in ODP.

What are Regional Tournaments and Camps?

US YOUTH SOCCER is divided into four regions, each of which offers regional tournaments and camps for state association ODP teams in each eligible age group.  These 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 high level of play are identified for possible regional camp, pool or team participation.  Each region varies somewhat as to the specifics and the cost of their camps.  The East Region ODP Tournament is typically held on the first or second weekend in June; and East Region ID Camps are typically four day events held in mid-July (see the East Region website for more information).

What is a National Camp?

National Camps and Inter-regional events are held throughout the year at various locations in the United States.  The ODP National Team Coaches and/ or the US National Staff Coaches are present at these events to observe, train and identify players for placement in the ODP and/ or US national pools or on a national team.

What are the benefits of participating in ODP?

• Development as a player via the opportunity to train and play with the best players in your age group.

• Quality instruction from state, regional and national team nationally licensed coaches.

• Quality competition via games against other state association ODP teams.

• The opportunity to represent one’s state, region or country in competition.

• Exposure to college coaches.

What is the structure of NY West ODP (for boys and girls)?

• 12U State Pool/ Team

• 13U State Pool/ Team

• 14U State Pool/ Team

• 15U State Pool/ Team

• 16U State Pool/ Team

• 17U State Pool/ Team

• 19U State ODP Training Program (including 18U’s)

How much does NY West ODP cost?

Costs for ODP include registration fees, facilities fees, uniforms, and training.  In general, a player can expect to pay about $900 for the State portion of the program if they progress all the way through to the NYW State Team. It is a pay as you go program with separate fees assessed to those players selected to move forward through each step of the program (IE. Indoor Pool, Outdoor Pool, and the NYW State Team that participates in the ODP Tournament). Players selected to attend the East Region ODP ID Camps in July can expect to pay an additional amount.  Costs for these camps are determined by the East Region, but generally cost about $400.  A limited amount of financial aid is available upon request.  Requests for aid are based on financial need, and are reviewed and awarded by the program directors. 

Click here for more information on financial aid.

What is the schedule of NY West ODP?

• Initial tryouts for the 12U, 13U and 14U age groups are held at the end of September, and in the beginning of December for the 15U, 16U and 17U age groups.

• Winter indoor training consists of meeting once a month December though April.  Sessions are typically double sessions on a Saturday or Sunday.  There are also additional goalkeeper specific training sessions independent of the designated team training sessions.

• Outdoor training consists of a development weekend, scrimmages and 4/ 5 training sessions leading up to the East Region ODP Tournament.

• The East Region ODP Tournament (June) and East Region ODP ID Camps (July).  See the East Region website for more information.

Who are NY West ODP staff coaches?

The NY West ODP staff coaches are carefully selected by the Technical Director, and are dedicated to the development of youth soccer players and to the game of soccer in NY West.  Outside of the NY West ODP, they are youth, club, high school, college, regional and national staff coaches.  Typically ODP staff coaches have played the game at a high level themselves (collegiately and/or professionally), have had considerable soccer-coaching experience, and hold at least a USSF "C" Coaching License, or a NSCAA National Diploma.

Click here for a complete listing of the NY West ODP Coaching Staff

Will participation in NY West ODP conflict with my club team?

NY West ODP strives to honor the good work of our many outstanding clubs and works in conjunction with them to identify the top players within our boundaries.  Our program has undergone significant changes in the last two years as we continue to try to minimize the conflicts imposed on top players in NY West. New initiatives are currently being developed that are meant to improve the scheduling of events between the clubs, leagues, tournaments and NY West ODP. 

Despite our best efforts to minimize conflicts, they WILL sometimes occur.  NY West ODP will not penalize any player who misses an event – for any reason.

The New York State West Youth Soccer Association would like to encourage you to participate in the Olympic Development Program.  Do not be discouraged if you are not selected to one of the pools in your first attempt.  A number of our past and current Regional and National youth team players did not make the state team on their first attempt.  The NY West ODP staff wishes you good luck, and looks forward to seeing you "on the pitch!"

For more information interested players should contact the NY West State Office at (607)962-9923, or visit us at: http://nyswysa.org/olympic-development-program