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 Boys ODP Information            Girls ODP Information

What is ODP?
The U. S. YOUTH SOCCER Olympic Development Program or ODP as it is more commonly called is a national identification and development program for high-level players. The program identifies and develops youth players throughout the country to represent their state association, region and the United States in soccer competition.

ODP teams are formed at the state association 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 through 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 United States 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 licensed coaches, develop a mechanism for the enhancement of ideas and curriculum to improve all levels of coaching.

Who is Eligible?
Any soccer player is eligible for consideration in Michigan U S Youth ODP provided that he or she meets the age requirements for the established age group. 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.
 Tryouts in Michigan are usually conducted during the first weekend of August. Interested players should check our website www.michiganyouthsoccer.org for dates and details.

How are Players Selected?
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. Players must tryout each year.
Selection of these players is not an easy task. The state association Head Coach or State Coach will, in most cases, be assisted in the selection process by several other qualified coaches from college, club or league level. Players are evaluated on the four components that make up a soccer player:

• technique
• tactics
• fitness and athletic ability
• psychological component (attitude)

What do ODP Players do?
Upon selection, Michigan U S Youth ODP players are expected to participate in all activities of their team. These activities may include exhibition matches, invitational tournaments and State Camp and Regional Camps. If players are not available for a specific event, they may be replaced by another player from their player pool.  Players are expected to take their participation in the program seriously, 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 at the state association level.

What are Regional Camps?
U.S. YOUTH SOCCER is divided into four regions, each of which offers a regional camp for state association ODP teams in each eligible age group. The camps 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 national camp, pool or team participation.

What is a National Camp?
National Camps and Interregional events are held throughout the year at various locations in the United States. The National Team Coach or a National Staff Coach is present at these events to observe, train and identify players for placement in the national pool or on a national team.

What are the Benefits of Participating in ODP?

• Development as a player. 
• The opportunity to train and play with the best players in one's age group.
• Quality instructions from nationally licensed coaches.
• Quality competition.  Games against other state association ODP teams.
• Exposure to regional and national team coaches.
• The opportunity to represent one's state, region or country in competition. 

Can a player be involved in ODP and Club Soccer?
Players can do both ODP and Club Soccer. Michigan tryouts are usually the first weekend in August. Those players chosen from the tryout will train indoor on Sundays during the winter months. Some teams may travel to events during the winter months. In mid March state teams are announced. Teams will come back again at the end of June and the beginning of July for training and scrimmages to prepare for Regional Camp which is held in July. After regional camp everyone must tryout again. Our events are held during times when club and high school teams have their down time.