The Boulder County Force Soccer Club believes that ODP is in direct alignment with the mission of the club. Every effort is made to support those players who demonstrate the ability, maturity, focus and hard work to excel in ODP.
What are the Benefits of Participating in US Youth Soccer ODP?
1. First and foremost, development as a player. The opportunity to train and play with the best player’s in one’s age group.
2. Quality instruction from nationally licensed coaches.
3. Quality competition. Games against other state association ODP teams.
4. Exposure to regional and national team coaches.
5. The opportunity to represent one’s state, region, or country in competition.
6. Exposure to college coaches.
The US Youth Soccer ODP Philosophy
To identify players of the highest caliber on a continuing and consistent basis, which will lead to increased success for the U.S. National Teams in the international arena.
Purpose
The US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program was formed in 1977 to identify a pool of players in each age group from which a National Team will be selected for international competition; to provide high-level training to benefit and enhance the development of players at all levels; and, 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.
The US Youth Soccer ODP Selection Process
In 2005, the Colorado ODP moved to a nomination process for ODP player pool selection. The goal of the program is to select the top players in the state. The State ODP relies on the expertise of each youth club’s Director of Coaching to nominate players who should be considered amongst the best players in their age group. Each club is limited in the number of players eligible for nomination. Once a player is nominated and then selected for the Colorado State ODP pool they are then evaluated by nationally licensed ODP coaches for summer tournament and regional camp opportunities. Players should be aware that they may be evaluated throughout the year during club games and practices. For more information about the ODP selection processes contact Technical Director, John Welsch.
Clubs submit their player nominations at the end of August. During the selection process players are evaluated on the four main components of soccer: technique, tactics, fitness and athletic ability and psychological component (attitude). In March the player pools are narrowed to a final state pool from which teams will be selected to travel to the ODP events. In past years Colorado teams have participated in the Region IV Championships (January-Las Vegas) and the Colorado College Showcase (Memorial Day – Denver) in addition to the Region IV camp in June/July.
What are Regional Camps?
US Youth Soccer is divided into four regions, each which offers a regional camp for state association ODP teams in each eligible age group. Colorado participates in Region IV. 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 team 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.
