ODP Questions and Answers           

1.  What is the Olympic Development Program (ODP)?

The ODP is the state process of identifying and preparing players for Regional Camp.  There are 14 states in each of the four regions.  Alaska is in Region IV.  Players develop and compete for Regional Team positions.  If selected for regional team in their age group, a player is invited to attend regional events and is in the pool for the Youth National Teams.  If selected for National Team, players attend National Team activities and events.

2.  How do other states prepare their players to be successful in their Olympic Development Program?

Each state has their own system, included can be weekly training, monthly training, mini-camps, day camps, residential camps, and tournaments (both domestic and abroad). The states that do more are more successful.  No states are getting the absolute best players all the time.  All states wrestle with activity level and associated costs.    Few if any states have significant money reserves dedicated to ODP.  The idea of having monetary reserves for ODP, however, is an important one which we will get to just a bit later.

3.  What do other State Directors of Coaching say about their state's ODP?

Current and past DOC's from all over the nation have indicated that there is no perfect system.  The only perfect system is one which has no costs to the player and all the best players attend.  There is no program in the US that is at no cost to the player. Therefore the systems and costs employed in the rest of the states are varied based on proximity and activity/preparation level. 

4.  What are the trends in our soccer region, Region IV?

As you have read in the tryout information on the web, Region IV has determined that it will only be allowing full teams to come to regional camp this year.  Individuals can still attend even if there are not players enough in their age group to form a team.

5.  What did the Alaskan ODP players face last summer at Region IV Camp?

Following asking both Alaskan players and coaches who attended Region IV Camp, all indicated that looking back, they wished they had been able to do more to prepare. It was tough to see Alaskan players who were on the verge of good if not great things unable to fully perform because they were experiencing initial cohesion issues, in the dorm and on the field.  Introductory experiences which can and should happened earlier.  Player familiarity is the first step to team cohesion, there is no substitute.  After that we begin to think about playing soccer together.  There are no experiences in team soccer which coaches would ever think of putting players in such advanced situations where there is no preparation.

ODP Regional Camp is unlike any other soccer experience.  The program presents more opportunity for advancement than camps, clubs or high school programs.  At regional camp players have to train, play games, and also live together effectively to be successful as a player and as a team. 

6.  What at the base principles and needs necessary to running an effective ODP program?

Administrative Success
Well Organized and Quality Coaching Staff
Providing a professional environment
Goal Setting
Good Communication to players and parents
Providing a bias free selection process
Utilizing a budget to determine and pay for associated costs
At least a minimal amount of interaction and training as a team prior to Regional Camp
Identifying ways to place money in OPP reserves without it coming from the
players

7.  Who is responsible for the costs associated with ODP?

Alaska has it's unique challenges, proximity and weather notably.  These are factors that will not change.  However the development of players, teams, and program cannot be shortchanged due to understood challenges. The defining question is how can we raise ODP money to defray travel costs and whose responsibility is it? The responsibility rests on both the ODP player/family and ODP program itself.  Younger ODP players are actually at the most risk in not being able to participate as they do not have any contribution money, are inexperienced at fundraising and have, if any, few ways of earning contribution money. Parents will bear the cost of participation during the younger age group years.  Parents have to play a role in helping young players understand that if ODP is a Long-Term development tool for them they will have to begin thinking about their contribution to be allowed to participate.  Older ODP players have more experience, the ability fundraise or to earn contribution money.  Some parents of ODP players at this age group continue to bear the cost of the program viewing ODP as a Long-Term process and a normal supplement to club soccer. So, now you ask how does the ODP program plan to bear its responsibility for managing player fees. 

First be assured that the program is bare bones as it is.  Last year 2002/03 players didn't even get as much as an ODP training shirt due to costs. 

Second, be assured that much effort and care is being taken from the board and it's contractors to minimize costs as much as possible without shortchanging the development of players and teams over the course of their ODP career. Do know that the state Director of Coaching personally cares very much about the financial level of commitment placed on our kids and will ALWAYS be committed to keeping things as low as necessary to run an effective and responsible ODP program.

Third, within the year, Alaska ODP is dedicated to presenting proposals to the AYSA board leading to creating ODP money reserve dedicated to scholarships for players qualified for need without it coming directly from the players and families.

8.  What did some of last years players say about attending ODP Regional Camp?

Question 1 - What did you like most about attending Region IV ODP Camp/Tournament?

Boys Responses:

"The amount of games we got to play"
"The level of play.  I like playing with better players.  Also the campus was very nice"
"I enjoyed the competition and the new coaching methods I encountered"
" Meeting my fellow AlaskanÕs from around the state.  I enjoyed competing at a higher level for the limited minutes that I did"
"The standard of play and the drive to play is far better than in Alaska which is great because it makes me push myself"

Girls Responses:

"The morning games.  Getting to meet other people from various places"
"Food, learning new things and meeting new people"
"How they incorporated fun, learning and soccer all into one"
"The staff and the opportunity"
"Playing at a higher level"
"Playing the games.  They were really fun and the competition was good"
"I liked that all the players had the chance to play with players from other states.  I also enjoyed the sessions because we could all work on our different parts of the game"

Question 2 - Please describe the standard of play at Region IV ODP Camp.

Girls Responses: 

"You need to follow rules and be prepared when you get here (conditioning, ready for competition and hard work"
"High level of play, lots of competition"
"A lot harder and quicker"
"High standard, no goofing off"
"At Region IV the play is more indirect and compact with a lot of 1-2 touch passing"
"Intense and skillful"
"It's a high standard, but reachable for those who want it"
"It was competitive and everyone was really nice"

Boys Responses:

"It is way higher than I am used to playing.  A lot faster and a lot more demanding"
"High level of technical and speed work is needed to compete.  As well as a high rate of thought"
"This camp brings my level of play way up from Alaska.  It makes me play with more passion and heart because all of the players have as much interest n the game as I do"
"Intense, fast, physical, skilled, smart"
"The standard of play was pretty high.  You are expected to be ready and to perform at a higher level"

Question 3 - Do you feel that this experience was a worthwhile activity in your development as a soccer player?

Girls Responses:

"Yes"  "Yes"  "Yes"  "Yes"  "Yes"  "Yes" "Yes"  "Yes"  "Yes"
"Well, it made me realize that if I try then I think I would have a chance to make the team"
"Yes, it helped me grow as a player and realize my weak/strong points and emphasize it"
"Yes, it was a helpful experience"

Boys Responses:

"Yes it really shows what the level of play is outside of your state"
"Yes, I learned a lot as a player and developed a lot over the week"
"It was a very good experience, I learned what it requires to compete at the highest levels"
"Yes", "Yes it opened up my eyes to how good the play is down south and what it takes to play college ball"
"Yes because of the high level of coaching and play"
"Yes"

Please email the State Director of Coaching at ftrovato@gci.net with further questions. Go Alaska ODP! ... F. Trovato