ODP Frequently Asked Questions
General
What is ODP?
Created by US Youth Soccer, the Olympic Development Program (ODP) is a developmental program intended to enhance a player’s performance and supplement the training that players are getting with their full-time club teams. ODP is not intended to replace the training and games that a player gets with their club team; it is designed to act as a supplement. Selected players receive a training schedule, but not a game schedule.
Players who are selected from the Player Pool will play games in events that STX ODP attends, such as Showcase Tournaments, Sub-Regional Competitions or Sub-Regional Showcase, where they will play against other states.
How are players selected for ODP?
Players are selected based on evaluations by state coaches. Evaluations are based on the following Key Player Qualities:
- Game understanding and decision making
- Initiative
- Focus
- Optimal technical ability
- Optimal tactical ability
- Responsibility
How many players make up a Player Pool?
A Player Pool is a group of players that are selected to train throughout the ODP cycle for that year. An ODP pool is typically two full rosters of players per age group. Pool sizes average 24 to 26 players for age groups playing 9v9, and 32 to 36 players for age groups playing 11v11.
Are the players assigned to a team, or teams, based upon their skill level?
ODP players belong to a Player Pool, not a team. The only time teams are formed is if we travel to Showcases or Sub-Regional Showcases during the year. Players are selected for ODP events based on good standing status, ranking in their Player Pool and availability. Selections are made by the head coach of each age group according to a player's ranking in the pool from the training session evaluations.
When and where are training events held?
Training events are rotated around major metropolitan areas in South Texas on Sundays. Training events consist of a morning training session and a late afternoon training schedule.
Player Identification Events
When are STX ODP Player Identification Events?
Player Identification Events take place annually in August/September. Registration for the events can be found on our website and are also announced on our Social Media pages (@stxsoccer) and via email blasts.
How much does it cost to participate in a Player Identification Event and what will they entail?
Player Identification Events cost $50 and consist of technical sessions and small-sided and full-sided games designed to evaluate a player’s technical, tactical, physical and mental ability. These events are held on one day with a morning session and an afternoon session. Players also receive a numbered training shirt.
My child cannot make it to any of the Player Identification Events, may run late or may need to leave early. Is this okay?
We encourage players to attend the entire event if possible so that they can be properly evaluated. The more exposure that players get to the coaches during the evaluation process, the better.
How will I know if my child has been selected for STX ODP after a Player Identification Event?
There is not a specified number (no min/max) of players accepted to the Player Pools, but we aim to keep two rosters per age group. We will limit selections from the Player Pool to rosters of 16-20 when attending events where games are played. Pool players will be selected based on evaluation of performance and ability at Player Identification Events, and players will be selected from the Player Pool based on the same criteria when selecting teams for events.
Please ensure that your primary email and contact information is accurate when you complete your registration to ensure receipt of the email and information. If you have not received an email within two weeks, please email Denise Churchill.
How many players will be selected to STX ODP each year?
There is not a specified number (no min/max) of players accepted to the Player Pools, but we aim to keep two rosters per age group. We will limit selections from the Player Pool to rosters of 16-20 when attending events where games are played. Pool players will be selected based on evaluation of performance and ability at Player Identification Events, and players will be selected from the Player Pool based on the same criteria when selecting teams for events.
My child was in STX ODP. Does he/she have to go through the STX ODP Player Identification Event again?
Players that are selected to the STX State ODP Pool will be invited to continue their participation the following year based on performance during the cycle. As long as players remain in good standing with regard to performance, attitude, commitment and maintaining a current registration, they will continue to be invited back without attending a Player Identification Event.
My child was in STX ODP but took a year off. Does he/she have to go through a player identification event again?
Yes. If there is a lapse in participation in STX ODP, players must go through STX ODP player identification process again to re-enter the program.
My child was in ODP in a different state association. Does he/she have to go through a STX ODP Player Identification Event?
Yes. STX ODP does not have a transfer policy between states, therefore, all players are subject to participation in a Player Identification Event when moving to a new state association.
Eligibility
How is player eligibility determined?
Eligibility for STX ODP is determined by the player’s calendar birth year, not their school year. A child born in 2010 is a "2010" in STX ODP.
My child plays on a Club or Rec. Soccer team. Can he/she still participate in STX ODP? If so, how many games will he/she play?
The Olympic Development Program (ODP) is a developmental program intended to enhance a player’s performance and supplement the training that players are getting with their full-time club teams. ODP is not intended to replace the training and games that a player gets with their club team; it is designed to act as a supplement. Selected players receive a training schedule, but not a game schedule.
Players who are selected from the Player Pool will play games in events that STX ODP attends, such as Showcase Tournaments & Sub-Regional Showcase Competitions where they will play against other states.
My child cannot make it to any of the Player Identification Events, may run late or may need to leave early. Is this okay?
We encourage players to attend the entire event if possible so that they can be properly evaluated. The more exposure that players get to the coaches during the evaluation process, the better.
What to Expect after ODP Selection
How do we accept the offer of a place in the Player Pool and register our STX ODP player after they have been selected?
Registration instructions will be sent in the Letter of Notification email. Players will have two weeks to accept the offer and register for the ODP Pool.
What is the cost for the STX ODP Player Pool?
The 2023/2024 Pool Fee is $350 for the entire year. Players may pay in full at the time of registration, or they may select to pay in two monthly payments. Players may apply for financial assistance by contacting Denise Churchill.
What other costs should we expect?
Players will be required to purchase a uniform and two training shirts. Returning players will be able to continue using their existing uniform as long as the uniform is still being produced so that new players match.
Selected teams will be formed from the Player Pool to attend Showcase events, Sub-Regional Showcase Events and the South Region ODP Camp. Like any tournament, costs of attending these events (entry fees and coaching costs) will be divided by the attending group and paid for by the players. Total costs will be determined once the rosters are set.
All Training Pool Fees must be paid in full in order to participate in STX ODP, and to be eligible for selection to STX ODP events. More information about the dates and locations of these events can be found on our calendar page.
Training & Teams
My son/daughter is out with an injury (i.e., torn ACL, broken arm/leg/clavicle, etc.). How do I make sure they are not dropped from STX ODP for missing training sessions?
Injuries are part of the game and we are understanding of these situations. All that we ask is for player injuries to be communicated with documentation. Please email Denise Churchill with a copy of the player's doctor's documentation and a timeline for when they will return to play so we know when to expect them back.
When will the fall and spring STX ODP training schedules be available?
Calendars for the new cycle are posted on our website in June each year.
Once a player makes the ODP program, what is the time commitment?
Players selected to STX ODP will be invited every fall to register in the Player Pool and train with their age/gender group. We schedule eight double sessions per year on Sundays, with three in the fall and five in the spring. Sessions are subject to cancellation due to inclement weather and make-up training due to unforeseen cancellations are subject to field availability. Players are expected to attend all of the training sessions and must attend at least five sessions to remain in good standing.
My child cannot make it to one of the training dates, may run late or may need to leave early. Is this okay?
We encourage players to attend all training sessions available if possible, but we encourage that their Club/Rec team takes priority over ODP. It is better for a player to arrive late than not at all. Players may leave early if necessary.
Should we expect to travel to tournaments?
Only selected teams will travel to tournaments and events. (STX ODP competes in Regional Championships, Sub-Regional showcase events and college showcase events.)
Are the players assigned to a team, or teams, based upon their skill level?
ODP players belong to a Player Pool, not a team. The only time teams are formed is if we travel to ODP Sub-Regionals, Showcases during the year. Players are selected for ODP events based on good standing status, ranking in their age group Player Pool and availability. Selections are made by the head coach of each age group according to a player's ranking in the pool from the training session evaluations.
Does ODP take into account the players' team schedule when scheduling the training sessions?
We do our best to schedule with as few conflicts as possible for the majority of the Player Pools. However, with the multiple leagues/soccer programs in South Texas, and limited field availability at times, this is not always possible. Should a player find themselves in jeopardy of losing their good standing status due to conflicts, please contact Denise Churchill to discuss options.
When and where are trainings held?
Training events are rotated around major metropolitan areas in South Texas on Sundays. Training events consist of a morning training session and a late afternoon training schedule.
Communication
I did not receive my invitation email. Is there anything I should be aware of?
The following are a few possible reasons players may not have received an email:
- The player may no longer be "Age-Eligible" to participate in STX ODP (i.e., 2006 Boys and Girls).
- The player may not be in "Good Standing" with payments. If a player registered for an event and still has not paid the event in full, they will not receive the email of invitation until their account is paid in full and they are back in "Good Standing."
- Some email servers block GotSport as SPAM. As a result, we encourage STX ODP families to check their junk mail folders and have multiple emails in their GotSport player profiles so that if one email fails, one of the other emails will be received.
How do we know if a practice has been changed or cancelled?
Emails will be sent out using the primary email address in the player's GotSport account.