What Is The South Carolina Olympic Development Program?

The South Carolina Olympic Development Program or ODP is the start of the identification process for the National and Olympic Teams. The South Carolina Youth Soccer Association conducts the program for US Soccer under the jurisdiction of the US Olympic Committee. The purpose of this prestigious program is to identify players on the basis of open tryouts and develop them to represent their state, region, and the United States in soccer competition.

ODP teams are formed in each of the 55 US Youth Soccer State Associations and four regions and are made up of the best players in the various age groups. At the state level players are selected to participate in pool trainings throughout the winter and based on their performance at those trainings, players are then invited to attend state combine.

At the state combine the players who will make up the South Carolina ODP State teams are selected. Those teams, made up of 18 players, then go and participate in the Region III ODP camp, which includes trainings and a tournament of the state teams. From this camp players can be selected as Regional Pool Players and are provided with the opportunities to represent the region in international (overseas trips) and National events. At the National events players are seen by National staff coaches and are eligible for National team selection.

Any soccer player is eligible for consideration in the ODP process provided he or she meets the age requirements for their age groups, which is based on birthdate in a calendar year.

What years are eligible to participate in South Carolina ODP?

For 2011-2012 South Carolina ODP will hold tryouts for players born in 1995-2001

Players born in 1995-1999 are eligible to make the South Carolina State Team and travel to ODP Region III camp.
Players born in 2000-2001 will participate in Their District Team, they will play against the other 2 state districts and may be asked to participate on a state team to compete against other states.

How are players evaluated and selected for the State team?

Tryouts and training session are conducted by coaches who are recognized for their ability to identify and train players with superior skills. All of the coaches are members of the South Carolina ODP staff and their coaching experiences range from club to head college coaches. All coaches have at least a National D license, most have an A license. The coaching staff and selection process is overseen by the South Carolina Youth Soccer ODP Director of Coaching Van Taylor.

Players are evaluated by four major components:
• Technique
• Tactics
• Fitness and Athletic Ability
• Attitude

South Carolina ODP is for serious soccer players who have a love for the game and have hopes of playing in college, professionally and for the US National team.  EVERY YEAR THE PROGRAM STARTS FROM THE BEGINNING – NO ONE IS GIVEN A SPOT. Players change each year physically and emotionally. Players who may be physically mature at an early age may be surpassed as others mature. Any player can be released and replaced during the process. Although we are looking for the best players, we DO NOT select players from exclusively winning clubs. The focus of the ODP is a player’s overall development, not tournament wins.

Players are expected to participate in as many ODP events that they can make, behave responsibly, conduct themselves in a professional matter and always challenge themselves to get better.

What are the benefits of participating in South Carolina ODP?

Although there are many good soccer training sources, the ODP process is the one most recognized throughout the United States as the best way to identify top quality players who can perform in any environment and still cope with everyday demands.

The direct benefits for players are:
• Development as a player 
• Quality Instruction from Nationally licensed coaches and special sessions held by professional coaches
• Quality competition. You will train and play with the best players in your age group
• Exposure to regional and national team coaches
• Opportunities to represent South Carolina, the Midwest and   the US in national and international

competitions
• Exposure to college coaches

South Carolina ODP has seen its players exceed at the regional and national level with players regularly selected for the Regional Pool and National Pool Events.

What is the Region III Camp? 

US Youth Soccer is divided into 4 regions and South Carolina is in Region III. Each region hosts a regional camp for ODP participants each summer. The camps are designed to develop the elite players selected to attend through high-level competition and training. During the training and competition, players who perform at the highest level are identified for possible National team camp. For those players in age groups 1995-1997 a player could be identified to be “held over” for Holdover Camp. The players selected to be “held over” are announced at the closing ceremony for the Region III camp. Players who are held over and perform at the highest level can be recommended for National Team Camp. The 1998 and 1994 age groups are not eligible to be held over but could be invited to a National Team Camp for additional training. For summer 2011, the girls’ camp is held in Montevallo, AL, and the boys’ camp is held in Tuscaloosa, AL. The teams selected to attend these camps will be announced in mid-April. The cost associated with this camp is estimated to run at $750 per player and includes bus transportation, room and board for the duration of the camp. For players selected to attend Holdover Camp, their room and board is covered, but the parents will need to provide transportation home from the event. Please see the calendar for dates.

What is the Code of Conduct for SCYS ODP? 

As a member of our state’s program, you are representing South Carolina at all training sessions and games and thus positive attitudes and proper decorum are expected. This applies to parents and players alike. Parents and Players must adhere to the Code of Conduct for ODP. Players and parents are required to sign the “Participants Agreement to Accept and Abide by Rules of the Program.” Players who violate the rules of the Code of Conduct will be dismissed from the program immediately. ODP has a Code of Conduct for players and a Code of Conduct for parents. Parents are not allowed to yell from the sidelines to the players, coaches or referees during tryouts, practices or games.   Parents will be asked to leave the premises if this occurs. Parents are not allowed to interact with coaches until after teams have been selected. Any questions in regards to tryouts should be directed to SCYS Director of Coaching, Van Taylor (vtaylor@lander.edu).

What are the Player’s Expectations? 

Players are expected to always give their best effort.  The teams are selected based on players’ enthusiasm and commitment to excellence and this level that is shown at tryouts is expected to continue throughout the ODP experience. Accepting a position with ODP requires commitment to the program and the process. The following will be continually evaluated from each player:

· Commitment to excellence

· Hard work ethic

· Personal integrity and responsibility – each player must sign the Code of Conduct. Violation of the

contract will be dealt with fairly and firmly.

· Attendance – players are expected to attend all training/competitive events and any absences must

be documented, as well as approved by the Team Manager, Coach and/or ODP Administrator, Greg

Vallee.

· ODP state-wide training dates are scheduled around SCYSA play dates therefore players are expected

to attend!

What are the Parents’ Expectations? 

SCYS ODP appreciates the time and commitment parents make on the behalf of their players. It is the parents’ responsibility to check emails and the SCYS ODP website prior to all training dates. Fields can be closed unexpectedly for reasons other than weather. Please pay particular attention to ALL deadlines and instructions for events and activities. It is the parents’ responsibility to respond to all correspondence in regards to ODP information and events. Not responding in a timely manner will jeopardize the player’s opportunity to participate in an event.

For more details about the South Carolina Olympic Development Program contact Greg Vallee at gvallee@scysa.org.