Cal South and ODP
Cal South's ODP program is considered the finest program of its kind in the country through two simple but undeniable facts: because Cal South continually places a large number of players on the Regional and National Teams, and because Cal South has won more National and Regional ODP championships than any other state association. Cal South is proud of the fact that Cal South ODP players have historically made up anywhere from 75% to 80% of the US Youth Soccer Region IV pools and teams. No other state association can boast such numbers. Cal South has a long tradition of providing players to the Men's and Women's National Teams, many of whom have gone on to play for the U.S. in the World Cup and Olympic Games. Players such as Marcelo Balboa, Paul Caligiuri, Cobi Jones, Joe-Max Moore, Eric Wynalda, Jovan Kirovski, Landon Donovan, Shannon Boxx, John O'Brien, Chad Marshall, Marvel Wynne, Maurice Edu, Chris Seitz, Robbie Rogers, Joy Fawcett, Rachel Buehler, Julie Foudy, Carin Jennings, Danesha Adams, Amy Rodriguez, Jonathan Bornstein, Sacha Kljestan and Angie Woznuk have all been a part of the Cal South ODP Program at one point in their soccer careers. The Cal South ODP program is open to all eligible youth soccer players within the confines of Cal South, from Paso Robles to the north all the way to the Mexican border to the south
What is the Olympic Development Program (ODP)?
Initially created in 1977 as the US Youth Soccer Select Team Program, the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (ODP) was formed for several purposes. First, to identify a pool of players in each age group from which a national team could be selected for international competition. Secondly, to provide high-level training to benefit and enhance the development of players at all levels. Lastly, through the use of carefully selected and licensed coaches, the ODP program develops a mechanism for the exchange of ideas and curriculums to improve all levels of coaching. US Youth Soccer ODP is the only elite player development program that can claim members of Major League Soccer and the former Women's United Soccer Association, as well as a majority of current and past national and youth team members, as alumni. It is viewed as the premier identification and development program for any American youth seeking the opportunity to compete at the national and collegiate levels of play. Olympic Development teams are formed at the state association and regional levels, and are 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 skills through training and competition. From the state pools and subsequent teams, players are identified for regional and national pools and teams.
What are the Benefits of Participating in ODP?
- Development as a player via training and playing with the best players in your own age group
- Quality instruction from nationally licensed coaches
- Quality competition through games against other state associations ODP, Regional and National Teams, and international teams
- Exposure to National and Regional Team coaches
- The opportunity to represent one's state, region or country in competition
- High-level exposure to college coaches
- The opportunity to compete for Regional and National Championships
- A chance to see the world: US Youth Regional ODP teams have traveled to any number of places, both domestically and internationally
How are players selected for ODP?
Starting in the 1999/2000 seasonal years, Cal South implemented a new process for player identification for selection to the Olympic Development Program. This process relies on the use of a comprehensive player scouting system to identify the top players in Cal South. There are a number of ways players can be selected for ODP in Cal South. Club players can be recommended by club technical directors, directors of coaching, team head coaches and even opposing club head coaches can recommend players through our online recommendation form. Private trainers and parents cannot recommend players. How the system works: individual players that are recommended from September to November will be scouted in league play if possible. The main identification event for Cal South will be the Cal South State Cup Presidents Division and the Cal South National Cup competitions, where we scouted 700 games in 2009. Both annual events take place from February through May, and these will be the only official scouting events within Cal South.
2009/2010 ODP Age Groups
| 93 Girls | 1/1/93 - 12/31/93 | 93 Boys | 1/1/93 - 12/31/93 |
| 94 Girls | 1/1/94 - 12/31/94 | 94 Boys | 1/1/94 - 12/31/94 |
| 95 Girls | 1/1/95 - 12/31/95 | 95 Boys | 1/1/95 - 12/31/95 |
| 96 Girls | 1/1/96 - 12/31/96 | 96 Boys | 1/1/96 - 12/31/96 |
| 97 Girls | 1/1/97 - 12/31/97 | 97 Boys | 1/1/97 - 12/31/97 |
| 98 Girls | 1/1/98 - 12/31/98 | 98 Boys | 1/1/98 - 12/31/98 |
| 99 Girls | 1/1/99 - 12/31/99 | 99 Boys | 1/1/99 - 12/31/99 |
| 00 Girls | 1/1/00 - 12/31/00 | 00 Boys | 1/1/00 - 12/31/00 |
Region IV
US Soccer divides the country into four regions. Region I / Region II / Region III / Region IV
Cal South is located within Region IV with 13 other State Associations.
Region IV Events
ODP Regional Championships // January 17-20 // Phoenix, Arizona
International Tours
Boys and Girls (January-March)
U13-U14 National Team Camp
Boys and Girls (July/August)
ODP Interregional Event in Florida
Boys and Girls (Thanksgiving)
Training - Winter Cycle Competition (Regional Championships, Arizona)
Info on Winter Pools
- Winter Administrative Fee: $100
- Age group pools: up to 40 players can be invited into the winter player pools for each age group. Ultimately, 18-20 players are selected from each current age group pool to represent Cal South.
- Training dates:
Dec 6, 13 & 20, 2009 and January 3 & 10, 2010
US Soccer ID games for '94, '95 & '96 Boys: January 31 & February 7, 2010.
The '93, '94 & '95 Boys' and Girls' age groups in the winter cycle will train on Sundays to prevent conflicts with their high school teams.
- ODP Regional Championships:
January 15-19, 2010 // Phoenix, Arizona
Fee: $295, which includes room, food and transportation.
If successful at Regionals, the '93 and '94 Boys and Girls will carry that success forward to the US Youth Soccer National ODP Championships in Arizona from March 11-14, 2010. (All expenses for the National ODP Championships are paid for by Adidas/US Youth Soccer).
- Note: The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) has approved these training sessions and events, and they will not impact their high school eligibility.
Training - Summer Cycle Identification (Regional Camp)
Info on Summer Pools
- Summer Administrative/Training Fee: $100
- Age group pools: Each of the three oldest age groups initially names between 40-50 players and then narrows each pool down to 24 players. 18 players in each age group will travel to represent Cal South at Regional Camp.
- Pool Training Dates: Mandatory Training Weekends
May 15-16, 2010 -- '97 Boys & Girls
May 29-30, 2010 -- '94, '95 & '96 Girls
June 5-6, 2010 '--94, '95 & '96 Boys
All pools will train on additional dates TBA
- Regional Camp Dates and Locations:
Boys Regional Camp in McMinnville, OR // Cost $475
June 30-July 5, 2010 -- '96 & '97
July 6-11, 2010 -- '94 & '95
Girls Regional Camp Girls in Stockton, CA // Cost $475
June 29-July 3, 2010 -- '94
July 5-10, 2010 -- '95 & '96
July 11-16, 2010 -- '97
Regional Pool event: August 3-8, 2010 in Southern Cal // Cost $325 (Players must pay this fee if selected by Region IV)
- Notes: The actual cost of attending a Regional Camp is $875. However, Cal South subsidizes every player's transportation to Regional Camp, reducing the cost to $475. 14 State teams are brought into one location, and each state team trains and plays games each day. At the end of Regional Camp, a Region IV pool will be named and the players will be invited to attend a Pool Camp Event.
Youngest age group event (Boys & Girls)
- Nike Friendship Cup in Beaverton, Oregon // Memorial Day Weekend
- Notes: Approximately 75 players will be named to the pool. We have the potential of taking 36 players named (2 full teams) to this event.
At the completion of the summer and winter cycles, each of the player pools are re-scouted based on individual and team needs. All pools can have players released or added.
US Youth National Teams
| U14 Boys National Youth Team | U14 Girls National Pool |
| U15 Boys National Youth Team | U15 Girls National Pool |
| U17 Boys National Youth Team Residency | U16 Girls National Youth Team |
| U18 Boys National Youth Team | U18 Girls National Youth Team |
| U21 Men's National Team | U20 Women's National Team |
| U23 Men's National Team (Olympic Team) | U23 Women's National Team |
| US Men's Full National Team | US Women's Full National Team |
Responsibilities of players and parents
Players
- Devotion to the Game - Players are expected to take their participation in the program seriously and should be committed. This level is typically represented by players who have selected soccer as their sole competitive activity.
- Time Commitment - Players are expected to attend all training sessions, games and events. Any absences must be documented and approved by the Director of Coaching/ ODP Program Coordinator.
- Communication - PLAYERS, not parents, are expected to communicate with age group coaches and ODP administration.
- Pay Attention - Complete all paperwork and pay particular attention to ALL deadlines and instructions for various activities.
- All players must wear Nike training gear issued at all Cal South Events
- Players are evaluated ON AND OFF THE FIELD AT ALL TIMES
- Check the Cal South Team Information Line before attending training sessions
Scholarships are available based on financial needs, it will be the players and parents responsibility to have all forms in to the administration when due. Each player must pay a minimum of $150 towards the approved event. The following events are approved as National ID events: Regional Championships, Regional Camp, events not included Nike Friendship Cup, State Development Camp.
Parents
Cal South asks that you be sensitive to the pressure that most players feel when participating in these events. Your positive encouragement toward all players, at all levels of state team functions, is appreciated. Please limit your contact with coaches/selectors during these events. Cal South appreciates the time and commitment parents make on behalf of the players.
As a reminder, the higher up the ladder a player progresses, the more intense the competition becomes. Players with the regional teams will experience both interregional and international competitions on an annual basis. At the state level, a pool of players is selected for each age group at the beginning of each training cycle. A player who is in a pool can be released or added for each cycle depending on the player's development rate.
While ODP is one vehicle for development and identification, it is not the only method. All programs work together to help the players attain their ultimate potential. ODP does provide a systematic method that allows players to advance as far as their abilities allow. It serves as a form of self-evaluation in a system that is recognized by coaches at all levels.
Many of the top coaches in this country are involved with the program beginning at the state level. ODP provides young players with a high level of competition and outstanding coaching as well as exposing them to the leading college coaches across the country.
Cal South ODP Contacts
| Cal South Director of Coaching and Player Development
Steve Hoffman shoffman@calsouth.com 805.331.1522 |
Cal South ODP Program Coordinator
Kathy Hoffman khoffman@calsouth.com 714.715.2528 |
| ODP Age Group Information Line
800.417.4391 | |