This page is meant to provide you with answers to some common questions about ODP. More specific answers will be contained on the pages in the menu on the left. You can also review our ODP Parents' Manual .
LOUISIANA ODP PHILOSOPHY
The primary responsibility for the development of all players belongs to the clubs. It is the responsibility and function of Louisiana ODP to identify, select, and develop the state’s elite players to compete with and against each other in preparation for regional, national, collegiate, or professional opportunities. Success at the ODP level is directly tied to the high level of the players, coaches, and competition in Louisiana. For ODP to be a true success, LSA must work in cooperation with club coaches, club officials, local associations, and parents.
WHY ODP?
ODP is a soccer environment focused entirely upon the development of each individual player. It augments a player’s development in the club soccer setting. Because there are no wins and losses, league standings or championships. ODP players are free to train, grow, learn and develop without the pressures of achieving outcomes. They are encouraged to be creative and to play outside their comfort zone. Mistakes and failures are embraced as a tool for learning. ODP also provides opportunities to play in regional, national and even international competitions and a potential pathway to play at the collegiate, regional, or national level of competition.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATING IN ODP?
- Development as a player
- Opportunity for selected players to train and play with the best players in their age group
- Quality instruction from nationally licensed coaches
- Exposure to college coaches for the older age groups
- Exposure to Regional and National Team coaches
- Opportunity to represent Louisiana, the South Region, and the United States in competition
- Opportunity to compete for Regional and National Championships
- Opportunity to participate in foreign trips
WHAT TYPE OF PLAYER IS ODP LOOKING FOR?
ODP is an elite program. It brings the best players in Louisiana together to train, learn and develop together and to play with and against elite players from across the region. Players are chosen not only on the basis of their technical abilities and their tactical awareness, but also on their commitment to the game and their own improvement as a player.
WHAT IS EXPECTED OF ODP PLAYERS?
ODP demands total commitment from all involved. Coaches and players are expected to attend every ODP training session and event. Missing an ODP event does not only diminish a player’s own development, it disrupts the process for other players as well.
WHAT TAKES PRIORITY?
Conflicts between Club and ODP scheduling will inevitably arise. LSA has established the following list of priorities to help players and their families decide how to resolve scheduling conflicts.
1. Any National ODP Event (e.g. training, games, camp or showcase)
2. Region III ODP event (e.g. training, games, camp or showcase)
3. Region III Premier League games
4. Louisiana State Championship games
5. Louisiana ODP event at which intra-regional games will be played
6. Louisiana Competitive Soccer League (“LCSL”) games
7. Invitational tournament with LSA affiliated club team
8. ODP State Pool training
9. ODP State Pool tryouts (ODP tryout dates are to be posted on the LSA website on or before
60 days prior to tryout dates)
10. LSA affiliated club team training
11. LSA affiliated club team tryouts
12. All other soccer events
WHAT DOES ODP COST?
ODP is a zero-based program. The costs to run ODP are passed on to the players, but ODP does not operate at a profit. ODP Costs are listed on the ODP Calendar and Costs page. Payments for ODP are on an installment plan. Payment in full is expected and refunds can only be granted if a player is prevented from participating due to injury or other compelling circumstances.
WHICH AGE GROUPS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR ODP in 2019-2020?
- 2003 – 2007 – Eligible for selection to the South Region ODP Pool and beyond.
- 2008 –Eligible to participate at the Louisiana level and, if selected to the State Team, and if selected to South Region ID camp. South Region pool selection is up the Regional ODP staff.
- Teams in each age group will be formed if a sufficient number of elite players try out.
WHAT DO ODP TRYOUTS LOOK LIKE?
ODP players in Louisiana are selected through a highly competitive open tryout process. Some players may receive an invitation to try out based upon a coach’s recommendation, but an invitation is not required. Tryouts are designed solely to evaluate players. They will receive no coaching at Tryouts. Players will simply play in different soccer environments. The process is standardized and focused entirely on the objective evaluation of each player.
DOES ODP CONFLICT WITH HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER?
NO! ODP is specifically exempted from LHSAA regulations and high school players are permitted to participate in ODP during the high school season as noted in the LHSAA Handbook section 4.2.9 #6. Click Here.
CAN PLAYERS BE ADDED TO ODP AFTER THE TRYOUTS ARE OVER?
Only in circumstances in which a player is injured or ill during the ODP tryout period, will he or she may be invited to a try out. This try out will be at one (1) ODP training session.
WHAT IS SOUTH REGION ODP?
- South Region ODP camp is a five-day long residential camp that continues the training, observation, evaluation process initiated at the state level.
- The US Youth Soccer South Region is composed of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, North Texas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Texas, and Tennessee.
- The purpose of ODP Regional Camp is to select the best players from these southern states.
- International Teams and Academy programs will come in and play against the Region pool and state teams.
WHO IS ON SOUTH REGION ODP STAFF?
The South Region staff is composed of:
- College Coaches
- Pro-Academy coaches
- Club coaches
- ODP staff coaches