ALABAMA SOCCER ASSOCIATION OLYMPIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM HANDBOOK
TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents 2 About U.S. Youth Soccer 3 Benefits of Participating in Alabama ODP 4 The Process 5-6 Overview 6 o Purpose 6 o The Program 6 Expectations from Parents & Players 6-7 ODP Pyramid 8 Region Camp 9 What is a Region 9 The Purpose 9 Region Camp Held 9 Player Selection 10 Camp Format 10 Games, Practices 10-11 Benefits 11 Cost Budget 12 Financial Assistance 12 Key Contacts 13 2
US YOUTH SOCCER OLYMPIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, REGION III The primary mission is to identify elite level Region III players and facilitate their selection to the U.S. National Team programs. The selection process takes place through state, regional and national trials. The primary benefit to the player is to be able to try out, train and play against the best players in their age group, allowing the best players to further their development as soccer players. It does not replace a player's involvement on a team with an ASA member association, but rather supplements that experience. US YOUTH SOCCER ODP PHILOSOPHY To identify players of the highest caliber on a continuing and consistent basis, this will lead to increased success for the U.S. National Teams in the international arena. PURPOSE The US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program was formed in 1977 to identify a pool of players in each age group from which a National Team will be selected for international competition; to provide high-level training to benefit and enhance the development of players at all levels. OBJECTIVES Ensure the elite players from each state are represented at the regional evaluation level. Ensure the regional coaches are comprised of professional, college, high school and club coaches of the highest ethical standards. Ensure the regional coaches evaluate the best players against each other from the 12 states in a fair and impartial manner. HOW DO I PARTICIPATE? Contact your local US Youth Soccer State Association office to find out more about getting involved with US Youth Soccer ODP. Alabama Soccer Association 205/991-9779 www.alsoccer.org PROGRAM DESCRIPTION HISTORY In 1979, the program expanded, the organization became more efficient and multi-year plans were developed. State Associations were encouraged to develop programs which supported and worked in tandem with National and Regional programs. At the beginning of 1982, a formalized program for girls was created, with the addition of a full committee (one member from each region). CURRENT ORGANIZATION From 1982 until the present, international events for youth national teams have increased substantially and the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program has kept pace by instituting trials and player pools for five age groups in the boys program, and five age groups in the girls program. 3
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATING IN ALABAMA ODP? The Olympic Development Program is an integrated and comprehensive approach that provides multiple benefits to players: The primary benefit to the player is to be able to train and play against the best players in their age group. This allows the best players to be with the best in order to further their development as soccer players. Development as a player. Players are challenged by training/playing with the best players from across the state in his/her age group while competing against the best-ofthe-best from the other states spanning the southern US. The individual player s development is enhanced because he or she must learn to adjust to varying groups of teammates. This requires the player to respond to the varying styles, strengths, weaknesses and abilities of the other elite players, rather than becoming dependent on habits of a fixed group. Quality instruction from nationally licensed coaches. Quality competition. Games against other state association ODP teams. Exposure to regional and national team coaches. The opportunity to represent our state, region, and country in competition. Exposure to college coaches. An opportunity to exhibit that a player can play outside of their comfort zone, in unfamiliar surroundings with unfamiliar players. 4
WHAT IS THE PROCESS WHAT SHOULD YOU EXPECT? OVERVIEW Purpose The mission of the Alabama Soccer Association is to identify and train the elite player, so they may qualify for state, regional and national events. Through the years, clubs have become modern and sophisticated, with year-round programming circulating around player development. The Olympic Development Program acts as a supplement, giving elite players opportunities to play with and against the best, while providing them exposure at the regional, national, and international levels. Alabama Soccer State Staff is comprised of coaches at the club, high school, and college levels. All coaches are nationally licensed, and are committed to enhance the development of each player, while assisting them in obtaining college scholarship opportunities. The Program 1997 2000 Age Groups Scouting Alabama Soccer will institute a scouting system for these age groups, which will be the primary method for identifying players. We believe a player competing in their own environment gives a more accurate assessment of his or her strengths/weaknesses. Reducing the calendar for these athletes limits overtraining and decreases overuse injuries. Players can be evaluated primarily in events, such as State League, Region 3 Premier League, National League, State Cup, and Southern Regionals. The scouting staff will consist of ASA, Region 3, and US Soccer personnel. The ASA Technical Director will coordinate and have final approval on invitations to the ASA State Pool. It should be noted that Club DOC s can also recommend in writing players to be evaluated. This enhances the relationship between club and ODP, allowing clubs to participate and make the program meaningful for all parties involved. Identification Below are the following ways players will be identified and invited to the program 1. State team members from previous season will automatically be invited 2. The players who have been identified through the scouting system 3. Combine There will be an open trial (late fall) for any player that was potentially overlooked in the process The above groups will comprise a squad of players called the State Pool. The State Pool phase will take place in the Winter. This phase will consist of approximately 4 training opportunities. 5
Selection After the winter training sessions/events, 22 players (18 players and 4 alternates) will be selected in each age group to represent the State Team. The state team will continue to train/compete and represent the state of Alabama at Region 3 Camp in July. 2001 Age Group Alabama Soccer offers a format to our youngest age group, which will expose our players to the program and staff. We hold a tournament, open to any 2001s. 02s may be eligible, based on recommendations from the club s DOC. The tournament is a weekend event held in December, where players are placed on teams and participate in games. Each team has a district staff coach which manages the group throughout the weekend. State Staff will observe and evaluate players, gaining input from the district staff as well. It is at the tournament where we select the top players to form a State Team in each gender and represent Alabama. The State team will continue to train/compete and represent the state of Alabama at Region 3 Camp in July. EXPECTATIONS FROM PARENTS AND PLAYERS Parents: Alabama Soccer Association appreciates the time and commitment parents make on behalf of their sons and daughters. This information packet was developed in an effort to educate both parents and players of the ODP process. Please utilize this information packet as a tool to answer most of your questions as well as giving you an insight into our ODP program. Parents must be sensitive to the pressure that most players feel when participating at ODP events. Your positive encouragement toward ALL players at ALL times is appreciated. Please be aware that training times are not to be used for coach/parent conferences. Communication should be arranged through the ODP administrator/technical Director. IT IS THE PARENTS RESPONSIBILITY TO CHECK E-MAILS AND OUR WEBSITE PRIOR TO ALL TRAINING DATES FOR UPDATES AND OR CHANGES. Please pay particular attention to ALL deadlines and instructions for various activities. Adherence to these dates is the key to reducing hassles and costs. IT IS THE FAMILIES RESPONSIBILITY TO RESPOND TO COORESPONDENCE FROM THE STATE OFFICE. If your player wishes to withdraw from the program please contact the ODP Office Admin via email of your intentions and to formally withdraw. Players: Alabama Soccer Association provides several avenues for the players to improve, but it is the sole responsibility of all players and their own enthusiasm and commitment to excellence, to make an impression on coaches and evaluators during the tryout process in order to be selected as a member of the Alabama ODP Program. All Alabama ODP players are expected to attend all training sessions. Any absences must be communicated to the Alabama State Office. Players are expected to communicate all concerns to the coach or the ODP administrator. Lastly, at this level of competition, devotion to the game of soccer is paramount for success. 6
The Olympic Development Program expects a lot from its players: Commitment to Excellence Work Hard Play Smart Devotion Personal responsibility Attendance players are expected to attend all training/competition events, and any absences must be documented. All ODP events are scheduled around club commitments (ASA play dates, State Cup & College Showcase) therefore players are not expected to miss events. 7
ODP PYRAMID 8
REGION CAMP WHAT ARE REGIONAL CAMPS? US Youth Soccer is divided into four regions; each offers a Regional Camp for state association ODP teams in each eligible age group. The camps are designed to provide high level training and competition for these elite participating players. During this training and competition, players who are capable of performing at a higher level of play are identified for possible National Pool and National Team participation. REGION IV REGION II REGION I REGION III WHAT IS A REGION? US Soccer split the country into 4 regions for administrative and logistical purposes. The four regions are known as Region I (Northeast), Region II (Midwest), Region III (Southeast) and Region IV (West). Each region comprises 12-14 states. We are in Region III, together with GA, FL, SC, NC, TN, MS, LA, STX, NTX, OK, and AR. Each Region has a Region Board presided by a Region Director. Each Region also runs the Region ODP. The Regional Director appoints a Region ODP Administrator and a Region ODP Head Coach who, together, are in charge of running the ODP at the regional level. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF REGION CAMP? The main purpose of Region Camp is to evaluate the players from all the states within our region and select a region pool of players in each age group for further evaluation and competition. All the states send their state teams to camp and play each other in front of the regional staff coaches. The other purpose of region camp is to expose the players to a higher level of competition and contribute towards their personal development through challenging games and training with high level region staff coaches. WHEN IS REGION CAMP USUALLY HELD? Region Camp is usually held in late June and early July each year. The two genders have their own separate camps, each at a different location. Since there are 4-5 age groups to evaluate, the camp is organized into 5-day-long sessions, with each session accommodating one or two age groups. At the end of the 5 day camp, a region pool is selected. 9
WHAT IS THE PLAYER SELECTION PROCESS AT THE REGION LEVEL? At Region Camp, players play against other states each day and are evaluated for selection into the Region Pool in each age group. At the end of camp, a Region Pool of 30-40 players is selected. The Region Pool in most age groups is held over at camp for another 2-3 days to train under the Region Coaches. In the months after camp, Region Teams of 16-18 players will be selected in each age group to participate in National camps, Inter- Regional events, and/or international trips. The National Staff Coaches attend these events and evaluate players for inclusion into National Pools. Please refer to the section on Region Camp below for more details on camp format and regional selection process. To provide some perspective here, since each region selects a similarly sized pool, when a player is selected for the region pool, he/she is considered in the top 120-160 players in the country in his/her age group. Once a player is selected for a region team, he/she is now considered in the top 60-70 players in the country. WHAT IS REGION CAMP FORMAT? Boys and girls camp vary slightly, but players typically arrive and check in the afternoon of the first day. The state coaches run their own practice on the first evening, after which everyone attends the Opening Ceremonies and dinner. The second, third, and fourth days are similar in format, with one practice session and one game per day. The practices are run by the region staff coach. The fifth and final day typically has a game in the morning, after which the region pools are announced and the state teams depart around lunch time. On some of the evenings, region pool games are used, where players who excelled in the previous state vs state games are pulled from their states and organized into teams and play a game watched by all the region staff. These pool games are important for the selection process as they pit the best players in camp against each other to see who can handle the speed of play and belong at the next level. HOW MANY GAMES AND PRACTICES IN REGION CAMP? The key objective in region camp is to maintain a good balance between work and rest, to make sure the players can show their best when it matters. For that reason, players have one game and one practice per day on full days (day 2 to day 4) and one practice or one game on half days (days 1 and 5). Whenever possible, players who are selected to play in pool games sit out their state team game so they don t play two full games on the same day. It s not fair on the players to make selections based on fatigue-induced performance since there is so much at stake. The summer heat and humidity combined with the higher intensity and speed of play at region camp require significant rest periods between activities. Region camp is not like a standard college summer camp or a club tournament, where players are on the field for long periods playing or working on technique. Region camp is a test of ability, not a marathon of games. It s about quality rather than quantity. A fact often ignored is that games at region camp require a higher expenditure of energy than regular club games or scrimmages. The higher the skill level, the longer the ball is in play, the less time for recovery, the more intense the sprints and more wear and tear on the body. Games at the elite level require more rest and recovery. In lower level play, the ball takes longer to get from one area of the field to another and the ball is out of bounds more often due to inferior skill. This allows players to rest more and catch their breath while the ball is away from their area. Games against weaker opponents are also less physically demanding since the ball stays in the same half for long periods. In the past, Region camp used to last six days and involved more games. Camp duration and 10
number of games were recently reduced because mental and physical fatigue became an issue. The camp has evolved into a format that features less field sessions and more lectures and presentations to reduce down time and educate the players on the needs and requirements of elite athletes. WHAT BENEFITS DO PLAYERS WHO ARE NOT SELECTED TO REGION POOLS GET FROM REGION CAMP? Region camp has many other benefits for all the players. It is a chance for players to challenge themselves and gauge themselves against the best in the region. Good players thrive on playing against quality opponents and region camp provides a competition level that is rare. Experts tell us that for elite athletes to reach their potential, they need to play around 30-40 quality games per year where they are pushed by equal or superior opponents. The typical ODP player doesn t get a sufficient doze of such games at the club level because many of these club games are against inferior players. Other than a few top-of-the-table clashes or top club tournaments, club games lack quality on a consistent level. ODP activities and region camp provide additional quality competition to supplement the club competitions. Region camp can be an aspiring experience. Many players, who are used to being the best in their club team, get a rude awakening at region camp. They get exposed to the very best and become motivated to work harder and make the region pool the next time. For some players, region camp is a humbling experience. They come home highly motivated and with a new perspective. Player development is a long process, a journey affected by many factors and experiences, some positive and some negative. It s hard to measure the impact each experience has on a player and hard to account for the intangibles. But many top American players look back on their experience at an ODP region camp as one of the turning points in their growth. Region camp exposes all the players to the top college and national staff coaches. College coaches regard ODP participation and attendance in region camp as an indication of the players ability and ambition. The opportunity to represent your state is another benefit. Pride in accomplishment, meeting players and coaches from other states, and learning a little about oneself and coping with adversity are some of the intangibles as well. If the players who lift a trophy are considered the only beneficiaries of an event, everyone else would be missing the point. 11
TENTATIVE BUDGET 2013-2014 Event Description Info Fee ALL Age Groups (97-01 s) One Time Registration Fee $30.00 State Training 4 Training Dates Players will need to register online prior to each Training Date. $150.00 ($37.50 per session) ODP 01 Tournament See page 6 for more info. $50.00 Sub-Regional January Event Boys NC Girls GA (97-00 s) $100.00 Alabama Showcase March Event (97-01 s) $100.00 Region Camp Dates are end of June through mid- July State Team selections only (97-01 s) $600.00 Estimated Yearly Cost 1997-2000 s: $980.00 Estimated Yearly Cost 2001 s: $930.00 FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE There are a limited number of scholarships available, most are partial scholarships. Scholarships are given on a financial need only basis. The application form is available on Alabama Soccer Association s website, under ODP ODP Forms. 12
KEY CONTACTS Role Name Contact Info Executive Director Tom Condone Tom@alsoccer.org Technical Director Zac Crawford Zac@alsoccer.org ODP Admin Tricia Love Trish@alsoccer.org Please contact the ODP Admin via email if you will be unable to attend a practice or ODP event. ALABAMA SOCCER ASSOCIATION 4678 Valleydale Road, Suite 200 Birmingham, AL 35242 205/991-9779 office 205/991-3736 fax www.alsoccer.org 13