ODP Friendlies

[Guest]

This is where we disagree. My daughters played ECNL and were dissuaded from playing ODP because they were starters and played most of the game. For 75% of there team and I would say 85% of GA teams that is not enough in my opinion. Too many parents are too arrogant and think that ODP is a step down. ODP would be beneficial to those players for reasons previously stated and as a positive addition to their resumes with college coaches. Go look on social media and see how players throughout the country talk about their experience at ODP tournaments and add video footage. That gets the attention of college coaches. Those things really work in addition to your club. You people do not think about the bigger picture and see those benefits. It’s just easier for you to be negative which is to the detriment to your daughters.

This is accurate. ODP is very important to Ivy league and other programs. It is actually part of the application. Don't you think its better to check yes than no and explain why you didn't join or make it? How does this sound to Harvard: I did not do ODP because my parents think its low level and I play ECNL so I am good. Come on--all the kids applying play ECNL and are good. You need as much as possible to stand out. Every little bit helps.

[Guest]

This is accurate. ODP is very important to Ivy league and other programs. It is actually part of the application. Don't you think its better to check yes than no and explain why you didn't join or make it? How does this sound to Harvard: I did not do ODP because my parents think its low level and I play ECNL so I am good. Come on--all the kids applying play ECNL and are good. You need as much as possible to stand out. Every little bit helps.

You are out of your mind if you think any Ivy League coach really cares about ODP. This might be the most absurd comment on the value of ODP.

[Guest]

At U13, ODP is a fun complement to ECNL. My daughter likes the additional time training and playing, and she's very social so she likes meeting new players. Most of her ECNL teammates don't do ODP though, and I can see where it would be too much once the team starts playing more showcases in the later years. For non-ECNL players, I think it can be a good way of getting more exposure and training.

[Guest]

I let my daughter decide on whether to continue with ODP or not. Some find value and others don’t. It sounds like the value is higher in NJ than PA. Very few ECNL or GA players in PA are playing ODP once they hit HS years. Too many conflicts and club takes priority for almost all the girls. Plus too much soccer in the fall when you add in high school training.

Counting just that EPA link to the 07 Girls team I counted at least 5 girls that are listed on ECNL teams. Also how do they have to much soccer in the fall when EPA ODP has all of 3 tryouts in Sept (if they get called back) and 3x hour and a half long practices spread over 2 months?

State ODP is what it is, another way to get noticed by a college coach your kid is trying to get in front of. If you go in thinking that the training is going to be uber elite or that every player is a superstar then you are going to be sorely disappointed. What they will get is over all great competition against other players they may not ever face, a new perspective on coaching/playing, some new friends and maybe if they are good enough the ability to move on to the Region tryouts where the competition gets tougher. If you are a parent or player who thinks ODP is bad because your kid didn't make it or the team loses/doesn't play well then you shouldn't be here. Every year I see players not come back mid season because either they or the parents think this way. My D was on a horrible team last year, lost every game they played, her team still had as a half dozen players selected for the Eastern ID Camp and a few of them made the pool.

The take away is this, ODP can only help a college resume. No coach that recruited a player turned them down because they played ODP. ODP is not only about your skills as a player but your adaptability to a new coach, new system and new players which are all things a perspective recruit should be excellent at. Top ECNL and GA teams may not need the exposure but seriously what does it hurt?

[Guest]

Counting just that EPA link to the 07 Girls team I counted at least 5 girls that are listed on ECNL teams. Also how do they have to much soccer in the fall when EPA ODP has all of 3 tryouts in Sept (if they get called back) and 3x hour and a half long practices spread over 2 months?

State ODP is what it is, another way to get noticed by a college coach your kid is trying to get in front of. If you go in thinking that the training is going to be uber elite or that every player is a superstar then you are going to be sorely disappointed. What they will get is over all great competition against other players they may not ever face, a new perspective on coaching/playing, some new friends and maybe if they are good enough the ability to move on to the Region tryouts where the competition gets tougher. If you are a parent or player who thinks ODP is bad because your kid didn't make it or the team loses/doesn't play well then you shouldn't be here. Every year I see players not come back mid season because either they or the parents think this way. My D was on a horrible team last year, lost every game they played, her team still had as a half dozen players selected for the Eastern ID Camp and a few of them made the pool.

The take away is this, ODP can only help a college resume. No coach that recruited a player turned them down because they played ODP. ODP is not only about your skills as a player but your adaptability to a new coach, new system and new players which are all things a perspective recruit should be excellent at. Top ECNL and GA teams may not need the exposure but seriously what does it hurt?

Well said. This year in particular it appeared the talent level was higher for NJ. My kids teams beat every state they played which wasn’t the case in past years.

[Guest]

This is accurate. ODP is very important to Ivy league and other programs. It is actually part of the application. Don't you think its better to check yes than no and explain why you didn't join or make it? How does this sound to Harvard: I did not do ODP because my parents think its low level and I play ECNL so I am good. Come on--all the kids applying play ECNL and are good. You need as much as possible to stand out. Every little bit helps.

You are clueless

[Guest]

You are clueless

Yup- Like it’s hard?

[Guest]

This is accurate. ODP is very important to Ivy league and other programs. It is actually part of the application. Don't you think its better to check yes than no and explain why you didn't join or make it? How does this sound to Harvard: I did not do ODP because my parents think its low level and I play ECNL so I am good. Come on--all the kids applying play ECNL and are good. You need as much as possible to stand out. Every little bit helps.

ODP only matters (and very little) if you are not playing in a competitive league (and can explain why - distance, etc). Then, you can say that you did ODP to get better competition as nothing else was available to you. Even then, you had better be on the regional team because the state teams are basically open to anyone who cares to join.

[Guest]

Better competition than GA league games but I guess that’s to be expected when you put together top players across leagues. Very impressive and great exposure.

Agreed! Do not let the naysayers deter you.

[Guest]

ODP only matters (and very little) if you are not playing in a competitive league (and can explain why - distance, etc). Then, you can say that you did ODP to get better competition as nothing else was available to you. Even then, you had better be on the regional team because the state teams are basically open to anyone who cares to join.

This is spot on.

[Guest]

Agreed! Do not let the naysayers deter you.

This is not spot on.

[Guest]

ODP only matters (and very little) if you are not playing in a competitive league (and can explain why - distance, etc). Then, you can say that you did ODP to get better competition as nothing else was available to you. Even then, you had better be on the regional team because the state teams are basically open to anyone who cares to join.

The competition in VA was very impressive but then again everyone is entitled to their opinion. Kudos to those that were amongst the hundreds who tried out in each age group and made the cut of a very few select. ODP Proud!

[Guest]

The competition in VA was very impressive but then again everyone is entitled to their opinion. Kudos to those that were amongst the hundreds who tried out in each age group and made the cut of a very few select. ODP Proud!

Agreed. It’s a humbling experience when you are a top ECNL player and cannot make the ODP team. It’s good prep for college showcases where players have to stand on their own and show their talents. Many NJ kids have been at the same Club since they were little and were automatically absorbed into ECNL. ODP is a tryout and you cannot lean on your club. If for nothing else it shows your kid where he/stands in the state. If they are a top ECNL player and believe they are the best then going to tryout should be a cake walk and they would make the team easily and be the top player.

[Guest]

Agreed. It’s a humbling experience when you are a top ECNL player and cannot make the ODP team. It’s good prep for college showcases where players have to stand on their own and show their talents. Many NJ kids have been at the same Club since they were little and were automatically absorbed into ECNL. ODP is a tryout and you cannot lean on your club. If for nothing else it shows your kid where he/stands in the state. If they are a top ECNL player and believe they are the best then going to tryout should be a cake walk and they would make the team easily and be the top player.

NJ 06 girls wasn’t that good last year. Doubt they had many ECNL players. PA team was much better as they won the region and that was with most of the PA ECNL players not showing up due to club conflicts.

[Guest]

Agreed. It’s a humbling experience when you are a top ECNL player and cannot make the ODP team. It’s good prep for college showcases where players have to stand on their own and show their talents. Many NJ kids have been at the same Club since they were little and were automatically absorbed into ECNL. ODP is a tryout and you cannot lean on your club. If for nothing else it shows your kid where he/stands in the state. If they are a top ECNL player and believe they are the best then going to tryout should be a cake walk and they would make the team easily and be the top player.

I don't know the boys' side, but on the girls' side, NJ ODP took every player that came to tryouts. They didn't cut anyone. At the older age groups (high school), most ECNL girls don't have the extra time to go to ODP, and the extra training/exposure is not something they need.