Do you see your ODP players as being your best or star players on the team. My son did ODP for 3 years we never felt he was a star or key player, just an average one with good work ethic and no attitude. We were happy that he made the ODP squad and he did get to do some traveling, additional training and founds some good friends along the way. Reason why I ask my son's team has 4-5 players who were far more experienced and talented players who also tried out for ODP same time every year and never made the roster. Not to open the floodgates or want any bashing of ODP. I just ask my self and this forum how many of the better players slip thru the try out cracks and never get to shine with ODP experience.
-
-
We have several ODP players on our roster. Are they the best on the team? At forward, maybe. At midfield, no. At Defense, maybe. There are some really good players on the squad and I would say of the best 9, the top 4 are ODP. I know that at one point or another all have tried out for ODP. Some years some make it and oddly enough, some years they didn't. So to answer your question I would say 'Yes' some of the better players slip through the cracks. Maybe it is so many players, too few evaluators? Favoritism? (maybe)Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
After watching the try out process for several years I have come to the (probably unpopular) conclusion that if you play solely a defensive position, (other than strictly keeper) your chances of making the team are drastically reduced. If you play defense AND mid, your stock goes up and if you play mid and forward, you have a legitimate shot. (IF you possess the skills that is) I have never seen a strictly defense player make it. I'm sure there have been and probably are all the time. I just have never seen it. I am a huge fan of ODP. Anytime a player can get coaching from a top quality coach and get some PT against and with top quality players, they will develop better and better skills.
I know I am going to get some flack but this is just my opinion and I hope it helps. -
Our best players are ODP players. We also have good players that aren't on ODP.
I haven't been that impressed with ODP coaching, but the ODP experience is the best training my child has received because of the competition.Comment
-
We do have some players that are very good that do ODP. We also have some players who do not do ODP and are very good. My daughter has done ODP for three years now. It has been my observation that the "star" ODP players are in fact outstanding. There are many people on the ODP teams that in my opinion are average. I guess it is like anything else, it varies from person to person. The players that get rostered on ODP are generally very good with a couple of inconsistencies. Having said all of that, our experience with ODP has been exceptional. Evenso, I know other parents who would not agree.Comment
-
Our best players are ODP players. All think it has been a great experience and will be doing it again next year. 1 or 2 who probably should have made it who didn't, but a tough call.Comment
-
From the girls side, I've heard the best players aren 't out there. If ODP didn't ask for such a time commitment you would see the strongest out there. Most of the exceptional athletes on teams are doing what they love, playing sports. By that I mean basketball and ODP runs into the basketball season. I know a few girls who would be top ODP regional players, but love sports to much to give up basketball.Comment
-
I am certain that ODP misses a few players because of the time committment. Personally, I don't get it. I don't think it takes that much time. There are 2 to 3 months where things get hectic with ODP activity and the rest of the time there is nothing going on. As for ODP attracting the strongest players, I think it actually does. I am familiar with all the teams in our age bracket and I am familiar with the outstanding players from these teams. Most of them are participating in ODP.Originally posted by Unregistered View PostComment
-
I may have to agree with this post. I have heard the same from both ODP & non-ODP players. Now throw in the expense factor and you can bump that number up considerably.Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
I am sure there are many who don't try out who would be great ODP players. Then, as a previous post eluded to, there are some who make it who probably shouldn't have. I think it all evens out in the long run.Comment
-
Totally agree. There are exceptions of course where a few top players are not playing, but otherwise I believe there simply are a number of players who do not play who are right in the middle - may be able to make ODP but would not make or break the team one way or the other.Originally posted by Arsenal_U14G_Fan View PostComment
-
Just to second this, I'm familiar with the same teams and I completely agree. Having watched these girls for years, most of the standouts are on ODP (like your daughter ;-)Originally posted by Arsenal_U14G_Fan View PostComment
-
From the mouth of a parent very involved with ODP: "if you're going to ODP for great training- don't. You'll experience better training with your club coach/team and save money doing so. If you're going to ODP so your player can have extra soccer, more touches on the ball-get involved with ODP."Comment
-
I agree with this as well. I don't think ODP is as much about the coaches as it is about getting to play with many of the best and against many of the best. From a competition standpoint it is difficult to duplicate in club soccer.Originally posted by Unregistered View PostComment
-
I'm curious about this. (Not agreeing or disagreeing.) At least for the 96G, the primary coaches were Gaff, Frasier, and Angela, all of whom I believe are very well respected. Is it that there is not enough time with them, inconsistency because of possible training/coaching differences between ODP and Club, etc.? thanks.Originally posted by Unregistered View PostComment
-
I don't think the coaching is bad, in fact it is quite good. The girls really don't train all that much with them so it isn't as though you are going to learn that much. Especially given that the majority of the players are from club teams that also have top notch coaches. To me, it is all about length of training time.Originally posted by Unregistered View PostComment
-
As parents we all have tunnel vision on our own kids soccer skills. Your sons skills may have been ingredient "X" or the "the glue" that they were missing. Coaches see things that us parents are just not able to pick up on, that is why they are coaches. It is in the best interest coaches to pick the best players period. By in large I believe they do a good job of selecting the cream of the crop players. Do they occasionaly miss the mark Hell yes they do. Plain and simple just part of life.Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
To answer your question " Are the ODP players the best players on your team"? Short answer is YES.
Long answer if I was playing Fantasy soccer with our team, there is a handful of non ODP players I would pick over ODP players every time. That is if fantasy soccer existed ."Keep in mind I'm a parent with tunnel vision".
I have heard some parents call it ODPP&P " Only Deep Pocketed Parents and Players" LOL
I like the idea of ODP and what it offers. The only reservation with ODP I have it seems like fatigue and nagging injuries are fairly common with overtraining and the clubs they play for end up paying the price..Comment
Comment