We are just starting the ODP process. My son has generally enjoyed playing, but has been frustrated because his coach immediately decided that he should play center back even though he plays center mid (about 75% of the time) and forward (about 25% of the time) for his club team. He has rarely played defense and does not feel comfortable there. The coach has told the parents that he wants to move kids around and see them at other positions. This sounds good, but it's not true. Most of the kids are playing the same positions we've seen them play with their clubs, and my son has consistently played center back. The coach has not tried him at midfield or forward. How does he avoid being pigeon-holed as a defender? He's concerned that he's never going to be given the option to play elsewhere. BTW, he has had 3 different club coaches in three years (only one team). All put him at defense initially (he's a big kid), then moved him back up within a couple of games after they realized that the ball ended up in front of our goal a whole lot more when he was on defense than when he played midfield. He is not a flashy player, but he is good at possessing the ball in the midfield, and distributes it well to the forwards.
He has played defense since the first game. A different coach played him at several different positions during the weekend-long tryouts. His current coach moved around the complex during tryouts and saw only bits and pieces of tryout games. Once they selected the team he was slotted in at center back.
Doesn't sound good ... the possibility is that he was put there solely because of the coach's perception of his body type, which would be pretty bad if true. Just speculation, of course. Always a lottery when it comes to coach's opinions. It's not as if they are consistent. Mine played midfield last year at club. Went to ODP, the coach told him he was too stupid to play in the midfield, but that since he was fast and good on the ball he would play forward. Came back to club, was assigned a different coach than the previous year, and the new coach decided that he was ... a central midfielder, because he read the game well. So, whatever. You takes your chances.
That is our suspicion. There are two other kids who play midfield for their club teams who are playing primarily defense on ODP. Both are on the taller than average. There are only one or two kids on the team that play defense for their club teams, but the coach seems to be trying only the taller kids in the back.
Initially missed the second half of your post by failing to scroll down. Any coach who would tell a kid that he was too stupid to play a position shouldn't be coaching. I'm amazed how the coaches tell the parents one thing (what they think they want to hear) and tell the kids another.
Well, there you have it. It's not a very developmental mindset, more like a "building a team for today" mindset, but that happens a lot. My boy overheard an excited coach tell a national pool player, "You're going to be the anchor of my Regional team." How putting together a winning U13 Regional team equates with "development," well I leave that for somebody else to tackle.
In fairness, I don't know what he said. My son came home and told me, "He thought I was a brain-dead forward and too stupid to play midfield." How the actual conversation went, I don't know. Probably not quite in those words, though.
My son (U-14) just received word he's been selected to ODP Region IV camp. I don't know what it means that he's made ODP, but it does mean something. I know it doesn't mean he's a superstar or stud player, because I know there's several other players that may have been selected but weren't for one reason or another. There's always a bigger fish in the pond syndrome. To boot, being from such a small population base, the odds are stacked highly against our favor. What I've seen from the selection process so far is that, in general, the coaching and instruction is better than the norm. Also, playing with team mates and other like teams will only lift up his own personal game, more so than the usual club teams. We also hope to gain and learn of other opportunities to lift his game too. Basically by being involved with your kid's development you'll learn of other methods, philosophies, or opportunities. Even reading posts from JohnR, Voro, George etc... helps me learn and form my opinions of what 'socccer' should look like. My kid is doing the same thing. I don't know this is new to me and others have been there done that...but I'm trying to be realistic, not read too much into it, but yet take the positive out of the whole experience. Your thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.
depends on the way the state/local program is run. In theory, it's a way to bring the best players together on a single team for each age group. In practice, it may be something else.
CingRed, Region IV camp is held in Oregon every year on different dates in June or July for different age groups. If your son is "held over" he will be there about 10 days. The Regional Pool and eventually the Region IV team will be picked from players at camp. It will be a great experience for your son. He'll meet kids from all over the western U.S. You can get more info from the Region IV website.
Having read posts in the Sockers vs. Magic thread (i didn't read them all...dang they need to cap that post!) it appears the coaching experience and depth is substantial in other regions. That is not the case here, so yah I'm hoping my son receives great coaching and lifts his game to his peers. In addition, if the experience leads to other doors being opened that would be great too. As for "some players from small states"...Alaska is not a small state but I know what you mean.
Thanks for the information. I hope gets held over, but I am not optimistic. He's very skilled technically, but physically small and immature. Plus, I don't know about their criteria in which they evaluate players at this age. It's very ackward age for him now,. I find myself trying trying to keep his spirits up until he gets threw this age. If he keeps a positive long term outlook, I think he'll do just fine.
My son was at U14 camp last year and he told me about an amazingly skilled, but very tiny boy, who was selected for regional camp. He was extremely small....I don't remember his exact height, but I want to say around 5' 1"...and maybe less! The coaches noted that this was excellent, because such small players really do need to rely on excellent skills as they just can't get away with pure power.
Some camps, they take a lot more little guys than big guys. You can't assume what body types will be in favor.
I've previously posted quotes, on this thread, about some ODP evaluators not wanting to take Joe Max Moore onto an ODP team because he was too small. Here's another interesting one: - Claudio Reyna, from his book "More Than Goals", Considered, arguably, the best player the U.S. has ever produced, Two-time Parade Magazine High School Player of the Year, Three-time national champion and All-American at Univeristy of Virginia, voted NCAA College Soccer Player of the 20th Century, participated in 1994, 1998 and 2002 World Cup, 2002 FIFA World Cup All-Star First 11 (first such honor for an American), former U.S. National Team captain, former Captain at German first division (Bundesliga) team Wolfsburg (first American to captain a first division European club), former Captain at Scottish first division team Glascow Rangers (where he was affectionately refered to as "Captain America" by the fans and media), former Captain of English first division (Premiership) team Manchester City, current captain at New York Red Bulls (MLS) I wonder what the coach that didn't play Reyna thinks to himself when he reads Reyna's book and sees what Claudio accomplished throughout his career?
Interesting story. These days, you talk to an ODP coach the way that Claudio's dad did, it wouldn't be pretty. Parents aren't supposed to watch, much less even talk.
John R;11266325]Interesting story. These days, you talk to an ODP coach the way that Claudio's dad did, it wouldn't be pretty. Parents aren't supposed to watch, much less even talk.[/quote] Thats crazy, it has to be a family sport, no matter the level or age bracket, the odp is awesome but all the talent in socali wont go to odp and i honestly think more talent will not be on odp than there is on odp Right now my daughter hates playing on a high level club cause of the lack of fun and inspiration the parents are horrible the coaching is awesome but distant and the kids are not friends, all that equals a non soccer environment for my daughter she needs friends, pool parties, good coaching, one on one coaching and supportive parents to make her one of the best and those elements of soccer are hard to find on "most" high level clubs or structured programs
ODP ?....It won't matter soon the way they are bringing kids in from all over the world. I was reading an article on the US Soccer site that spoke of the players being brought in for the US 17's. Of the 40 in camp it states that 10 are immigrants from Africa...players that they have identified as the real deal.It goes on to say the way Mulqueen works with immigration lawyers to get them passports, visas, etc. Apparently they feel that there isn't enough "American Born" talent here for future development. I'm all for helping kids out everywhere, but thats 25% of the players in camp.
Ya I don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing. Sounds like trying to make citizens out of good young players rather than taking citizens who are great young talents and grooming them. Also sounds like it is an easy way out of some of the problems that are associated with Bradenton...they aren't producing these kids, theyre just puting them in red/white/blue instead of whatever their home countries colors are due to the $ here, these kids are getting used to save jobs i feel...
Also my general feelings on ODP are that if you are at a medium to small club ODP is a great thing and a great avenue to be seen and trained by "professional" coaches. These trainers will probably be a step up from what you would get at most small to mid sized clubs. HOWEVER, if you are at a major club ODP is simply a star on a resume for these kids. The coaching in most cases is probably a step down, and the talent that you play with, at the local and state levels, are also probably below that of most of the top club teams. Sad but true, if you play for one of the big boys, save your money, and if you are good enough...they will get you into regional and national level camps if you deserve it and earn it through being evaluated in major tournaments or events like Nike Friendlies. ODP is a dinosaur for kids at major clubs.