The US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (ODP) was established in 1977 as a nationwide process dedicated to the identification and training of players for State, Regional, and National Teams. US Youth Soccer ODP has programs in all 55 State Associations and the United States is divided into four (4) ODP Regions - Kansas is a part of Region II which is comprised of the 14 state associations in the Midwest, which stretches from Ohio to the Dakotas and from Kentucky to Minnesota. Region II has a population base of over 75 million people and over 850,000 soccer players! Regional teams are selected for the U13 - U17 boys and girls.
Selection to the Kansas State Team is a first step in this process. Kansas State Select Teams attend Region II ODP camps. At Regional Camps, a Regional pool of players is named in each age group (except Developmental Ages). From these Regional pools, the National pools and teams are formed. Selection at each level (state, regional, national) is generally based on the 4 components that make up a soccer player: Technique; Tactics; Fitness and athletic ability; and, Psychological component (attitude).
This program is the place for talented players who are actively working toward furthering their young adult careers in soccer. It can be especially important to gifted players from small high schools or less successful club teams as it provides invaluable exposure to coaches, trainers and athletic directors from around the nation. State Teams will be chosen for each age group and those teams will attend regional camp with the opportunity to advance to a regional team.
Attendance is critical in the ODP Program. The more that a coach sees a player, the better the coach's ability to make player selections. Players who miss more than 50% of scheduled practices may be placing their potential for selection to the state pool in jeopardy. Attendance will be taken at every scheduled state training session and event.
If you have questions, please contact Mark Sheldon, Director of Coaching for Kansas Youth Soccer , at coaching@kansasyouthsoccer.org or (913) 782-6434 ext. 202