OBJECTIVE/PURPOSE

The US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program has been in existence since 1977. The program was introduced to help identify potential national team youth players through an organized series of trials which begins at the district level, progresses through the state, region and finally the national level. The program also serves as a means of development as the players identified are brought together for training and prepared for interstate, interregional and international competitions. The development of the players is taking place rapidly as talented players are brought together for training and competition at all levels. Training and playing with those of equal or greater ability is a tremendous teaching tool. The program is open to any youth player.

The higher up the ladder a player progresses, the more intense the training and playing become. The regional teams experience both interregional and international competitions on an annual basis. A pool of players is selected for each age group with the rosters changing each year as players develop at different rates. Regional players have traveled to Florida, Las Vegas, San Diego, France, England, Costa Rica, Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands.

While the US Youth Soccer ODP is one vehicle for development and identification, it is not the only method. All programs work together to help the players attain their ultimate potential. The US Youth Soccer ODP does provide a systematic method that allows players to advance as far as their abilities allow. It serves as a form of self-evaluation in a system that is recognized by coaches at all levels.

Many of the top coaches in this country are involved with the program beginning at the state level. The US Youth Soccer ODP provides young players with a high level of competition and outstanding coaching as well as exposing them to regional coaches, national coaches and the leading college coaches across the country.

For the 2008–2009 seasonal year, the 12 age groups are as follows:

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DISTRICT SELECT

2008–2009 Eligible Age Groups: 1995, 1996 and 1997 ONLY

The entry level age groups for US Youth Soccer ODP participate in the District Select Program in the fall and on one weekend in the spring. The program is open to all players and includes four training sessions and two one-day festivals. At the conclusion of the process, a pool of approximately 36 players (for 1995, 1996 & 1997 boys and girls) will be identified for further training and potential selection to a regional camp in July 2009. The District Select Program offers an ideal opportunity for players to sample the program without the pressure of a traditional tryout situation.

Players of all competitive levels are encouraged to take advantage of this experience. Participation in the District Select Program is not an essential prerequisite to future participation in the US Youth Soccer ODP, however, the earlier a player's skills and potential are identified the more help it can be to the evaluations of district, state, regional and national coaches.

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STATE SELECT

2008–2009 Eligible Age Groups: 1992, 1993 and 1994 ONLY

This program is open to all players born in the eligible birth year and begins with two identification sessions in late April. At the conclusion of the identification process, a pool of approximately 24 players per age group and gender under the eligible State Select birth years will be selected for further training and potential selection to a regional camp in July 2009. Players of all competitive levels are encouraged to take part in this program.

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PHILOSOPHY

The development of players in Minnesota is primarily the responsibility of our affiliate clubs and US Youth Soccer ODP should not interfere with that development. It is the responsibility of MYSA to supplement that development by identifying and allowing the best players in the state to play along side each other and against other select teams domestically and internationally. The success of US Youth Soccer ODP is a direct result of the quality of players, coaches and level of competition within Minnesota.

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CALENDAR
Unless otherwise noted, all girls regional camps are held in DeKalb, Ill. and all boys regional camps are held in Rockford, Ill. Holdover and Call-back camps are by regional invitation ONLY.

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HOW DO PLAYERS SIGN UP?

Refund Policy

HOW ARE PLAYERS SELECTED?

Beginning in September the younger age groups are selected (40–50 players) through the District Select Program, which includes training and competition. The older age groups (24-30 players) are identified through open tryouts generally held the following Spring.

A player may also be identified and asked to join at anytime during the year. It is the MYSA State Coaches responsibility to provide the best 18 players in their respective age groups. They will scout games throughout the year looking for player talent.

Selection is not an easy task for age group coaches. The head coach uses input from other qualified coaches at the identifications to make the final selection.

Players are evaluated on the four components that make up a soccer player:

1. Skill
2. Tactics
3. Fitness and Athletic Ability
4. Psychological (attitude)

Of the components mentioned, skill the player's ability to control the ball under game conditions is usually the determining factor.

Because of the volume of players attending selection and efforts to keep costs to a minimum we are unable to provide written individual evaluations on all players. We remain available to discuss selections with players and their coaches.

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WHAT ARE REGIONAL CAMPS?

US Youth Soccer is divided into four regions, each one offers a regional camp for state association team in each eligible age group. The camps are designed to provide high-level competition and training for participating players. During this training and competition, players who are capable of performing at a higher level of play are identified for possible national team camp, pool, or team participation.

WHAT IS A NATIONAL CAMP?

National Camps and Interregional events are held throughout the year at various locations in the United States. The National Team Coach or a National Staff Coach is present at these events to observe, train, and identify players for placement in the national pool or on a national team.

Candidates identified at regional events may be invited to attend a national camp.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATION?

1. Development as a player. The opportunity to train and play with the best players in one's age group.
2. Quality instruction from nationally licensed coaches.
3. Quality competition. Games against other state association teams.
4. Exposure to regional and national team coaches.
5. The opportunity to represent one's state, region, or country in competition.
6. Exposure to college coaches.
   

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