Why I Send My Girls To ODP

More experiences = better players

There has been a lot of discussion around the Minnesota soccer community in recent months about the validity of the Minnesota Olympic Development Program (ODP).  Some say that it is some of the best training they have experienced, some say it is a political nightmare and money maker for our state soccer association.  Here are my thoughts.

I encourage all the girls I deal with to take part in the program.  I know it is an added expense and can be tough on the families who already spend $2K+ per year with this team.  I'd like to think that I'm fairly conscious of the expenditure associated with our team and would not recommend something that requires additional funds if I didn't think it was worth it.  I believe that personal growth occurs when one steps out of their comfort zone, and ODP provides an opportunity to do just that. 

I grew up playing ODP and many of my best soccer friends came from this ODP group.  I was always one of the best players in my local soccer association, the Rochester Youth Soccer Association (RYSA).  I was also always coached by my dad, from my U10 rec team through varsity high school.  ODP allowed me to get out of my comfort zone, out of my routine, while providing a challenging training environment to boot.

Now for the girls I work with, we already have many of the state's top players in our mix.  I doubt that girls will find better competition at ODP.  Actually, I know for a fact (from watching the ODP sessions myself to the girls/parents comments) they haven't.  Because of this, it is easy for some of the parents to think that ODP is a waste of time.  However, I keep reiterating the importance for these girls, some of whom have been with me for nearly 3 years, to find and experience different coaching styles/philosophies.  This is why I also encourage the girls to attend different camps and clinics in the area as well.  I could be hammering in a technical or tactical idea to a girls and she just might not be able to grasp it.  But another coach could say the same thing in their own, unique way, and all of a sudden it could click in the girl's head.  I'm experienced this myself many times... "Oh!  That's what my dad was trying to tell me!"

Also, all coaches see players differently.  No matter how much I try to keep open opinions about certain girls on this team, I will always see the girls through my own filters.  Another qualified coach at ODP may see something different, and that may spark renewed motivation and excitement in the girls. 

I always wanted to play center forward growing up.  My first ODP coach thought I'd make a great center midfielder and, bolstered by his comments, I returned to my club team and worked hard to try and master my "new" position. 

From a selfish club perspective, and the younger age groups ODP is a great showcase for our players.  In general, some of the top young players come out of our Academy program, and it definitely makes a statement to see all the Carolina blue Nike shorts running around at ODP tryouts. 

Like I've told Ian Barker, our State Director of Coaching, I support ODP and will continue to strongly encourage all the girls I coach to take part in their program.  It is ODP's job to make sure that the girls have a good experience and want to return in future years.