Frequently Asked Questions
New Jersey Youth Soccer and US Youth Soccer
Olympic Development Program (ODP)

1. What is ODP – Goals/Objectives: (Badge above left)
It stands for Olympic Development Program. Per the 1978 Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act, it led to the creation of the United States Olympic Committee (“USOC”) and gave it the authority of organizing, coordinating and directing grass roots/youth sports throughout the county – per Section 22506 of the Act.
The goal of the USOC Olympic Development Program is to support programs which identify, evaluate and develop players for its National Team programs in all sports. The overall objective is “to support these initiatives on a continued and consistent basis, in order to improve the success of all U.S. National Teams at the international level.”

US Soccer’s role under the USOC is to be the National Governing Body (NGB) for soccer throughout the nation. They review, recommend, coordinate, certify, oversee and monitor ODP initiatives on a continual basis to ensure players are developed for the US National Teams and to ensure compliance with USOC requirements.

(Badge above right) New Jersey Youth Soccer is a National State Association body under US Soccer, and US Youth Soccer is a National member as such they have been approved by US Soccer to run an ODP.
The US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program has been in existence since 1977. It was the first program introduced to help identify potential national team youth players through an organized series of trials which began at the district or local level, progressed through the state, region and finally the national level. The current 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 affiliated with US Soccer.
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 around the country and internationally such as Spain, Italy, France, England, Argentina, Costa Rica, Germany and Russia.
While the US Youth Soccer ODP is one vehicle for development and identification, it is not the only pathway under US Soccer. 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.

2. What are the advantages and benefits?

- Identification into the highest youth state level system
- Development as a player, the opportunity to train and play with the best players in one’s age group
- Quality instruction from nationally licensed coaches
- Quality competition, games against other National State Association teams
- Exposure to US Youth Soccer Regional and US National Team coaches
- The opportunity to represent one’s state, region, or country in competition
- Exposure to college coaches – over 90% of the coaches at the state and regional level come from top NCAA Men’s and Women’s soccer programs

3. Who is eligible to participate?
The ODP follows the Federacion de Futbol Association (FIFA the governing body of Soccer worldwide) calendar, unlike the Club calendar, to determine eligibility; as such the program is open to all players born in the eligible birth year (see below). The U13-17 age groups begin with 4 sessions/opportunities to be identified in early August. At the conclusion of the initial identification process, a pool of players per age group and gender under the eligible birth years will be selected for further training and potential selection to the Final State Team Roster which will take place in early April. All players selected for the final roster will be invited to take part in further training and competition culminating in the Regional Camps in July.
2014–2015 Eligible Birth Year Age Groups: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002 (we do offer a program for U11s and U12s called our Young Olympians Program this season they consists of players born in 2004 and 2003 respectively)
For the 2014–2015 ODP Season, the eligible age groups are as follows:
Birth Year Age Group Date of Birth
2004 (U11) Boys & Girls

2003 (U12) Boys & Girls January 1—December 31, 2004
*Young Olympians Program starts Fall 2014
January 1–December 31, 2003
*Young Olympians Program starts Fall 2014
2002 (U13) Boys & Girls January 1–December 31, 2002
2001 (U14) Boys & Girls January 1–December 31, 2001
2000 (U15) Boys & Girls January 1–December 31, 2000
1999 (U16) Boys & Girls January 1–December 31, 1999
1998 (U17) Boys & Girls January 1–December 31, 1998

4. How does one sign up?
Interested players must register by going online to the NJYS ODP website www.NJYouthSoccer.com and establishing an account through GotSoccer. Follow the directions for registering. Please be sure to fill in your email address correctly so you can receive a confirmation.
ODP Identification vs. Club Selection Process: The US Youth Soccer and New Jersey Youth Soccer ODP is an identification not a selection process; unlike a club selection process where players are selected mainly to play and win league games, league championships and tournaments. In a selection process usually the “early bloomers” that is the strongest, fastest and more agile players are selected over those players who may still be physically, cognitively, emotionally and socially behind their peer group. The ODP seeks to identify both, those who have developed their skill to be able to play at the ODP Level, AND those who have the “potential to develop”. Ideally the goal is to play the game at its highest level.
5. How many players are identified?
Identified players are initially invited to compete in a State Pool for their respective age group. Pool size depends mostly on the talent that shows up in each age group. Every age group is a little different, but roughly there are anywhere from 50-75 roster spots. In the final U13-17 State Teams a total of 25 players are selected from the Initial Pool for team competition—this number could include players selected to the prior season’s Regional Pools/Teams and National Pool/Team Players— (U13 and U14s have more than 1 Team).
How many pool/team roster spots are devoted to goalkeepers? Because we base this on the talent that shows up to our trials there are not any real hard numbers of goalkeepers. A minimum of 2 goalkeepers are selected to the U13-U17 Final Team Rosters for each team but sometimes coaches will select 3.
6. How are players assessed and evaluated?
It is the State Coaches’ responsibility to identify the best players in their respective age groups.
The number of candidates to observe and the limited time present a huge challenge to the age group coaches throughout the tryout process. The head coach uses input from other qualified coaches and assessors at the sessions to make the selection.
Players are assessed on where they are currently in their soccer development regarding the following areas:
- Technical Speed – Ball Control
- Game Intelligence – Situational Awareness and Game Understanding
- Body Control – Athleticism, Conditioning
- Personality – Mental and Emotional Control, Attitude on and off the field
Of the areas mentioned above, the player’s ability to make some form of noticeable impact on the game, and handle the demands of the game at the ODP level are usually the determining factors.
Because of the volume of players that compete in the tryout process, and the limited time and efforts to keep costs to a minimum we are unable to provide written individual assessments or evaluations on players. You may contact the Director of Coaching at any time if you have any concerns or suggestions – coach@njyouthsoccer.com or 609-371-2673.

7. What if my child’s club team conflicts with ODP Events?
The primary development of players in New Jersey takes place through our member clubs. Participation in the US Youth Soccer ODP does not intend to interfere with that development but rather supplement that development by identifying and providing opportunities for the best players in the state to play alongside each other and against other State teams domestically and internationally. The success of New Jersey Youth Soccer ODP is a direct result of the quality of players, coaches and level of competition within New Jersey’s youth soccer community!