training for odp

[ole21]

hey guys, so im training to make the odp team in my state and i just wondered what everyone thought about what i should be focusing on. alright, im 15 years old so im going for the 1990 odp pool for my state and there are about 5 or 6 training sessions between november and february. so i have about 5 weeks till the first session and i want to know what i should be training and working on to have the best chance to make the team? does anyone know what the coaches in this program are looking for? i have my high school soccer season for a few more weeks so by the time that's done ill only have 2 or so weeks to the first session. i know i won't be able to train by myself much at all until the season's over, but until then, what should i be working on in my hs practices and games? and then for training by myself what should i work on? id love to hear what you guys think, thanks.

[Chel]

I couldnt really tell you what to work on considerig I dont live in America but Id just make sure that your in real good shape. I just had my city tryouts the other day and they worked us until exhaustion(sp?); so Id assume that they will work you even harder considering its a state, most coaches just like to see that you dont give up and that you can keep up with even the really good guys (ones who have been on the earlier years teams). When your training on your own make sure you not only increase your overall endurance and speed for running but make sure your overall fit ie run 6 laps around the field, another 2 with a ball and onces thats over do some sprinting it half field and still be able to do pushups and situps etc...lol thats what our coach made us to at tryouts this year. Just be aware that your coach will demand the most out of you.

anywhoo I know all that stuff is pretty basic buts its all I got.

[bf1]

touch is important, the basis for odp, like many leagues is built of fundamentals, but in this case you should be better than perfect with them: position, accurate passing, speed with and without the ball, field vision. show them what you have, i find juggling a very good way to become familiar with the ball, but, in the offseason stay in shape, jog and so on, its different for everybody

[SaberWolf]

Alright the guy that got me to go out told me they were looking for 3 things:
-Head
-Heart
-Feet

Head- you're smart enough to see plays and know when to pass and know when to hold the ball.
Heart- you will keep playing with everything you got no matter the situation.
Feet- obviously, you got to be good with the ball.

But thats what MY guy told me, I'm from South Carolina though.

[Hollister_13]

Adding to SaberWolf's list . . . when you go to the tryout, don't hog the ball alot, and don't try any fancy moves (well, that helps, but don't do too many at the wrong time) but I say the reason that I didn't make ODP is because the other players were always moving into space and could make incredible passes. IT IS ALL ABOUT THE PASSES AND FINDING SPACE/ALWAYS MOVING AROUND!

My 2 cents.

[SaberWolf]

Yea, don't get him wrong, DO tricks but don't do many tricks, they look for simple soccer players that can be flexible.

[ole21]

thanks, so what about any particular drills or something i can be working on when im training alone?

[Hollister_13]

Use a mini ball (size 1) and dribble around everywhere. Or hit a ball up against a wall alot using your chest/thigh/head/feet to trap and hit it back.

[CenterMid10]

What position are you?

[Hollister_13]

Me?! Well I prefer forward, but since our team is doing really bad at defense and getting the ball up to the forwards, my coach has put me back at midfielder. Except now, I'm playing defense because I scored another goal when I wasn't supposed to and I can't cross the half-line .

[CenterMid10]

Me?! Well I prefer forward, but since our team is doing really bad at defense and getting the ball up to the forwards, my coach has put me back at midfielder. Except now, I'm playing defense because I scored another goal when I wasn't supposed to and I can't cross the half-line .

HAHA, wow, that seems really stupid of your coach to keep moving you back and put restrictions of where you can be just cause you scored a goal.

[CenterMid10]

thanks, so what about any particular drills or something i can be working on when im training alone?

What position are you?

[ole21]

for my hs team this year im playing outside midi (left, but i don't know if i could be left for odp, cuz im a righty). are u on odp?

[CenterMid10]

Nah, that would kill me while playing school and travel and I play center mid preferably so that would be running way more than i wanna think of in a week. Um...well, if you think you are gonna play right mid i would say you have to be able to work the ball around well, good field vision. Don't force anything, pass back the ball and swing it if things aren't working on that side. Don't get over excited. Basicly you'll need to have a cool head, field vision, and control as a mid. Once you get those work at things you aren't good at.

[Czech]

I know this might sound stupid but what is odp?? LMK, thanx