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NH ODP Mission, Philosophy and Methods

Ian Torney - NH ODP Director of Coaching

MISSION - the mission of the NH ODP is to identify, develop, and promote top New Hampshire soccer players, as follows in order of priority:

The NH ODP will identify the top 18 soccer players plus alternates in each age group in New Hampshire, to bring to the Region 1 Identification events for evaluation

The NH ODP will develop the level of play of New Hampshire's top soccer players, and strive to improve general soccer excellence in this state, by exposing player both to the highest levels of competition and to a broad variety of the highest levels of instruction, training methods and environments.

The NH ODP will promote New Hampshire soccer players, and prepare them for the next level of play, both in terms of Regional and National team identification, and in terms of college soccer recruitment.

See "NH ODP Program Overview" for more general information.

PHILOSOPHY & METHODS - the NH ODP will accomplish it's mission as governed by a number of philosophical tenets, and by the following methods - click on title to jump to subject:
Identification Philosophy: The NH ODP will identify the top 18 soccer players plus alternates in each age group in New Hampshire, to bring to the Region 1 Identification events for evaluation. The NH ODP will strive to identify the top New Hampshire soccer players as equitably as possible, and by a variety of venues and means. Opportunities to participate in the program will be made equally available to both girls and boys in this state; and the NH ODP will strive to make it's program accessible to all geographic regions. The NH ODP will also ensure that the program is financially viable for any player in the state, via both financial aid support and fundraiser initiatives.

Players are encouraged to try out as early as possible in the identification process; however, players may be identified and added to a final state team pool at any time, either via referral or scouting, or - after the final state team has been named - by invitation of the NH ODP Director of Coaching.

Identification Methods: The NH ODP season runs from late November through late July. There are four phases to the NH ODP season, and to the identification process:
  1. TRYOUTS (November and December, and via referral and scouting);
  2. EVALUATION (January, February and March);
  3. PREPARATION (April, May, and June);
  4. SELECTION (July).
While every NH ODP player will follow this chronology in general, these phases are not necessarily distinct, and often overlap.

TRYOUTS - a player can be identified to a NH ODP pool in a variety of different ways, via an Open Tryout, via a Referral, and via Scouting.

OPEN TRYOUTS are the primary and the most equitable way for players to be identified. See "NH ODP Tryout Information" to learn more specifics about the current tryout schedule.
  • Initial Open Tryouts and Registration occurs in November and December, typically at an open tryout on the Sunday prior to Thanksgiving outdoors, and at a second indoor tryout between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
  • Players may try out at any time, up until April 1st when final State Team Rosters are named - after April 1st a player may join the State Team only by invitation of the NH ODP Director of Coaching.
  • It is strongly recommended that a player try out as early as possible. Players will try out for two sessions; at the conclusion of the second session the Coach will indicate to the player whether they are invited to continue to train with the pool.
  • All players trying out for those first two sessions must complete a Registration Form and pay the $25 Registration Fee.
REFERRAL - a player may be referred to the NH ODP for a tryout.
  • Referrals are typically initiated by a high school or club coach, and sometimes by a Region 1 or US Soccer National Staff Coach.
  • The NH ODP Scouting Staff will also actively solicit referrals.
  • If a player is referred to the NH ODP, the NH ODP Coach in that player's age group will contact the player to arrange a tryout.
  • See the "NH ODP 'Invitational Tryout' Initiative" for more information.
SCOUTING - the NH ODP will work throughout the full NH ODP season to scout, identify and recruit top New Hampshire soccer players to it's program.
  • The NH ODP appoints a Director of Scouting and a scouting staff, whose job it is to identify and recruit players; in addition, all NH ODP Coaches and Staff act as scouts on behalf of the program.
  • If a player is referred to the NH ODP via scouting, then the NH ODP Coach in that player's age group will contact the player to arrange a tryout.
  • See the "NH ODP Scouting Initiative" for more information.
EVALUATION - during indoor pool training in January, February and March, as they train NH ODP players are continually evaluated, with the goal of naming the final state team roster by April 1st. Evaluation occurs at training sessions and via indoor jamborees. Winter training occurs on Sunday mornings, typically twice a month on average. During the winter the NH ODP sponsors two indoor jamborees versus Vermont and Maine; in addition the NH ODP U17 and U19 Girls both participate in Indoor College Showcase Jamborees, and the U13 District Teams also play in two NH ODP District Jamborees. See "NH ODP Schedules" for more information.

Select NH ODP players are also invited to participate in model training session clinics at the NHSA Annual General Meeting - see www.soccernh.com and go to "NHSA AGM" for more information. In addition, in an initiative established in 2003, the NH ODP sponsors Northern New England Centers of Excellence for select players; top players in each age group from Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire are nominated and brought together to be trained by US Soccer National Staff Coaches - see "Northern New England Centers of Excellence" for more information. Also see the articles "What Makes an ODP Player" and "Champion Athlete Aspirations" for additional information.

Every NH ODP player who spends significant time in a pool receives a written evaluation at the conclusion of his or her season. Players who participate in the winter pool training but are not selected for the final state team receive that evaluation when final rosters are named. State team players receive their final evaluation at the conclusion of the ODP season. These evaluations are intended not as summary judgments, but as information to further assist a player's improvement and overall development. See "NH ODP Player Evaluation Form" and "NH ODP Goalkeeper Evaluation Form" for more information.

PREPARATION - after the final state team rosters are named April 1st, the focus of NH ODP training moves more specifically to individual and team development for the months of April, May, and June, in preparation for the Region 1 identification and selection events in June and July. NH ODP State Teams typically train once-a-week in the spring and summer - girls on Monday evenings and boys on Wednesday evenings - with one weekend competition or mini camp scheduled once a month; see "NH ODP Spring/Summer Schedules for additional information. The NH ODP also hosts at least one Region 1 Mini Camp every year - Region 1 Staff are brought in for a special day of training and preparation, and the event also serves as an early identification and selection opportunity; see "NH ODP Girls Region 1 Mini Camp" and "NH ODP Boys Region 1 Mini Camp" schedules for more information.

In addition, the NH ODP sponsors several indoor jamborees in the winter as part of the preparation process, including events versus Vermont and Maine, Indoor College Showcase Jamborees for the U17 and U19 pools, and U13 District Teams Jamborees - see "NH ODP Schedules" for more information. The New Hampshire ODP also sponsors the New England ODP Sub-Region 1 Jamboree every April at Keene State College - this ambitious event brings together ODP squads from New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, and sometimes even includes Canadian Provincial Select teams, for a day-long jamboree.

SELECTION - all NH ODP teams attend Region 1 Identification and Selection Camps in July; see www.region1.com for more information. At Region 1 Camps NH ODP players are trained by Region 1 and US Soccer National Staff Coaches, and their teams play against other Region 1 ODP teams; typically these camps offer the highest level of training and the highest level of competition available to a player from New Hampshire. From those training sessions and match evaluations Region 1 Staff select a Region 1 pool in each age group; and those players selected go on to an additional pool camp, from which a team is formed to compete against similar teams from the other three US Soccer Regions. US Soccer National Staff then select National Team players from those Regional pool teams and Regional Tournaments- see www.ussoccer.com for more information.

EQUALITY - the NH ODP strives to make the opportunities of its program equally available to all.
  • The NH ODP offers an equal number of teams to both girls and boys, including U13 District Teams, a U13 JV Team for girls and a U12 Team for boys, and State Teams in the U14, U15, U16, and U17 age groups
  • Open tryouts are typically held at a geographically central location in the state; and U13 District Teams strive to identify the state's youngest players as early as possible within each geographical district within the state. Winter training sites are located throughout the state, and no one team trains in a single geographic location, i.e. a team will train at various venues throughout the state in the winter to make travel equitable for all. Spring and summer outdoor training is typically held at a geographically central location in the state.
  • Referrals are solicited from all high school and club coaches throughout the state at the outset of the NH ODP season. Scouting efforts encompass all regions of the state, and strive to include all state-cup competitions and tournaments.
  • The NH ODP has a strict "no recruiting" policy - NH ODP Coaches and Staff may not recruit for clubs; and to avoid potential conflict of interest, no NH ODP Coach works with the same age group for which they coach club - see NHSA ODP Policies for additional information.
  • The NH ODP works very hard to ensure that money does not preclude participation. Financial aid is available based on need - see the "NH ODP Fees Schedule" for more information. The NH ODP also sponsors a yearbook ad sales program - players may solicit ads, with half of the fees for each ad sold dedicated to defraying their ODP fees (many players have covered their entire NH ODP costs with this program) - see "NH ODP Yearbook" information under "NH ODP Fundraisers" for additional information; also see "NH ODP - A Bargain!" for other information
Development Philosophy: the NH ODP will develop the level of play of New Hampshire's top soccer players, and strive to improve general soccer excellence in this state, by exposing players to the highest levels of competition, and to a broad variety of the highest levels of instruction, training methods and environments. See "Why Play ODP by Jeff Pill" for additional information.

The NH ODP is not a club, nor trying to be. NH ODP strives to supplement the good work of player development already initiated by the club and school teams in this state. The NH ODP strives to work in conjunction with clubs, to help improve both the individual development of the top players in the state, and to generally improve the overall level of play. See "NHSA ODP Policies" and specifically "ODP Versus Club Training And/Or Match Days Policy" for additional information; also see "NH ODP and Super Y" and "The ODP Debate" for other information.

The NH ODP follows the general tenants and developmental philosophies as asserted by US Soccer. Many of these ideas are re-stated in the May/June 2003 Edition of SOCCER JOURNAL in an article titled "The US Approach" and many govern the general developmental philosophies of the NH ODP, including (but not limited to):
  • "The limited time that teams are together places constraints on what players can realistically accomplish."
  • "The goal and emphasis with players… is placed on skills development and a deeper understanding of the game in a competitive, fun environment in the company of the most talented players we can find."
  • "The hope is to create originals, not clones. We follow this simple principle - the game/competition sets the demands and the player responds (i.e. here is the problem, find the solution and try to execute that solution). Players are encouraged and allowed to experiment and explore the game with the help of coaches that understand the game and work well with kids. In this environment there is plenty of room for trail and error."
  • "Putting children into straitjackets of positional play too early destroys their instincts to be involved in the game…" It is all about ideas and developing the right attitude."
  • "We work with an emphasis on speed of play and the ability to solve problems in competitive situations."
  • "The games are fast, and to keep up with the speed of play, good technical ability and good habits on and off the ball are necessary. We ask the players to stay tuned in mentally, to read the game and the demands of the game, and to make decisions that help their teams win."
  • "We are more concerned with developing better players who can figure out how to win than with telling them exactly what to do. In this sense we do not put a big emphasis on results, but rather on how they are progressing as players. At the same time we do provide players with tactical insights and feedback, and give them starting points for dealing with certain situations."
See the following articles published by US Soccer under "Coach/Player Resources" that also govern much of the NH ODP development philosophies:
Also see the US Soccer website at www.ussoccer.com.

Development Methods: the NH ODP will expose it's players to a variety of coaching styles and philosophies, and to the highest levels of competition, in several ways.

Within the state, NH ODP Head Coaches typically stay with a particular age group year-to-year, while the players move up (as opposed to one coach continuing on with a particular group year-to-year); consequently players receive a variety of tactical instruction and a broad understanding about how to play the game.

The NH ODP also brings in many outside coaches through a variety of venues to train it's players, with NH ODP Associate Staff Coaches, at Region 1 Mini Camps, at the NHSA AGM Player Clinics, at Northern New England ODP Centers of Excellence, and via US Soccer National Staff Coach NH ODP team training sessions.

The NH ODP maintains a cadre of Associate Staff Coaches - typically college coaches from around the state, including Darmouth College, the University of New Hampshire, the University of Southern New Hampshire, Keene State College, Plymouth State University, Colby Sawyer College, New England College, St. Anselm's College, Franklin Pierce College, and Daniel Webster College; other Associate Staff Coaches include former NH ODP Head Coaches, Region 1 Staff Coaches, and US Soccer National Staff Coaches that reside within the state. These Associate Coaches are often brought in to train NH ODP teams as guest coaches. See "NH ODP Staff Profiles" for additional information.

The NH ODP also sponsors at least one Region 1 Mini Camp a year; sometimes the NH ODP participates in two of these events in a year - one indoors in the winter and one outdoors in the late spring. Region 1 Staff are brought into the state to train each NH ODP team, to better familiarize NH players to the level and standards or Region 1 training and competition. The Mini Camps also represent early Region 1 Pool identification opportunities for NH ODP players. Region 1 Staff who have recently trained NH ODP teams at Region 1 Mini Camps include: Brian Ainscough - Bowdoin College; Tony LePore - Region 1 Boys Staff; Dick Dawson - Simmon's College; Steve Quinones - University of Southern Maine/Region 1 Girls Head Goalkeeper Coach; John Daly - William and Mary University; Andy Biggs - US Soccer National Staff; Tim Weaton - Harvard University; Maria Piechocki - Fairfield University; Jeff Pill - US Soccer National Staff; Tom Poitras - University of Southern New Hampshire; Tom Goodman - US Soccer National Staff; Doug Biggs - University of New England; Paula Wilkens - Penn State University; Joe Pereirra - Old Dominion University; Alson Foley - Boston College; Brain Woods - University of New Jersey, BJ Craig - Dartmouth College; and Sue Ryan - Stonybrook University. See "Region 1 Girls Mini Camp" or "Region 1 Boys Mini Camp" for additional information.

Select NH ODP players participate in model training sessions at the NHSA Annual General Meeting Player/Coach Clinics. Featured coaches who have trained NH ODP players at these sessions include: former US Women's Soccer National Team Head Coach Tony DiCicco; US Soccer National Staff Coach Tom Goodman; US Women's Soccer U19 Head Coach Tracy Leone; US Soccer National Staff Coach Andy Biggs; US Soccer National Staff Coach Jeff Pill; Boston University Women's and Region 1 Women's Head Coach Nancy Feldman; US Soccer National Staff Coach Dean Conway; New England Revolution Assistant Coach Matt Driver; as well as numerous additional collegiate coaches.

New in 2003, the NH ODP has sponsored the Northern New England Centers of Excellence, in conjunction with Maine ODP and Vermont ODP. Each northern New England ODP state - Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire - selects their top three players in each age group to participate in these events. It is a great opportunity for the top players in these states to train with and compete against the best in the region, and to be trained and evaluated by some of the top coaches in the country. US Soccer National Staff Coaches who have trained the players at these events include Jeff Pill, Bob Jenkins, and Andy Biggs. See "Northern New England ODP Centers of Excellence" for more information.

Also new in 2003, the NH ODP sponsors US Soccer National Staff Coach NH ODP Team training sessions. For the 2003 season US Soccer National Staff Coach Jeff Pill has been hired as a consultant to come in and train every NH ODP team at least once during the NH ODP Spring/Summer season. Again, this is another great opportunity for the NH ODP players to be exposed to some of the most advanced methods of the top coaches in this country.

Promotion Philosophy: The NH ODP will promote New Hampshire soccer players, and prepare them for the next level of play, both in terms of Regional and National team identification, and in terms of college soccer recruitment.

Promotion Methods: The NH ODP strives to ensure that it's players have the opportunity to be successful at the next levels of the Regional and National Teams programs, and are prepared to enter collegiate soccer ranks.

The NH ODP promotes its players to the Region 1 Staff through numerous venues, most notably by participation in the Region 1 Identification Tournament in June, and via Region 1 Development and Identification Camps in July - see www.region1.com for more information. The NH ODP also gives its players additional opportunities to be seen and evaluated at numerous NH ODP sponsored events, including:
The NH ODP also aggressively promotes its players to collegiate programs in numerous ways. The college recruiting process now starts much earlier than many families understand, and is more involved than many appreciate. Many Division 1 Programs identify and track players for recruiting purposes as early as a player's freshman year in high school; and most top recruits are identified by a player's junior year. Participation in the Olympic Development Program is a sure way to be noted in the college recruiting process, and a sure measure to set oneself above the mass of soccer players vying for the attention of college coaches.

Most notably, the NH ODP is proud to be in partnership with the soccer player promotion firm "Soccer RoundUp." "Soccer RoundUp" provides a comprehensive, web-based player promotion service for college recruiting purposes. All NH ODP players who are named to the final State Team rosters receive a free Level 1 Profile on "Soccer RoundUp;" and "Soccer RoundUp" provides a comprehensive messaging system to college coaches to promote players involved - click on the "Soccer RoundUp" logo for more information.

The NH ODP also sponsors an annual College Recruiting Fair. All NH ODP players are invited to attend as part of the NH ODP Annual General Meeting; and specific college coaches are invited to make short presentations, and to share their insights on the recruiting process. Efforts are made to have all types of collegiate programs represented, from Division 1, Division 2, Division 3, NCAA, NIAA, to NJCAA. A dozen different college coaches were present at the most recent NH ODP College Fair - topics covered include:
  • The Right Fit
  • The Recruiting Process
  • NCAA Rules
  • Expectations of a Student Athlete
See "NH ODP General Meeting and College Fair" for additional information.

The NH ODP also strives to include college soccer coaches as part of its ODP Staff. The most senior NH ODP Boys and Girls teams are coached by collegiate soccer coaches; and the NH ODP Associate Staff includes coaches from virtually every college program in the state, including Darmouth College, the University of New Hampshire, the University of Southern New Hampshire, Keene State College, Plymouth State University, Colby Sawyer College, New England College, St. Anselm's College, Franklin Pierce College, and Daniel Webster College. These Associate Coaches are often brought in to train NH ODP teams as guest coaches. See "NH ODP Staff Profiles" for more information.

The NH ODP also strives to facilitate the exposure of its players on the U17 and U19 Boys and Girls teams to college programs by participation in several College Showcase Jamborees. At these events NH ODP players compete against college teams, and are able to showcase their abilities to numerous college coaches. See "U17/U19 College Showcase Jamborees" for additional information.

Finally, NH ODP participation in Region 1 events ensures exposure to college coaches. Region 1 Staff is comprised primarily of college coaches, and those coaches use the Region 1 events for both player identification and recruiting purposes. One only has to witness the mass of college coaches observing matches at the Region 1 Tournament and at the Region 1 Camps to appreciate the significance of this phenomenon. Many college programs collect official Region 1 rosters in order to better identify players and maintain contact; and the NH ODP helps facilitate that process by publishing it's rosters on the NH ODP website - see "NH ODP Teams" for more information. The major Region 1 events in which NH ODP teams participate include:
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