National Soccer Academy

Bobby Howe suggests ways that player development can be effective

Bobbv Howe U S Soccer’s director of Coaching Education writing in the Oregon Youth SA newspaper Goal Lines outlined some thoughts on needed changes in the ODP program.

This is a preview of an article that I have just written for US. Soccer Magazine addressing some of the criticism that has been leveled it the Olympic Development Program. I have also provided some suggestions for improvement. My opinions are based on much experience in the program for the past 15 years at all levels from district tryouts to national youth team coaching.

Undoubtedly ODP in its present form has to change. The article is meant purely as a starting point for discussion and to assist those states that are not clear in their ODP direction.

For many years ODP has served as the primary selection process for national teams in the United States. The program has served this country well. However as soccer has grown, several cracks have developed and much criticism has been leveled at the ODP structure and operations

Some of the points made by critics:

• The program is expensive and much of the cost is borne by the parents of the players Soccer at this elite level has become a sport for the middle and upper classes and therefore has excluded many players.
• As many of our most experienced coaches work full time with clubs, they do not have the time to devote to ODP. Consequently, in many states, players participating in ODP are not exposed to the highest level of coaching available.
• As club programs have developed to create more year round activity, incredible scheduling problems have occurred for administrators, too much unnecessary traveling time has occurred for players and a tug-of-war for players’ loyalties has developed.
• ODP has become administratively driven. More time has been devoted to the rules and finances of the operation than to the well-being of the players and, hence, to the progress of the game. Soccer should provide an equal opportunity for all players to participate, regardless of ethnic heritage or financial background. The only criterion for participation at the next level must be ability, with the understanding that there is no such thing as equality; some players are naturally better than others. At this time ODP does not recognize this simple fact.
• Development occurs when players of similar abilities are able to compete all year. As ODP is seasonal and sporadic, too often our best players are asked to play at inferior levels.

There is no easy solution or magic formula that will eliminate criticism. The following suggestions are offered in the spirit of providing simpler, more efficient development opportunities for our players.

As clubs emerge and grow stronger, they must hear the responsibility for the development of our players. Club coaches have regular access to the players and must be judged on their ability to develop players. This will create much more accountability than already exists. Players must be encouraged to try out for club teams.

• Players should be scouted for their State teams in league and cup competitions by the state coaching staff. Players identified should be invited to try out for the state team.
• District tryouts and therefore district training should be eliminated. Not only would this ease scheduling, it would eliminate the majority of criticism at the state level. At this time a players first experience of ODP is at district level where there exists the lowest level of experience in player identification and coaching ability.
• In those states that have strong club programs, state team training should be eliminated to avoid scheduling conflicts. In those states that have weak club programs, the state staff should bear the responsibility of training its best players. It should be the responsibility of all states to schedule games with other competitive states throughout the year (weather permitting) to provide competition. When there are scheduling conflicts between clubs and ODP, state ODP must take priority except for state, regional or national club competitions.
• Regional identification / development camps must be eliminated to be replaced by sub-regional tournament play. Not only are the existing camps expensive, they serve no developmental purpose. At this time players who are selected at these camps receive no more than 8 to 10 days of realistic soccer activity Regional players should be selected at state friendlies and sub-regional tournaments. Regional training should be eliminated to avoid scheduling conflicts, but regional teams should have more games throughout the year. In regional/state/club conflicts, the region must take priority except for state, regional or national cup competitions. At state and regional levels, year-round match play is a much more important development tool than training.

The ODP has served its purpose well. Like the game itself, however, it must evolve to provide more efficient developmentally sound and less expensive playing opportunities for the elite players in the United States.

Soccer Journal July/August 1999