ODP Region Trials 2015 Recap by Technical Director Zac Crawford

Transcription

1 ODP Region Trials 2015 Recap by Technical Director Zac Crawford Fifteen State Select Teams from Alabama participated in the US Youth Soccer Region III Olympic Development Program Region Trials from June 28-July 17. The 12 different state associations from Region III participated in an opportunity to be selected for Regional and National pools, as well as to receive quality training and matches against different states. The girls participated in the Region Trials in Montevallo, while the boy s camp was held in Tuscaloosa. All Alabama teams had full rosters and did not have to merge with other states for the experience. 2 nd teams were formed in the two youngest age groups (02 & 01) as well as the 99 boys. While the risk of bringing 2 nd teams from the smallest state (registration wise at the beginning of the 2014 season) could be high if the competitive level is overmatched, the training format for the season helped minimize that risk and provided all players with ample opportunities to learn and grow into the U.S. Soccer Style and system that has a proactive possession oriented game that builds from the back and includes quick transitions. All teams competed well and were close in almost every match. The 2002 Girls ODP 1st Team showed well at the Region Trials by winning all 3 matches and placing Isabelle Passman into the Region Pool. During the season, the Alabama players were taught the roles and responsibilities of the system. Some of the highlights from the experience came from the competitive level of the 2 nd teams. Another method to show that the 2 nd teams were a good fit for the program is that players from the 2 nd teams not only made the Region Pool games, but Alabama placed one player from the 01 Boys 2 nd team into the Region Pool. The theme for the Region Trials experience was the 10 Principles of Possession soccer, which our teams trained on during the State Team phase. Players worked on the simple technique of peeling off to create space and look to be proactive in their attack by having possession with a purpose. Although the ultimate measure of success is not in the win/loss records, our teams did a very good job of competing and as a state our W/L record was well over.500. Furthermore, as the smallest state player registration wise in Region III, Alabama placed a record 42 players into the Region Pool. 28 boys were placed into the Region Pool, which ranks 4 th out of 12 state association and only behind Florida, Georgia, and South Texas. Overall, Alabama ranked #6 out of 12 state associations; this shows that the Alabama ODP State Program is on the right track to continue to develop players. This number is up from 22 from the previous year. Success was achieved by: 1. Having the support of all clubs, DOCs, and coaches to help recommend their players to the program. THANK YOU for your support!!! 2. Staying organized, communicating clearly, and educating players and parents as to the process of the system. 3. Consistent training themes and formats. 4. Excellent coaching/teaching from the ODP Staff. 5. Fantastic support from parents that make many sacrifices for their children. The 2002 Boys 1st team enjoyed their first Region Trials experience by going undefeated at and placing a State record of 8 players into the Region III Pool.

2 Outlook All players that participated in the Region Trials, as well as any alternates, will be automatically placed into the Alabama State Pool, once they have completed their initial registration for Club DOCs can also recommend players by completing the Player Recommendation form and sending to Technical Director Zac Crawford. There will be open tryouts at the end of August for anyone that has not yet been placed in to State Pool Phase. New to this next season will be ASA s new partnership with Nike, and all players will be fitted with new Nike jerseys, shorts, and socks. Other Nike spirit gear will also be available for players to wear off the field, or for friends and family to show their support. In an effort to help keep costs lost, sponsorships/partnerships are available if you or your company is interested in receiving advertising trade-in-kind for sponsorship. Please contact Zac Crawford at zac@alsoccer.org. We look forward to another successful ODP season that will start in late August. Please see the end of this article or visit our website for more information on the season, or click here- RANKINGS FOR 2015 REGION TRIALS BOYS STATE ASSOC TOTAL Rank AL ARK FL GA LA MS NC T-6 NTX T-6 OK SC STX TN GIRLS AGE Groups STATE ASSOC TOTAL Rank AL ARK FL GA LA MS NC NTX OK SC STX TN

3 TOTAL RANKINGS BOYS # Pool Players GIRLS # Pool Players Player Registration SIZE (largest to smallest) TOTAL # Of Pool Players RANK AL th ARK th FL st GA nd LA th MS th NC th NTX th OK th SC T-7 STX rd TN T Girls ODP State Team with Coach/Technical Director Zac Crawford

4 Congratulations to all players, especially those that made the Region Pools. Please see below for all Region Pool players. Girls Region Pool Training Participants (Region Pool Players in bold) Isabelle Passman, Hailey Bastian, Haley Duca Haley Greene, Hannah Guthrie, Kylie Bechard, Hallie Meadows Maddison Martin, Jasmine Greene, Julia Pack, Abby Jacobs, Hailey Whitaker Ali Thomas, Katie Thomas Lucy Thrasher, Cami Rogers, Brianna Morris 2000 Girls ODP State Team with Coaches Nicola Stolworthry, Rob Milner, Kevan Watkins, and Zac Crawford 1999 Girls ODP State Team (left) before they participated in the Region Staff Coach Training Session. Katie Thomas and Ali Thomas were selected the 99 Region Pool (above) Girls ODP 2 nd Team (BELOW), 2002 Girls ODP 2 nd team w Coach John Vincent (BELOW and LEFT)

5 The 98 Boys ODP State team, one of the most successful Alabama teams over the past few years, capped a great undefeated run at the Region Trials by going and placing 5 players in to the Region III Pool. Coach Ben Weaver and Bart Markel. ODP Region Trials Boys Pool Game Players July 9: 1999: Devin Benton, Liam Condone 2000: Christopher Richards, Clay Holstad, David Wrona 2001: Tanner Tessman, Ariel Barreto, Jaden Servania, Rasheed Bolaji July 10: 1999: Liam Condone, Collin Armstrong, Devin Benton, Wessam Toutanji 2000: Christopher Richards, Clay Holstad, David Wrona, Joseph Quinn, Mason Hemstreet 2001: Donald Wilson, Parker League, Jaden Servania July 11: 1999: Jackson Barber, Amos Ndikumana, Michael Greene, Ethan Harradine, Nicholas Juarez 2000: Christopher Richards, David Wrona, Clay Holstad, Mason Hemstreet, Joseph Sullivan, Joseph Quinn 2001: Rasheed Bolaji July 14: 1998: Trey Nelson, Jerome Williams, Levi Long, Anthony Russo 2002: Kyle Toutanji, Ethan Souphanthong, Salia Carr, James Dunning, Larson Rula, Kenneth Toledo, Jackson Wrobel July 15: 1998: Trey Nelson, Jerome Williams, Levi Long, Anthony Russo, Dylan Bradley 2002: Kenneth Toledo, Jackson Wrobel, Ty Sanchez, James Dunning, Larson Rula, Ivan Obias, Tega Ikoba, Oghenekoma Ubogu, Matthew Morgan

6 July 16: 1998: Eric Buer, Levi Long, Adam Brooker, Mario Magnusson 2002: Kyle Toutanji, Salia Carr, James Dunning, Kenneth Toledo, Larson Rula, Ty Sanchez, Jackson Wrobel, Ethan Souphanthong Final Selection: 1998: Jerome Williams, Trey Nelson, Levi Long, Adam Brooker, Eric Buer 1999: Liam Condone, Collin Armstrong, Wes Toutanji, Devin Benton, Brandon Servania 2000: Mason Hemstreet, Clay Holstad, Joe Quinn, Chris Richards, David Wrona, Joseph Sullivan 2001: Jaden Servania, Tanner Tessman, Ian Krajna, Rasheed Bolaji 2002: Kyle Toutanji, Salia Carr, James Dunning, Kenneth Toledo, Larson Rula, Ty Sanchez, Ethan Souphanthong, Jackson Wrobel Wrap-Up Congratulations to all participating players for representing the State of Alabama in a professional and respectful manner. Also, thank you to all of the supporting parents for making the sacrifices to allow your child to participate in our program. Finally, thank you to the coaching staff for doing a fantastic job this season in not only teaching, but also caring for the players both on and off the field. It truly takes a village and the entire state of Alabama should be proud of the soccer village that we have put together for the ASA Olympic Development Program. How do I get Involved? If you are interested in participating for the upcoming year, the following birth years will be eligible for both boys and girls There is a pre-odp program called the Elite Player Development Program which is for 9-12 years and is used as a training/scouting system for players born in 2003, 2004, & Interested players born between should talk to their club DOCs about whether or not ODP is a good fit for the player and vice-versa. Club DOCs have the ability to recommend players into the State Pool Training Phase, which takes place from September-November. Players that are not recommended or come from a club that does not provide recommendations must attend an open tryout in late August. Players born in 2003 must attend an open tryout in late November. The average cost for a year of ODP training, including the Region Trials Camp, is ~$1300. Scholarships are available based on need and ability. Please visit for more information visit our Facebook page to view more photos Thank you, Zac Crawford Technical Director Alabama Soccer Association Office: Cell: zac@alsoccer.org