USA Water Polo Olympic Development Program 2017-2018 Objective The Olympic Development Program will serve as a forum to identify and develop athletes to represent USA Water Polo throughout domestic and international competition. The foundation of the program is a systematic approach to athlete development through a training program that focuses on both the technical and tactical components of water polo while placing a premium on overall physical fitness. This program will also provide a forum where coaches and referees are provided with professional development and insight into the vision of our Men and Women s Senior National Team coaches.
ODP Mission and Operations Olympic Development Program Overview USA Water Polo has revised the Olympic Development Program infrastructure to be more effectively streamlined in terms of communication and operations. The new infrastructure will provide a direct line of communication from senior team coaches, zone coaches and administrators back to the High Performance Director. The ODP system will involve 13 geographic zones throughout the country. Each zone will be managed and operated by a zone head coach. Their responsibilities will include coaching, programming, and administrative duties in their respective zones as a liaison to USA Water Polo ODP. For a list of current Zone Head Coaches click here.
ODP Mission and Operations High Performance Organizational Chart ODP Zone Locations A national ODP staff provides guidance and interface with the USA Water Polo Men and Women's national teams. Each zone will have an ODP Zone Head Coach and at least two age group coaches for each gender. ODP Training Zones Midwest Northeast Southeast Central California Hawaii Pacific Coastal California Pacific Southwest Southern Pacific Mountain Pacific Northwest Southwest Great Lakes (Michigan, Ohio and Western PA)
ODP Mission and Operations Zone Age Groups Age groups will be determined by birth year: Youth age group is born in 2001 and under Cadet age group is born in 2003 and under Development Age Group is born in 2004 and younger Athletes will have an opportunity to move up between age groups, if selected by an ODP coaching staff and/or National Team Staff and/or High Performance Director. Example: A 03 athlete can be selected to compete with the 01 group. Note: Age groups are categorized based on age guidelines that qualifies the athletes for World Championships, Youth and Junior World Championships, Pan Am games, etc. Zone Head Coaches Zone Head Coach: Each zone will hire one head coach per zone per gender. These coaches will be the main point of contact for ODP in that zone area, and will also coach the youngest age group of Olympic Development in their respective zone. These coaches will also be responsible for selecting coaches for other age groups in their respective zones, these zone coaches will be referred to as Zone Age Group Coaches (ZAGs). A zone head coach will also have the responsibility of communicating to clubs in their zones and ensuring clubs have the proper information regarding ODP, training dates, etc. USA Water Polo strongly believes that this process will encourage collaboration and communication within zones. Any and all coaches are encouraged and invited to attend zone camps for professional development. Coaches can also send athlete recommendations to ZHCs and ZAGs for zone team selection consideration. Mental Skills In support of our ODP Coaches, and in the efforts to provide high performance resources for athletes and coaches, Brian Alexander has been named the official Mental Skills Coach for ODP. Brian was an NCAA All-American at UC Santa Barbara and a long time member of the USAWP Senior National Team. Brian puts out mental skills content and presents at various ODP events throughout the season. Click here to access the content and learn more about Brian.
ODP Mission and Operations Zone Camps ODP Zone camps will be utilized as a forum to display the ODP system of play. Both national team coaches and staff from USAWP will work directly with local staff and athletes to build an effective program in order to select local zone teams. Each zone will have two ODP zone camps per year, which are open to any USAWP Silver member. Athletes can attend their own local zone camp or attend in other zones if desired, but must attend at least one camp in their USAWP registered zone to be considered for zone team selection. The hybrid format of the zone camps will be a tryout and training session. Zone camps will be operated and administered by zone coaches, USAWP national team staff, select national team pipeline coaches, national goalie coaches, and the zone head referee. The local staff members will also be responsible for logistics and operations of the zone camps. The zone staff will report back to the USAWP national office on dates that best maximize participation within the zone. The two zone camps will have different focus areas, allowing for a variety of opportunities to learn and train. All athletes are encouraged to attend both camps. Price structure: Any USAWP Silver Member within the age groups may register for zone camps. - Camp fee is $200 for a weekend camp (outside CA) and $165 for a 1 day camp (in CA) *NOTE: Special pricing is available for USAWP Shieldy members. Upon registration a discounted rate will appear. More information here. Coach and Referee Schools will be also held in conjunction with zone camps. These clinics will be offered once per zone per ODP season. All coaches and referees are invited to attend. For a list of coach/referee schools click here.
Zone Team In order to be selected to the zone team, an athlete must attend at least one zone camp within their zone. An athlete can participate in any zone camp. The goal is to have an athlete evaluated by both local and national staff members for selection. Athletes will no longer be cut or removed from the camp. After attending a zone camp, an athlete may be selected by zone staff members and national team coaches to join the zone team. Coaches can also send athlete recommendations to ZHCs and ZAGs for zone team selection consideration. An ODP athlete recommendation form will be emailed to all USAWP coaches via email. All USAWP Silver athletes are invited to participate in ODP zone camps to further develop and improve their skills, even if they do not intend to participate on the zone team. Team Layout: The top 14 athletes in each zone (from the camps) will form the zone teams. Larger zones will have a 2 nd team ( B team) based on the number of athletes in those areas. If selected for the zone team, the charge to train and be a member of that team will be $500 (and requires Gold USAWP membership). This fee includes participation at the national championship event, on site accommodations for the event (hotel for all participants and transportation for zones outside of California once they arrive to host city), and additional zone training. Team gear carries an additional cost to the athlete. Applications for financial aid are available to those athletes named and invited to the Zone Team Roster. Complete the Financial Aide link in the invite and the High Performance Manager will follow up with the families so they can complete the registration process. Born in 2000 All-Stars The ODP All-Stars program is open to all born in 2000 athlete, who are not eligible for selection to Youth Zone Teams. Any athlete born in 2000 who attends an ODP Camp or who is invited to ODP Academy will be eligible for selection to the ODP All-Stars. At the conclusion of the last ODP Camp (January 2018) the top 56 2000 athletes (48 Field Players/8 Goalkeepers) as determined by National Team staff will be entered into a draft process. National team coaches will then draft each selected athlete onto one of four teams. This will ensure a competitive tournament and allow athletes to meet and play with other players from around the country. These four teams (comprised of 12 field players and 2 goalies each) will compete during the ODP National Championships in their own mini-tournament, which presents another opportunity to compete in front of National Team and NCAA coaches. Each All-Stars team will play four games over the course of the weekend. The format will be Round-Robin followed by a Championship and Third-Place game. National Team staff members will coach teams and they will meet on Friday of the Championship for one training session together prior to the games.
Athletes who are selected to the ODP All-Stars (born in 2000) will be eligible to be selected to the Youth National Training Selection Camp (NTSC). Cost of the competition will be $350 and ODP gear will NOT be mandatory to purchase. Summary of Programming and Age Groups for 2017-2018 Season Year of Birth Eligible for: Dates Membership Type 2002-2003 2004-2005 2000 Youth Camp and All-Star Team- High School Seniors 2001 Youth Camp and Team 2002 Youth Camp and Team 2003 Cadet Camp and Team Camps Sept-Oct, National Championships Feb and March Camps Sept-Oct, National Championships Feb and March Camps Sept-Oct, Nat Championships Feb and March Camps Sept-Oct, National Championships Feb and March Futures Camp-International (Invite only) Early August Gold Futures Camp-COS (Travel Trip for Dev Teams) Early August Gold 2003-2004 Holiday Camp-8th grade Nov-Dec Gold 2004-2008 13 and Under Skills Clinic Sept 2004 Development Camp and Team 2005 Development Camp and Team 2006 Development Camp and Team 2006 2007 2008 11 and Under Skills Clinic and Festival 11 and Under Skills Clinic and Festival 11 and Under Skills Clinic and Festival Camps Sept-Oct, National Championships Feb and March Camps Sept-Oct, National Championships Feb and March Camps Sept-Oct, National Championships Feb and March Camps Oct-Nov, Festival Dec Camps Oct-Nov, Festival Dec Camps Oct-Nov, Festival Dec Camps-Silver Nat Champs-Gold Camps-Silver Nat Champs-Gold Camps-Silver Nat Champs-Gold Camps-Silver Nat Champs-Gold Trial, Bronze, Silver, Gold Camps-Silver Nat Champs-Gold Camps-Silver Nat Champs-Gold Camps-Silver Nat Champs-Gold Trial, Bronze, Silver, Gold Trial, Bronze, Silver, Gold Trial, Bronze, Silver, Gold
ODP Mission and Operations National Championship Tournament Each zone team will compete in the ODP national championship tournament. The tournament will be comprised of approximately 16 teams from 13 ODP zones. Each zone will enter one team and the larger zones will enter two teams. The tournament will start with bracket play comprised of four brackets of four seeded teams, conducted by the USAWP national staff and the USAWP High Performance Director. While the ODP national championship will be centered on competition, another major component will also focus on athlete development and experience as well as coaching and referee development. Therefore, ODP and national team staff will use the ODP national championship tournament as a forum for professional development for coaches, referees, and athletes. Locations: The 2018 ODP National Championship will be held in Northern California. February 23-25 Boys National Championship March 9-11 Girls National Championship Evaluations: All athletes participating in the ODP National Championship will receive a formal evaluation from their zone coach within ten days of the conclusion of the National Championship tournament. National Team Training and Selection Camp: At the National Championship, USAWP will select athletes to move on to the National Team Selection Camp by USAWP coaches, staff and support members. National Team Staff will select the top 48 athletes at the youth and cadet age group. The top 70 athletes will be selected at the development age group. A minimum of 1-2 athletes per ODP zone will be selected for the youth and cadet NTSC, while a minimum of 2-3 athletes per ODP zone will be selected for the development NTSC. If there are junior national team camps in the year, then athletes for that specific camp and age group will be invited to attend.
ODP Mission and Operations ODP Pipeline System Below you will see the ODP pipeline system and how it feeds towards the national team programming:
ODP Mission and Operations National Team Program National teams will train and compete domestically and internationally. The key value of connecting the USAWP ODP program with the national team system is to streamline the requirement of going through the ODP in order to be selected to a national team. Nick Johnson Inspiration Award The Nick Johnson Inspiration Award, established February 2015, recognizes athletes that fully embody the vision and values of the Olympic Development Program. The values of the program are based on the Olympic movement, defined as "Olympism." "Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind. Blending sport with culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy found in effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles." The values that are derived from Olympism and translated into ODP are the backbone of why the program exists and what it sets out to pass on to its participants. ODP athletes should have the utmost respect for their opponents, officials, and the game of water polo. ODP athletes should strive to maximize their potential as athletes and as people. Nick Johnson was a shining example of this during his time with us. We hope this award inspires us all to embrace the values of ODP and be a part of the Olympic movement. For more information on this award click here.
Goalkeeper Program Goalkeepers participating in the ODP program will receive specific goalkeeper training from experienced goalkeeper coaches through the guidance and leadership of National Goalkeeper Coach and Olympian Sean Nolan. Each and every zone camp, ODP national championship, and the national team selection camp will have one or more of the national goalkeeper coaches in attendance. They will assist the national team pipeline coaches with the selections of the goalkeepers for the zone teams. In addition to working with the athletes, the national goalkeeper coaches will work with the zone coaches in order to improve their knowledge base and coaching skills for the goalkeeper position. Coaches and players will benefit in a variety of ways, through access to the following materials and resources: ODP Goalkeeper Coaching Manual Videotaping and video review with athletes and coaches. Classroom and on-deck coaching demonstrations and clinics. Position specific camps (for certain Zones only). In-water breakdown of goalkeeper fundamentals, such as: Base position, triangle positioning, the lunge and throwing dynamics. Demonstration and dissemination of goalkeeper specific drills. (Including DVD of drills and skills). Each zone camp will have a different emphasis and learning opportunities. During the first zone camp, national goalkeeper coaches will focus on the technical skills of being a goalkeeper. For the second zone camp, the emphasis will shift to the tactical skills that are needed to become a more complete goalkeeper. The role of the national goalkeeper coaches will be to implement the technical and tactical skills developed by the national goalkeeper director, to aid in player selections, and to be a strong ambassador for the goalkeeper position to our ODP participants.
Referees The USAWP Referee Association, under the guidance and leadership of National Director of Referees Jim Cullingham, in collaboration with each Zone Head Referee (ZHR) will provide referees for all ODP events and trainings and competitions. The USAWP Referee Association will not only oversee the officiating of scrimmages at zone camps, zone trainings, and national competitions but will also take advantage of these activities to provide valuable training and professional growth opportunities for USAWP Referees across the Country. This year, referees will be appointed to officiate a specific age group at the National Championships to better focus on referee education, growth, and development. To further enhance the experience, the USAWPR will provide on site evaluation and mentoring at each of these activities. The Director of Referees will also select referees, with the endorsement and input of the ZHR, to attend National Team Selection Camps where the referees will have the opportunity to work with national team athletes and coaches and have an opportunity to learn the specific instruction given to athletes from national team coaches. This will provide a forum for coaches and referees to dialogue on connecting the teaching of technical skills in an effort to standardize application of playing rules across the country.
Additional Camps & Opportunities Holiday Camps For nearly 30 years the USAWP Holiday Camps have provided an opportunity for athletes in 8 th grade and younger to train and develop at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. Coaches and Referees are also integrated in the camp as a professional development opportunity. Camps are traditionally in December and the nomination process begins at the Zone level. Click here for more information. Co-Ed 11 and under Clinics and Festival Some Zones will offer ODP training for both boys and girls ages 11 and under. At these trainings athletes will be exposed to the ODP tactics and technical skills in an introductory manner. The clinics will culminate in a Festival in December where athletes will play some games before the Women s National Team play an Exhibition game against an international opponent. Check with your Zone staff to see if this available in your area and Click here for more information. Futures Program 14u Camp: August 9-13, 2018 at the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center 16u International Trip: August 2-12, 2018 in Europe The purpose of the Futures Program is to invite male and female athletes that have been identified in the High Performance process of ODP and the National Pipeline Teams. These are athletes that have shown great potential during the process, however did not make a travel roster for their respective pipeline teams. The Futures Camp was created to give an additional opportunity for these select athletes to grow and develop in an Olympic environment before the start of the next ODP season. We want these athletes to continue their development and to walk away from the camp with further leadership skills and knowledge to take back to their zones. ODP athletes age 14 and under will be eligible to be selected for the Futures Camp in Colorado Springs, while athletes age 16 and under will be eligible for selection for the international program. The international program will feature domestic training and an international competition in Europe against club teams from that region and will be organized by DJ Global Wave Sports Professionals. ODP Academy Based on performances in the previous season in the program and pipeline teams, an ODP athlete may be invited to participate in the ODP Academy. This group is made up of invitation only athletes hand selected by our National Team staffs from the previous year s ODP and pipeline national team season. A first year ODP athlete is not eligible for participation in the Academy. Training will be held approximately once a month from October through May 2018, and led by USAWP Senior Team coaching staff. The Academy athletes will then be released to their
respective zone teams for zone training and the ODP National Championships. Specific Academy training dates will be delivered to the invited athletes after all current pipeline team activities are complete. The ODP Academy provides our potential future Olympians with yearround training and instruction from the top of the pipeline. Key ODP Calendar of Events Zone Camps September 2017 through January 2018 Zone Team Training TBD by Zone Staff National Championship Boys February 23-25, 2018 Girls March 9-11, 2018 NTSC (Selection and Training Camp) National Pipeline Team Trainings & Competition Boys April 6-8, 2018 Girls May 25-28, 2018 Boys April through August, 2018 Girls June through August, 2018 ODP Senior Staff: ODP High Performance Manager - Anne Laurence - alaurence@usawaterpolo.org (All operational and logistical questions) ODP Technical Administrator (Boys & Girls) Bryan Lynton blynton@usawaterpolo.org ODP National Goalkeeper Coach Sean Nolan snolan@usawaterpolo.org USAWP National Director of Officials Jim Cullingham jcullingham@usawaterpolo.org USAWP Chief High Performance Officer John Abdou jabdou@usawaterpolo.org