ODP Frequently Asked Questions

The Olympic Development Program (ODP) is a player identification and development pathway run by US Youth Soccer. Idaho ODP provides training, competition, and exposure to regional and national staff for players who show potential at higher levels.

Idaho ODP 25/26 will run from October through May. Players train monthly at regional RTC (Regional Training Centers) and participate in state and out-of-state events.

Practice frequency can vary based on age group coaching staff preferences.
Program structure training sessions will be planned for two training opportunities per month and are set for the second Sunday of each month at each home-site RTC training area, and the last Sunday of every month at Combined RTC training in Boise.
A full training calendar will be shared with our player family bases prior to the program training starting.

Yes. Idaho ODP competes within USYS West Region and works with staff to ensure player names, evaluations, and information are shared for broader identification opportunities for summer regional camp and interregional camp.

ODP has three age categories: Older (2009-2011), Younger (2012-2013), and Pre-ODP (2014-2015)
Pre-ODP is an introductory level to the program for (2014s & 2015s) age groups, focused on training and development while allowing for travel and competitive opportunities in true age group training when possible and combined if needed for travel events.

Pre-ODP players do not have to travel, but should have all travel event opportunities to play at true age group if possible, if not combining with 2014 for events

State Pool teams are guaranteed at least one travel event. Idaho ODP Select teams may participate in up to three events, including ODP Championships, regional friendlies with neighboring ODP States, and regional showcases and tournaments.
State team selections will be determined by coaching staff of each age group with ample time to coordinate travel plan and costs.

Players may register for an IYSA program by participating in ODP. By registering, it’s best to have players cleared with your local state association of residence for approval for the correct state to receive correspondence further down the ODP Pathway. Please reach out to ODP staff if this pertains to your player.

Each age group has a coaching staff to direct team questions to via team platform and contact info from ODP Staff Webpage once updated for each calendar cycle. General program questions can be directed to ODP Program admin. and/or Idaho Youth Soccer staff.

Program information and updates posted on the IYSA ODP webpage.
Emails sent directly to registered/invited player families.
Praxis – Team communication platform for each player pool team and select team for travel events
FAQs updated after each town hall.

Yes. Evaluation correspondence is provided after tryouts on whether your player is invited to participate in the program cycle moving forward or not.
Additional evaluation feedback from coach evaluator sheets may be requested.

Players are identified through statewide tryouts. Not every player is selected as only those chosen for the pool team for each age group move forward.

Players attending Regional Camp will not be penalized for missing ODP tryouts. However, you should still register through GotSport to confirm your interest and ensure evaluators are aware of the conflict. Please also notify ODP staff

If a player cannot attend their closest tryout session during the tryout period, they are open to attend a different location or reach out to see if there are pool roster spots available for your player’s age group to be evaluated at an alternate time.

ODP has a specific rule within IHSAA to where players can actively tryout and be a part of the pool and state team squad for tryouts/trainings while their player is participating in High School soccer. Typically, the program structure for older age groups takes place after IHSAA State Championships in late October/November.

No. While coaches may recommend players to join the program, all should look to register and attend official tryouts, where everyone is evaluated equally to ensure fairness for the start of the program pool teams.

We plan to offer a supplemental tryout (TBD) for players who miss the initial tryout windows. Players may be evaluated by coaching staff if spots remain in the pool for each age group, ensuring every player is given equal consideration regardless of situation.

Players should attend their assigned tryout day and time to ensure a full evaluation.

Attending multiple sessions is not required. Although by registering, all tryout sessions are included within the amount of tryouts your player can attend.

Player position should be an available field option to when registering. Players should register for tryouts with their primary playing position, including goalkeeper if. applicable. Players will also have the chance to declare their preferred positions during the tryout session with coach evaluators.
Players are not restricted to those positions as a large part of development is growing players into their preferred positions but also exposing players to new positions and tactics based on coaching, player willingness, and team needs.

Goalkeepers should attend both their GK-specific session and their age group session for all tryouts and trainings.

Younger (2012-2013) & Pre-ODP (2014-2015) age groups: Second and Last Sunday of October.
Older age groups (2009–2011): Second and Last Sunday of November, after high school season.

Home-site RTC sessions: 2nd Sunday of each month in Sandpoint (North), Boise (Southwest), and Pocatello (East) .
Combined RTC sessions: Last Sunday of each month in Boise at Simplot Sports Complex

Each training date offers two sessions. One in the morning and one in the afternoon, to give families flexibility and make travel worthwhile. Players may attend either session, but both are not required. Full times and calendar will be released with player families internally.

North will plan to train in Sandpoint at Field of Dreams in Ponderay
East will plan to train in Pocatello at PVSC field complexes.
Updated changes will be communicated with all associated pool players and coaches based on member club hosting the training sessions.

Contingency indoor sites are being identified in each regional training center (RTC) to ensure winter training remains consistent.

Regional Home-site:
Southwest RTC – true age groups
North and East Idaho RTC – combined age groups due to player pool size
Combined RTC: true age group for full-pool setting

Each Idaho ODP Regional Training Center (RTC) identifies a pool of up to 30 players per age group.
Event rosters are then selected from this pool and are smaller than the total pool size, typically anywhere from 18-22 players depending on event registration.
All pool players may be chosen to travel for at least one event, up to three. If multiple teams attend an event per age group, they are balanced for development, not by ability, to allow all event rosters to be competitive.

Event rosters will be identified after the last training session before each event or prior to give ample time to selected player families to plan and make travel arrangements for the event with as much times notice as possible for planning.

No. Events are competitive, and playing time is not guaranteed equal. However, all selected players will get meaningful minutes to ensure evaluation opportunities take place to balance player moments with team needs.

Dedicated coach evaluators will assess players during tryouts, not the coaching staff for each age group team. Coaching staff assignments and announcements will be made after tryouts and before the program cycle begins with trainings.
If your player’s age group is not yet listed, the assignments are still being finalized. Once confirmed, the full coaching staff list will be posted online HERE and shared via email and social media announcement.

ODP staff must hold appropriate US Soccer licenses, complete SafeSport and background checks, and complete a program screening form.
Parent and staff feedback are also considered but not guaranteed to be considered towards final selection of coaching staff.

ODP (Older and Younger Age Groups): $950
Pre-ODP (2014 & 2015): $650
These fees cover all RTC training, event registrations, and all coaching.

Event registration is covered in the program cost. Travel, lodging, and meals are not included in program and to be organized by each select team through coaching staff and team managers if applicable.

Kits which include (training + game gear) are approximately $175–$200.

Currently on a one-year cycle, though Idaho ODP is reviewing options to extend cycles and reduce costs.

Returning players can reuse shirts and gear for trainings if still usable, but not for events during match competition.

Refunds are available if requested before the program trainings begin. Player families should be able to review the program calendar and information to make informed decisions prior to the program start.

Yes. Families may secure individual player sponsorships, while team sponsorship opportunities will also be made available. IYSA may provide nonprofit documentation and tax letters for donations.

Yes. Scholarships for Idaho ODP are available only to players selected after tryouts to help with participation costs. Our official scholarship application opens after tryouts conclude.
If the tryout fee is a concern, please contact ODP Staff at IYSA. We can consider refunding the tryout fee due to financial hardship or putting the fee towards program costs if selected, but proof of need is required.

The Idaho ODP scholarship application is available after tryouts for players who are selected their age group team. Scholarships are need-based and require submission of an application along with documentation of financial hardship.
As part of the scholarship process, players and families will be expected to complete volunteer hours in exchange for financial support. This helps offset program costs and supports IYSA operations. More details, including deadlines and expectations, will be shared once the application opens after tryouts.

Yes, Idaho ODP can offer payment plans to help spread out the cost of participation. After tryouts if your player is selected, please contact your program admin. to discuss available options and find a plan that works for your family’s budget.

Prior to the program start in September to give each player family the opportunity for their player’s spot in the program to be saved while we work with each player family directly to assist them in making the program an available opportunity.

Scholarships are designed to assist with direct program costs in partial or full amount, including kits. These are set to offset but not eliminate total costs, as travel and lodging/meals are not included within scholarship amounts for program fees.