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Jeff
Pill is currently a Women's National Staff coach for US Soccer, serving our
Region. He is also the assistant coach with the U19 Women's National Team
that are attempting to qualify for the upcoming 2004 Youth World Cup.
He has his national "A" license and is a National Staff Coach with US
Soccer. He is also a FIFA Technical Assistant.
Coach Resources
WHY PLAY ODP?
Over the past several years,
it has been my privilege, and challenge, to work with the ODP program in
many different capacities. I have been able to work as a district coach,
assistant state coach, head state coach, regional coach, and most recently,
with the national teams. It is from this perspective that I offer the
following thoughts as to why players should play ODP, and what their goals
and mind set should be as they approach the ODP season.
It has been my observation
that the people who get the most out of the program are the ones that look
upon the ODP opportunity as a chance to further their development as a
player. This is done primarily from the opportunity that presents itself
from playing with and against some of the best players in their state and
region. To these individuals, ODP is looked upon as a way of supplementing
their local or club environments. It is a chance to train with a competent
coach who also recognizes the developmental opportunities that arrive from
playing in a highly competitive and challenging arena.
People that look upon the ODP
experience solely as a chance to have a shot at making the regional or
national team, or who see it as a vehicle in which a college scholarship is
to be obtained are rarely rewarded for their efforts. In fact, these
individuals frequently are so disappointed that they drop out of the program
after only one or two years, just at the time when the real benefits are
actualized. In fact, since they are often striving for something that they
have no true control over, they find nothing but despair.
Therefore, it is critical that
the players, parents, administrators, and coaches all, look upon this
opportunity as a tremendous challenge. They should see what can be learned,
put themselves in an environment that demands that they reach beyond their
comfort level, strive to be the best that they can be, and improve as
players and as people.
Having said this, I wish you
all the best as you participate in the ODP program! Wether or not the final
team is made is not as important as the fact you were willing to take the
risk to tryout. If you make the pool, I hope you find the program to be
worth while as you strive to improve as a player. Remember, you get out of
this what you put in to it. If you do not "make it", I trust that you use
the experience to inspire you to continue to work hard to improve and come
back again next year.
*Coaching Education
* Player Development *Coaching Network*
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