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.

Continued on next page

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)

Continued on next page

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.

Continued on next page

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.

Continued on next page

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 2nd 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.

Continued on next page

Summary of Programming and Age Groups for 2017-2018 Season

Year of Birth Eligible for: Dates Membership Type

2000 Youth Camp and All-Star Team-High School Seniors

Camps Sept-Oct, National Championships Feb and March

Camps-Silver Nat’ Champs-Gold

2001 Youth Camp and Team Camps Sept-Oct, National Championships Feb and March

Camps-Silver Nat’ Champs-Gold

2002 Youth Camp and Team Camps Sept-Oct, Nat Championships Feb and March

Camps-Silver Nat’ Champs-Gold

2003 Cadet Camp and Team Camps Sept-Oct, National Championships Feb and March

Camps-Silver Nat ‘Champs-Gold

2002-2003

Futures Camp-International (Invite only) Early August Gold

2004-2005

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

Trial, Bronze, Silver, Gold

2004 Development Camp and Team Camps Sept-Oct, National Championships Feb and March

Camps-Silver Nat’ Champs-Gold

2005 Development Camp and Team Camps Sept-Oct, National Championships Feb and March

Camps-Silver Nat’ Champs-Gold

2006 Development Camp and Team Camps Sept-Oct, National Championships Feb and March

Camps-Silver Nat’ Champs-Gold

2006 11 and Under Skills Clinic and Festival Camps Oct-Nov, Festival Dec

Trial, Bronze, Silver, Gold

2007 11 and Under Skills Clinic and Festival Camps Oct-Nov, Festival Dec

Trial, Bronze, Silver, Gold

2008 11 and Under Skills Clinic and Festival Camps Oct-Nov, Festival Dec

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.

Continued on next page

ODP – Mission and Operations

ODP Pipeline

System

Below you will see the ODP pipeline system and how it feeds towards the

national team programming:

Continued on next page

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.

Continued on next page

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 8th

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 year-

round 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)

Boys – April 6-8, 2018

Girls – May 25-28, 2018

National Pipeline

Team Trainings &

Competition

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