Announcement

Juniors Registration Now Open - Register Now

REGISTER NOW

Ohio Premier Player Placement Process

A Better Way to Find the Right Soccer Club

Traditional tryouts can be stressful and don’t always create an environment that enables the player to reflect the player’s true ability. Our Player Placement Process (PPP) provides multiple evaluation opportunities to ensure players are placed in the best environment for their development.

Why Our Process Works

More Than Just a Tryout

Players are evaluated over time, not in a single session.

Less Stress, More Clarity

Families get a clearer understanding of the process and how players are evaluated.

Better Development Fit

We focus on long-term growth for every player, not just making a team.

Two Ways to Participate

Option 01

FOR u13-u19 only

Attend an ECNL ID Session

RECOMMENDED for ECNL-Level Players

ECNL ID Sessions provide high-level players currently competing at a comparable level an opportunity to enter the Player Placement Process early within an ECNL training environment.

✔ Evaluation within a realistic ECNL training session.

✔ Observation by OP ECNL staff as part of the Player Placement Process.

✔ Opportunity for earlier feedback and placement consideration.

✔ Designed for players pursuing ECNL-level competition.

Registrations are reviewed prior to confirmation. When appropriate, players may be directed toward traditional tryouts to ensure the best evaluation environment.

Why Attend an ECNL ID Session?

  • Begins the Player Placement Process in a high-performance environment.
  • Allows coaches to evaluate players in a high-level environment and provide feedback for player growth.
  • Smaller, focused player pool aligned with ECNL standards.
  • Earlier placement decisions for better planning.
SIGN UP FOR AN ECNL ID SESSION

Option 02

Traditional Tryouts

For players entering the Player Placement Process outside of an ECNL ID session, traditional tryout dates provide structured evaluation opportunities where players will:

✔ Participate in drills and small-sided games to demonstrate technical and tactical skills.

✔ Be grouped with similarly skilled players to assess technical proficiency and problem-solving ability.

✔ Receive placement decisions after all evaluations are completed.

SIGN UP FOR TRADITIONAL TRYOUTS

2025-2026 Traditional Tryout Schedule

WEEK 1:

Boys & Girls Competitive Programs U13-U19

Location: Ohio Premier Training Facility (8820 US-42 Plain City, OH 43064)

U13 (2013)  – May 13 & 15 6:30 PM

U14 (2012) – May 13 & 15 5:00 PM

U15 (2011) – May 12 & 14 5:00 PM

U16 (2010) – May 12 & 14 6:30 PM

U17 (2009) – May 13 & 15 8:00 PM

U18/19 (2007/2008) – May 12 & 14 8:00 PM

WEEK 2:

Boys & Girls Dublin Academy Programs U8-U10+

&

Boys & Girls Dublin & Upper Arlington Competitive Programs U11 & U12***

 Location: Darree Soccer Fields (6259 Cosgray Rd Dublin, OH 43016)

U8 (2019/2018) – May 20 & 22 5:15 PM

U9 (2017) – May 20 & 22 5:15 PM

U10 (2016) – May 20 & 22 6:45 PM

U11 (2015) – May 19 & 21 6:45 PM – Upper Arlington & Dublin based teams.***

U12 (2014) – May 19 & 21 5:15 PM – Upper Arlington & Dublin based teams.***

WEEK 3:

Boys & Girls Upper Arlington Academy Programs U8-U10

Location: Sunny 95 Park (4395 Carriage Hill Ln Upper Arlington, OH 43220)

U8 (2019/2018) – May 27th & 29th 5:15 PM

U9 (2017) – May 27th & 29th 5:15 PM

U10 (2016) – May 27th & 29th 6:45 PM

U11 (2015) & U12 (2014) – See week 2***

REGISTER NOW

**May 16th, 23rd, and 30th are backup dates in the event of rain/inclement weather cancellations**

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The Player Placement Process (PPP) is how Ohio Premier evaluates and places players on teams. Unlike a traditional tryout, where decisions are made based on a single session, The PPP allows for multiple evaluation opportunities over time.

We believe that a player’s ability can’t always be accurately assessed in one short tryout. Some players perform better in real-game settings, while others may need a few sessions to truly show their capabilities. By offering both ID session evaluations and structured assessment dates, we ensure that every player has the best chance to be placed in the right environment for their development.

Traditional tryouts are often high-pressure, one-day events where players must perform at their best in a short period of time. This approach can be stressful and unreliable—some players may have an off day, while others might struggle to stand out in a crowded tryout environment.

When players attend ID sessions this allows us to evaluate the player over time, giving coaches a more complete picture of their abilities 

This approach also gives families more clarity and less uncertainty—rather than waiting for a single tryout result, some players will receive earlier placement decisions through the training session process.

At OP, we evaluate players using a holistic approach that goes beyond just technical skills. We consider:

  • Technical Ability – How well a player controls, passes, and strikes the ball.
  • Tactical Awareness – Understanding of the game, movement off the ball, and decision-making.
  • Work Ethic & Coachability – How players respond to coaching, their effort level, and their willingness to put the effort in to improve.
  • Overall Fit – How a player’s skills and personality align with our club’s playing philosophy and team dynamics.

Players can showcase these qualities in two ways: by attending ID sessions and/or by participating in a traditional tryout evaluation session.

Our Player Placement Process happens in 3 key phases:

  1. ID Session Evaluations (Early May) – Players train in an ID session, allowing coaches to evaluate them in a real training environment.
  2. Traditional Tryout Evaluation Dates(Early-Mid May) – Players who haven’t been evaluated through ID sessions or want more opportunities for evaluation can attend structured tryout sessions. Dates vary by age group and location.
  3. Placement Decisions & Communication (Ongoing from Early - Late May) – Depending on what option works best for your player, OP works diligently to give families placement decisions in a timely manner. Please keep in mind if you desire an opportunity to receive an earlier placement decision, players who register for our recommended option 1 ID session option will potentially receive earlier placement decisions than those attending a traditional evaluation. After all sessions for an age group are completed, families will receive placement decisions in a timely manner. Some players may receive earlier placement decisions if they participated in ID sessions.

View the 2025/2026 OP Soccer Fee Schedule