Position Statement
We must stop trying to emulate/replicate the Eastern European model of LTAD. In worked in the context of that socio political environment, that society no longer exists. Certainly we can look at elements that will work in our society and deal with our reality. We must also recognize that in the past in the US and Australia some aspects of LTAD where done quite well, both by chance and design. ? That is context of what I plan to present today.
Crucial Questions
What are the career path expectations of athletes in your sport?
What is the Long Term Development model in your sport?
How do you account or nurture of natural development?
What is the final result??
Defining the Young Athlete
Growth ? Increase in size of the body as a whole
Maturation ? Progress toward biological maturity
Development ? Acquiring behavioral competence
Athletically Gifted
Anointed as the next _______
What does that mean?
Accepted Norm – 10 years/10,000 hours ? Is that realistic?
Not a seamless process ? must earn the rite of passage through each stage of development
Achievement Zones
Zone One is the foundation. This is where the athlete starts. They get familiar with training. They learn routine. The work is more general in nature. They get in a comfort zone.
Zone Two is the performance zone. Here they learn to be uncomfortable. They intensity is higher. There is a narrower focus.
Zone Three is the high performance zone. This is the zone where many are called and few are chosen. The focus is laser like. This demands the highest level of commitment. Everything here is purposeful, mindful and directed. There is no fluff. This is where the big dogs play.
Balyi Model – Traditional
Initiation Stage
FUNdamental Stage
Training to Train
Training to Compete
Training to Win
Retire/Retraining
Contemporary Revisionist Model
The Process
Identify the athlete ? This should be generic
Track ? Observe & Guide
Develop ? Give them the tools
Recognize & Account For:
Fast Adaptors
Slow Adaptors
Direct & Redirect ? Must not lose talent
Developing a mindset
Growth Mindset
The belief that you can cultivate basic qualities for success
Seek the challenge and thrive on it
Effort is OK and failure is an opportunity for growth
Fixed Mindset
Everything is about outcome, not process
Success or failure defines you
They are often carried away with their superiority so they do not learn how to do the work and cope with setbacks
Teach them how to fail
Failure is a learning opportunity
Do not protect them from failure
Learning a lifestyle ? 24 Hour Athlete
Must consider GENDER differences ? too much lip service
Most females programs are imitation of male programs
Coaching Boys Coaching Girls
Coaching Boys & Girls
MUST consider all aspects of development
Emotional Cognitive
Ethical Socio/Cultural
Culture of the Sport
Background of the Athletic
Ethnic
Advantaged or disadvantaged
Parental, siblings or relatives accomplishments
The Role of the Parent
Parental Overinvestment
Hyper Parenting
Helicopter Mom or dad
Overprotection
Don?t let them fail ? Lake Wobegon Effect
Over programming
Play time becomes work time
Teach them to love movement and exercise!!!
Do not punish with exercise!!!
Coaching is the key to LTAD
Transport System Escort System
The System
Principle based, not sport based
Can you fit the program to the athlete, not the athlete to the program?
Problems/Concerns
Chronological age dominates training and competition from ages 11 to 16
?Critical Periods? are not recognized by coaches
Low training to competition ratio in early training ages
Adult competition schedule is imposed on children
Competitive calendar governed by tradition rather than growth and development and pedagogy
Adult training programs are imposed on children
Male programs are imposed on females
Very little sport science, sports medicine input in youth and developing athletes training programs