How typical is this photo?

The Best Form of Athletic Development for Children

Emma Friend

Children’s Reasons for Participating in Sport

• To have fun • To improve skills • To be with friends • To be part of a team • To experience excitement • To receive rewards• To win • To become physically fit

(Wankel & Kreisel, 1985)

Côté - Developmental Model of Sports Participation

Early specialisation

1. The specialising/investment years

Early diversification

1. The Sampling years

2. The Specialising years

3. The investment years

Sampling Years

Deliberate play!

Many sports

Backyard sport

Relaxed rules

6-12yrs

Côté - Developmental Model of Sports Participation

Early specialisation

1. The specialising years

2. The investment years

Early diversification

1. The Sampling years

2a. The recreational years

2b. The Specialising years

3. The investment years

Recreational Years

Social/recreational interest

Low levels of deliberate practice

Age-appropriate competition

12+ yrs

Specialising Years

Fewer sports

Deliberate practice

Skill development

13-15yrs

Investment Years

One distinct sport

Performance

Specific training

16+ yrs

Balyi - Long Term Athlete Development

Early Specialisation Model

1. Training to train

2. Training to complete

3. Training to win

4. Retirement/Retainment

Late Specialisation Model

1.Fundamentals

2.Learning to train

3. Training to train

4.Training to complete

5.Training to win

6.Retirement/Retainment

FUNdamentals

Enjoyment!

Many sports

Fun games and activities

Boys: 6-9yrs Girls: 5-8yrs

Learning to Train

General sports skills

Knowledge of sports related areas

Enjoyment

Boys: 9-12yrsGirls: 8-11yrs

Training to Train

Physical capabilities

Sports specific skills

Competition specific training

Competition

Boys: 12-16yrsGirls: 11-15yrs

Training to Compete

Performance and Competition!

Technical and tactical skills

Other aspects

Boys: 16-18yrsGirls: 15-17yrs

Training to Win

Performance!

Major competitions

Competition focused training

Boys: 18+ yrsGirls: 17+ yrs

Retirement/Retainment

Coaching

Officiating

Administration

How much Sports Specific Training is Enough?

The Effects of Specialisation on Athletic Development

Physiological Perspective for Elite Success

Late Specialisation

• Increase in strength • Increase in speed and agility• Improved cardiovascular endurance • Improved gross motor coordination and

balance

Physiological Perspective Cont.

Early Specialisation

• Increase risk of over training • Increase risk of over use injuries • Over training – may cause problems to

growth, stunted growth, and problems with epithseal growth plates

Psychological Perspective

Late Specialisation

• Development of game sense • Development of automatic decision making • Fosters positive peer relationships • Development of life skills • Helps develop multiple coping strategies

needed in different sports

Psychological Perspective

Early Specialisation

• Decrease intrinsic motivation • Increase risk of dropout • Increase risk of athletic burnout

Summary

• Reasons for participation • Côté - Developmental Model of Sports

Participation • Balyi – Long Term Athlete Development

Model • Physiological Perspective • Psychological Perspective

References • Bailey, R., Collins, D., Ford, P., Macnamara, Á., Toms, M. & Pearce G.

(2010). Participant development in sport: An academic review. Pg101. • Baker, J. (2003). Early specialisation in youth sport: a requirement for

adult expertise? High Ability Studies. 14(1)• Baker, J., Cobley, S. & Fraser-Thomas J. (2009). What do we know about

early sport specialization? Not much. High Ability Studies. 20(1):77-90. • Baker, J., Cote, J. & Abernethy, B. (2003) Sport-specific practice and the

development of expert decision-making in team ball sports. Journal of Applied Sports Psychology. 15(1):12-25.

• Callender, S. (2010). The early specialisation of youths in sport. Athletic Training & Sports Health Care: The Journal for the Practicing Clinician. 2(6): 255-258.

• Cote, J., Lidor, R. & Hackfort D. (2009). ISSP position stand: to sample or to specialise? Seven postulates about youth sport activities that lead to continued participation and elite performance. International Journal of Sports and Exercise Psychology. 7(1):11-18.

References Continued • Fransen, J., Pion, J., Vandendriessche, J., Vandorpe, B., Vaeyens, R., Lenoir, M. &

Philippaerts, R. (2012). Differences in physical fitness and gross motor coordination in boys aged 6-12 years specializing in one verses sampling more than one sport. Journal of Sports Sciences. 30(4):379-387.

• Stanlan, T. K., Babkes, M. I. & Scanlan, L. A, (2005), Participation in sport; A developmental glimpse at emotion. In J. L. Mahoncy, R. W. Larson. &J.S, ticles (ííls.). Organized activities as contexts nf dn-elupmetit (pp. 275-.1Í0). Mahwah, NJ: Uicrance Erlbiums, Inc., Publishers.

• Wankel, L. M. & Kreisel, P. S. J. (1985). Factors underlying enjoyment of youth sports: Sport and age group comparisons . Journal of Sports Psychology. 7:51-64.

• Wiersma, L. (2000). Risks and benefits of youth sport specialisation: perspectives and recommendations. Pediatric Exercise Science. 12(1):13-22.

• Yoo, |. (2001) CÀjping Protile of Korean Competitive Athletes. International Journal of Sport of Sport Psychology. 32 (2)0-03.

Picture References Images were either sourced via creative commons or my own personal images.

Pictures on title page (clockwise from top left) • “Golf Thursdays” by chispita_666• “Silhouettes” by Tezza #• “Sunny Saturday at the Park” by chispita_666• “Where Amazing Happens” by N. Calzas• “Balls” by teachernz• “Tennis ball” by Cory Schadt

Slide 23 • “Podium Renault World Series 3.5” by Marz Photography

Slide 24 • “Primary School Children, Sports Day” by Anthea Sieveking