During this stage there are sensitive, critical periods of accelerated adaptation to training, or optimal windows or trainability, and therefore this stage is seen as the major learning stage for basic overall sports skills due to the fact that the period between 9 and 12 years has been identified as one of the most important for the development of childrens skill learning.

 

The basic skills identified at the preceding FUNdamental stage should be practiced and progressed during this stage in order to acquire the basic technical skills across a wide range of sports/activities.

 

Towards the end of this stage, children may choose to continue with sport via competitive or recreational activities (as shown in the Pathways within LTAD diagram).  Although LTAD aims to develop sporting talent, positive experiences within the first two stages and successful achievement of physical literacy by participants can positively contribute to lifelong physical activity.

 

While young participants are aiming to do their best and win during competitive events, coaches should be emphasizing and encouraging young participants to master the most important sports specific skills during this stage.

 

Activities that promote well-coordinated movements and basic techniques should be emphasized.  Well-structured and sequenced training programmes should develop the other performance components further.

 

While learning to train, young participants should devote approximately 80% of their time to training and 20% to formal competitive events, although this may vary from sport to sport.  The actual time devoted to formal competitions should be reflected in the 20% guidelines, not the competitive activities used in training.  The difference between training and competing in team sports and individual sports must also be appreciated here.

 

Recommendations for a practice plan for a 90-minute session with 9 10 year olds is as follows:

For more information on LTAD, visit www.sportscoachuk.org, or attend the Introduction to Long Term Athlete Development workshop (click here for details of when this workshop is available)